Reba McEntire performed at Konocti Harbor Resort in Kelseyville, CA on July 10, 2004. She was in the outdoor amphitheater, and the place was totally full.
I had seats in the 8th row, and will have one row closer later in the year when I go back to see Brooks & Dunn with Gretchen Wilson. I think my pictures turned out pretty darn good. Hope you enjoy them as well.
Reba has been off the road for four years, working on her tv show, Reba, and performing on Broadway as Annie Oakley. From the sold out crowd, you can tell the fans truly missed Miss Reba and were anxious to see her perform again.
Reba is truly an entertainer, having been performing for 28 - 29 years, she shows that she still has what it takes to draw a crowd. While the night didn't include the numerous costume changes of the past, nor fancy dance numbers, you didn't feel short changed one bit. Every song Reba sang was a genuine hit, and near the start of her show she explained that she'd be performing the numbers that were her favorites to sing. She picked some great ones, and no one left disappointed that I could see.
The show was opened by a local group called "The Mother Truckers." The group played an acoustic set for about 45 - 50 minutes, even through some horrible sound problems which affected their vocal mics. Their instruments could be heard, but you couldn't really hear them through most of one song, but they didn't let it affect them, and they continued playing and finally the sound guys fixed the problem and they completed the song. Everyone gave them a big hand for being so professional about it and not just walking off stage. After the mics started working they said "How about we play some kazoos?" and then when they actually brought out the kazoos and people were looking surprised, the lead vocalist said "You thought we were kidding about the kazoos?"
If you'd like to listen to some of the Mother Truckers music, you can listen to sound samples at their website.
There was about a 20 minute intermission between the acts as the stage was set for Reba. Her band hit the stage around 8:20 pm and the lights went down and the screen at the rear of the stage played the commercial Reba has for Habitat for Humanity, which is a sponsor for her tour this year, along with Whirlpool.
After the video played, Reba rose from the center of the upper level singing "So Good Together." Her second song was "Whoever's In New England."
Between the songs Reba was greeted with long applause, showing her how much she was missed, and she seemed rather surprised at all the appreciation.
As I said above, Reba sang most of her hits, from "You Lie," to "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia" to "The Greatest Man I Never Knew," "I'm a Survivor," "Somebody," "And Still," and of course "Fancy," each one better than the last.
One of the most touching moments had to be when Reba dedicated "Forever Love" to the men and women in the armed forces, and their families at home. As she sang, photos of soldiers and their families were displayed on the rear screen.
Another special guest was Linda Davis, who sang background vocals, and also took a turn center stage on her own, singing "Love Sneakin' Up On You." And of course, Reba and Linda sang their duet "Does He Love You?" together, which was a real treat. That one got a long standing ovation.
After they sang their duet, Reba left the stage, and later came back for a one song encore. The popular "Fancy." We knew it was coming when the video played on the rear screen, and then Reba came back from stage left to sing the song.
Reba was truly missed, and it seems she feels the same, as she gave an exceptional performance that night. I'd seen her twice before singing more production-filled numbers, but I didn't feel cheated that she didn't include any of these. The show was just as enjoyable, filled with hits, and how can you go wrong with Reba?
Awesome says it.
Song List:
- So Good Together
- Whoever's in New England
- How Was I To Know
- You Lie
- The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia
- I'm Gonna Take That Mountain
- The Greatest Man I Never Knew
- Fear of Being Alone
- Letting Go
- Somebody
Intro Band, and Special Guest Linda Davis - Love Sneakin' Up On You -- Linda Davis
- One Honest Heart
- Forever Love
- I'm a Survivor
- And Still
- Is There Life Out There
- Does He Love You? (duet with Linda Davis)
- Encore
- Fancy