We drove straight to the venue. Right across the street from the venue was a hotel. We never thought that they would have any
vacancies. Boy were we surprised when they did. We just needed showers. Well just showers, turned into a quick nap. Eventually
we made our way over to the venue to see if we could find any tickets. This was the first show all year that I didn’t see anyone
outside selling tickets. Yes, we did check the box office that was our first stop. They were sold out. We really thought that we
could find tickets. Well with no tickets to be found we decided to find a shady spot in the parking lot to hangout, and we got really
comfortable there. We were right by the bus compound. Actually our shade, was the back of one of Kenny’s trucks. It really
wasn’t too hot, but in the sun you could really feel it. So we got some chairs and set up our makeshift tailgate party for the last
show of the tour, of which we didn’t have tickets.
While tailgating by the truck, we got to see lots of people. A lot of fans were there just hanging out by the buses. A lot of the
band members and other KC employees were out and about. It was definitely interesting. I finally got to meet Bobbie and Melissa,
which was very exciting. Melissa was in a wheelchair, but she could get up and walk a bit. The wheelchair was more so that she
didn’t wear herself out. She looked great for all that she’s been through, it’s just incredible that she’s up and walking
now.
While sitting there with my roadtrip buddies, a girl came up to me and asked if I was Ally. I was a bit scared at first, but said thatâ
€™s me. She introduced herself, and then told me that she heard all about my trip to South Carolina and my decision to come to
Kentucky, to a sold-out show without having a ticket. Thanks Mr. P, apparently Mr. P went on a posting frenzy while his wife,
Donna, was in South Carolina with us, and he hasn’t slowed down yet. This girl, Amanda (AKA budgal) asked if I found any
tickets yet, which we didn’t. She knew someone that was working at the ticket gate, and she told me that she would ask her
friend if there were any tickets around. She felt horrible that my friends and me drove so far and wouldn’t be able to see the
show. With that she left. About ten minutes later she comes back, looking very sad. She felt just horrible that she couldn’t get
us any tickets. At this point, we were glad that we made the attempt to be in Kentucky and it didn’t matter if we saw the show
or not. We were having a good time, just as we always do. Then as the show is about to start, here comes Amanda. She has two
tickets in her hand. Some guy had two extra tickets when he was going through the gate. He gave the extra tickets to Amanda’s
friend, thinking that maybe she knew someone that could use them. Amanda’s friend then calls Amanda to tell her that she got
two tickets, and Amanda came right out to us. She felt bad that it was only two tickets. It was up to the four of us to decide who
got to see the show. Nikki and Lisa right away said that Jen and I should go see the show.
The night before I felt horrible not being able to see the show with Jen, now tonight I would miss Nikki. It just didn’t seem
right. Jen and I didn’t want to be the only two to see the final show. They kept insisting and eventually Jen and I did venture
into the venue. Keith Urban was halfway through his set. We had known earlier in the day that Kenny bought Keith a brand new
motorcycle as an end of tour gift. Kenny was supposed to give it to him during his set. It was already on the stage when we got
near our seats. Someone said that it was on stage from the start of the show and that Keith didn’t notice it right away. It would
have been nice to see that part, but we were in no rush getting in. We just kept debating over who should see the show.
This venue did things right. You could go outside during the intermission or any part of the show. So as soon as Keith was done,
we went right outside to see Nikki and Lisa. Somehow, we managed to get near our seats before Kenny came off the elevator. I
would say from the start of the second verse of LIVE THOSE SONGS, I started crying, and I didn’t stop until the show was
over. It was so sad, but exciting at the same time. I called so many people that night, most of who were very surprised to find out
that I was in Kentucky. I remember one person, “ally what the he** are you doing in Kentucky�. My reply, as I’m
crying, “came to see Kenny.�
In spite of my crying, it was a great show. Now, this whole weekend, Tim Hensley didn’t sing one word. There wasn’t
even a microphone in front of him. Apparently he was put on voice rest, which meant he couldn’t sing, Doctor’s orders.
