This being my second year of covering events for CRS, and after learning the hard way last year that you can't cram everything into your schedule without some heavy, sleep deprived consequences, I decided this year if I couldn't be in by midnight I wouldn't go. That plan of action lasted all of one night. On Thursday morning, Keith Urban's fan club made a very surprise announcement that Keith would be performing at City Hall Performance Center THAT NIGHT. Members living within a two hundred mile radius of Nashville were sent emails that morning with details of how the admittance would work. It was gonna be a free concert to the first and only first 250 fan club members. That balance of the audience would be Capitol Music's label personnel and pre-approved media already in town covering CRS events.
This very private and intimate concert had been thrown together in a hurry and hush-hush for two days. When the announcement was made, fans started showing up at the venue almost nine hours before the concert was to begin. High winds, rain and even tornado warnings in the surrounding areas couldn't keep some dedicated fans from showing up to take their place in line. After the very rainy weather passed, the cold set in. It was a very long wait for them given the weather and an experience like that can really work up an appetite. One group of fans even ordered pizza and had it delivered.
Shortly before 10:00 PM fans were let inside and soon discovered they had the best spots in the house. A huge area right up front at the stage had been reserved for them only. With no barrier between them and the stage, those lucky enough to be in the front row were only two feet away from Keith.
Keith took the stage at 10:30 and began a totally "winged" set. Winged because he just wanted to play, and play whatever struck his fancy. No set list and no agenda. I've been to many of his shows previously and being one of those pizza ordering, waited in line for hours dedicated fans. I can honestly say Keith was at his best ever that night. Looking relaxed, fit and at ease, he wowed the entire house with song after song. A 22 song set that included songs from all 4 US released albums, a few cover songs thrown in the mix and a very special appearance by Keith's good friend Ronnie Dunn who sang "Brand New Man." Ronnie also had some very kind words of encouragement for a very humbled Urban before leaving the stage.
One of the best highlights of the evening actually came after the show was over. Keith returned to the stage and met the fans. Starting at one end of the stage and ending on the other, Keith shook hands, signed autographs and briefly spoke with anyone lucky enough to make their way to the stage. After already giving them a Guitar God, 2 hour+ evening of one hit song after another, Keith threw in his own special way with the fans and gave them one night of entertainment that might not ever be matched.