The evening started while my husband and I were standing in the meet and greet line for Taylor Swift and Jack Ingram. Three young cowboys got in line behind us and were fussing about meeting Taylor Swift. They were nervous and trying to figure out what they were going to say to her. I thought it was funny since I had the opportunity to meet Taylor and she has got to be one of the most down to earth and sweetest people I met during my time in Nashville. However, these guys were really getting themselves worked up about it. Then, one stated that he needed gum, so I asked him if he wanted some of my gum and he looked suprised and asked me if I was sure, and I replied "Yes, it's ok, you don't want to talk to Taylor with bad breath." He took my entire pack and put it in his pocket because he was so nervous. I just let him keep the gum since he needed something to calm his nerves. I took that opportunity to tell the guys that she is very nice and there was nothing to be nervous about. I think that helped them a little bit.
Once inside the tent, we struck up a conversation with a couple and their youngest daughter Christine, standing in front of us. Christine is a huge Taylor Swift fan. When it was their turn to meet Taylor her mom told me that she only had one picture left on her disposable camera and she hoped it would turn out. I told her that I would be willing to take some pictures of Christine and Taylor if it was alright with the management. So I explained the situation to the manager and he said it was alright to take extra pictures of them. The mom gave me her email address and thanked me for doing that. To see the way the girl reacted to Taylor, and to see Taylor take time with this young girl was so precious. This is something Christine will remember for the rest of her life so I was more than happy to help foster that memory in a small way.
When it was my turn to meet with Taylor she recognized me right away and gave me a big Taylor hug. I introduced my husband to her and they said hello. I told her it was good to see her again and she signed my CD cover and my CD, which is now on my office wall. I let her know that I was there to do a review of her show tonight. We talked for a bit and I wished her well and said goodbye.
After we talked with Taylor we got in line to see Jack Ingram. Jack walked into the tent and since my husband and I were first in line I didn't get much of a chance to talk to him because a lot of people were waiting behind us. When I approached Jack he gave me that big, warm, wonderful smile of his. I told him it was great to see him again and he stated that it was good to see me too. I asked him how the tour was going and he stated "GREAT." That is good to hear. I told him that I was there to do a review of his show and he told me that he was only going to be singing six songs. My mind immediately started racing, wondering which six songs he would sing. Jack has such an incredibly rich collection of music to draw from that it has to be very hard to narrow it down to 6 songs. He signed my This Is It CD, and I introduced him to my husband, and we all took our picture together. I was excited to finally get a chance to see him perform in concert. We said goodbye and I wished him well and headed off to find out seats.
There was some sort of mix up with my media credentials so I was actually outside the venue trying to find the contact person when Kellie Pickler took the stage. Unfortunately I missed the first song of her set but I believe that it was called "I Just Want To See You." The crowd was very receptive to Kellie and she signed autographs throughout the show for the fans that approached the catwalks. Her next song was an up-tempo and fun song called "Things That Never Cross A Man's Mind." This is one of my favorite songs off her debut album, Small Town Girl. Kellie amazes you with a powerful delivery of "Didn't You Know How Much I Loved You." It takes you back when you hear that strong yet sweet voice come out of that tiny person. It was fun to hear her set up the next song as she talks about Dolly Parton being her idol. When she broke into "9 to 5" the crowd was clapping along and she even signed her autograph on someone's red shoe without missing a beat. Kellie was standing out on the middle catwalk when a stage hand brought out a stool. I thought to myself, well this is new, but I like it. Kellie sat down and took the time to talk with the audience and tell them how much it means to her when people tell her know how much her music helps them in their lives. She went on to tell us about a woman who was going through a ugly divorce and her health was suffering and she just didn't have the strength to fight any more. She hit bottom and just couldn't go on like that any longer so she decided to leave the kids with her husband and walk away. So she loaded up the car and got in to leave when the song "I Wonder" came on the radio. The lady stopped in her tracks and listened to that song, and decided that she couldn't do that to her own daughter. As Kellie was telling this story you could hear the emotion build in her voice and see the tears in her eyes as the music began for her current hit "I Wonder." This was the fourth time I've seen her perform this song in the last 3 months and each time I hear her perform this song it gives me goose bumps. Each time there is a different life altering story that procedes it; each time you hear about how this song has affected people, and each time it sounds incredible. When I hear Kellie perform that song I am grateful that I didn't have to know that pain. The standing ovation by the crowd brought a new level of emotion to the performance. Kellie is open and honest with the audience about her life and where her songs come from. This is another quality that endures her to the fans. As the time drew near for her to end her set she told everyone to stand up, cause she's been standing all night. She got everyone up out of their seats and clapping along as she sang "Red High Heels." Kellie put on an excellent performance.