Nick took over Tim’s backup vocals. Now, Nick I’ve heard sing before. When we went to the taping of the Today Show
concert last year, while we were waiting for Kenny to appear, the band was just trying to pass time. Sean started playing this beat
on his drums, eventually Wyatt kicked in with some Piano. Before you knew it, the whole band was jamming and Nick was singing
some song. He sounded very good. I still have no clue what song that was, but it was good. So Nick can sing and has a good voice,
but he’s not Tim. Tim’s voice blends with Kenny’s so much better. I could tell the difference, but then again, I’ve
been to so many shows. If someone went to their first show, they might not have missed anything, but for me, I missed Tim’s
voice.
This night, in Kentucky, Kenny comes out for the encore. He’s singing the TRACTOR song. Now, I’ve been missing
Tim’s voice, but for this show, something is just wrong. I always have my binoculars with me at every show, not that you need
them from the first 15 rows, but they always travel with me. It’s a good thing I had them for this show. Okay, so something
was really wrong with this song. It wasn’t bad, just really different. Then as I’m looking at the stage, I notice the drummer
is bald. Now Sean might be getting a little light on top, but he’s definitely not a shiner. Then I notice the keyboard player has a
head full of hair, which is really strange since Wyatt recently shaved his head. Then my sharpie skills finally kick in; I look at the
stage through my binoculars. I see Keith’s drummer and keyboard player. Then I look at Tim, who decided to wear his trench
coat for this show, and it’s not Tim, it’s Scott from Keith’s band wearing Tim’s coat. Then I notice the fiddle
player isn’t hobbling across the stage, he’s walking quite easily. It was Jason from Keith’s band also. Turns out Keith
and his whole band were on stage for this song. That’s what was so wrong with the sound. There was no Tim and now, no
Wyatt singing along with Kenny. And then to top it all off, there’s a guy standing in the corner by the Keyboards playing a
Tuba with a sign on it ‘SHE THINKS MY TUBA’S SEXY.’ When Kenny noticed the tuba player, he laughed, while
walking this guy all over the stage so that everyone could see him.
At one point during the encore, Jen and I both notice the camera guys running up to the elevator and putting their cameras towards
the flooring while pointing them towards the center of the elevator. We both got excited, we knew we were getting one of the nightâ
€™s surprises. You could hear the music for My Town, while Kenny is saying something to the effect that he doesn’t
normally sing this song. Then the crowd erupts into spontaneous applause as you suddenly see Eddie and Troy standing right at
the top of the elevator. It was like a repeat of last night, just no MG band. They really had a good time.
Then for the next surprise, the camera guys didn’t give it away this time. Just all of a sudden there he was TIM McGraw,
standing at the top of Kenny’s elevator. He came out and did two of his songs. Meanwhile Montgomery Gentry never left the
stage. Eventually some more performers came out. I didn’t know who they were, but later found out it was the Warren
Brothers and Shannon Brown (actually I’m thinking that’s not her last name). This show just seemed to go on forever. All
the while, I cried.
When it was all said and done, I was so glad that we went to Kentucky and that Amanda was able to get us tickets. I don’t
think I could ever thank her enough. Through a lot of the show, especially before the encore, I just watched the crowd and their
reaction to Kenny. It’s amazing the effect he has on a crowd. Eventually it did end, and we met up with Lisa and Nikki again.
They were able to go see a bit of the ending of the show. After we said goodbye to the friends that we had made, we headed back to
the hotel to put our jammies on for the ride back to New York, and were on our way back to the Northeast by 2 AM.
Wow, another tour over with. I made it to 13 MARGARITAS AND SENORITAS shows and one Willie Nelson birthday bash,
which makes 14 times that I got to see Kenny perform this year in nine different states. I got to see shows on the East Coast and on
the West Coast. I got to see shows up and down the whole East Coast. Plus I even went to a show on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
It’s incredible that I’ve gotten to meet so many people and the lasting friendships that I’ve made. I really treasure the
time that we got to spend together. There were so many great roadtrips. I would really love to do the Florida trip again, especially
the night of the Jax show, and maybe slow that night down just a bit and what I wouldn’t do to still be on the PVB. That trip
was just incredible. I find myself asking one question though, “why did the Marion and Kentucky shows have to end?�
best shows...
montgomery, (first of the year for me)
knoxville (the head count was unbelievable, and what a lineup)
gorge (scenery was just incredible)
marion (best for pure excitement)
kentucky.. (last of the tour)
wow... i've traveled quite a bit
and the friends that i've made and the time that we've gotten to spend together.. memories that will last a lifetime..