Ms. E's Fall Ball Concert Experience

When I found out Rebecca Lynn Howard would be in town for a concert, it was enough reason for me to WANT to go. "Forgive" is one of my fave songs - does Rebecca just sings the heck out of it or what?! Then, I found out that the concert was for St. Jude's, and Im thinking I have gotta find a way to get there!! Next, Anthony Smith and Brad Martin were added to the bill. (They are a couple of my favorite songwriters - and of course artists.) Then, my station made the "big" announcement that Jessica Andrews would headline. Jess being my friend, by now, I'm thinking - if I can't go, I'll REALLY be bummed!!

Well, I won my pair of tickets, and man, you could not wiped the grin off my face the day I did!! (I tried for 3 weeks straight to win them!!) I knew that since I had them, I'd for sure get to chat with Jess if she did a meet and greet. My next mission was to try and get meet and greets with the other artists. Luck was on my side for Brad. But, things didn't work out with Rebecca and Anthony. But, hey, I was gonna be there at the concert, right?!

Before the concert got under way, I had some backstage duties to tend to. I went in search of Brad's "team." And, they gave me an ALL ACCESS pass!! (Yes, I hung out backstage for pretty much all night long!) Brad wasn't there yet, but they told me to come backstage later, so I could meet him. I knew Jess would be taking the stage first, and I knew she usually did meet and greets before the show. The deal was to find out where the heck she was holding it. I finally found it, and got in line to chat with her. (Since I met her in 2000, post on her messageboard often, plus she's personally donated a LOT of items for my auctions, we've become friends.) So, when I got up there, she asked me what I had in my hands - which I had 2 scrapbooks (a HUGE one for all things country music and the other for everything St. Jude's.) Jess took time to flip through the pages of both books, which kinda had me panicking, LOL! I told her, as excited I was to see her again, I didn't wanna hold up the line. But, she told me, "Nah! Youre not holding up anyone!" After looking at my scrapbooks, she signed the St. Jude's one and we snapped a pic together.

Soon after, she kicked off the show with "Now I Know," a song off her critically-acclaimed 2001 album, "Who I Am." She continued with "Wishing Well" and "Helplessly, Hopelessly," both which also appeared on her second album, the latter being a radio single. Then, there was this lil gal of about 4 years old who walked to the front and handed Jess a picture she'd drawn of Jess. Too precious! Jess explained what was in the picture and expressed how much she loved that kind of stuff from fans!! Then, she sang "I Wish For You," a song which will be on her forthcoming album. Jessica showcased her versatility and let it rip on the cover tune, "Chain of Fools." Finally, she ended with her #1 hit, "Who I Am." She dedicated the song to her Nana, whom Jessica mentioned was celebrating her birthday the day after this concert - hence her early stage appearance.

Next, Oakland-area group of six, The Forbes Brothers, took the stage. I missed their set, but I did get to hang out with them backstage afterwards, it's all good!! While they were performing, I headed off once again in search of Brad Martin's crew. On my way out, I ran into Rebecca Lynn Howard. I asked for an autograph and picture with her. I am still in shock that I met her, simply 'cuz I never expected to that night!! Besides "Forgive," I LOVE "It's My Job to Fall" and "Dancin' in God's Country" (both on her latest album.) It meant so much to get to meet her!! But my night was about to get better!! I was lead onto Brad's bus where the meet and greet was held. This particular meet and greet was extremely fun for me, 'cuz Brad's songwriting inspires me! (In general, artists who are also songwriters inspire me.) And, heck, gotta admire a guy who has penned more than 400 songs in just about 6 years!! A songwriter myself, I am NO WHERE near the 400 mark yet, HA! But, I will say - there is hope for me; if I remember correctly, he wrote his first tune at 22, and thats how old I was when I wrote my first one. We spent an hour talking about songwriting mostly, but also about music in general. He remembered me from our interview, which was definitely cool! And, he signed a lot of stuff for and several items for my next auction for St. Jude's. NOTE: Brad told me that the bus theyre touring on was used in the latest vid, "My Town" from Montgomery Gentry. Next time that vid comes on, check out right at the beginning where Troy and Eddie are sitting - I got to sit in those same seats!!

I returned to the backstage area just in time to see some of Anthony's intimate, but energetic set. He rocked the stage with his debut smash/title track, "If That Ain't Country." Then, he treated the audience to his versions of "Run," "Didn't I?" and "Chrome," singles he penned or co-wrote for fellow artists and friends George Strait, Montgomery Gentry, and Trace Adkins. He ended with his just-released single, "John J. Blanchard." I got a surprise when I was hanging out backstage and right as he stepped off the stage, I got to chat with him!!!! I told him I liked his songwriting and he was like, "Cool, wanna pic?" I'm like sure!! So, I snapped a pic with him, but he also gave me an autographed color 8x10. Then, he signed my St. Jude's book.

Then, Rebecca kicked off her set with three back-to-back foot-stomping tunes: "I Need a Vacation," the bluegrass-tinged "Dancin' in God's Country," and the sarcastic "I Hate to Go, Thank God." She sang her powerhouse ballad, "I Don't Paint Myself Into Corners Anymore," which appeared on Rebecca's debut album, and was also recorded by fellow MCA labelmate, Trisha Yearwood. After a short minute break during which she stopped to mend a broken string on her guitar, she continued with "Love is Our Business" another tune she wrote which John Michael Montgomery recorded. Rebecca took some time to express her appreciation for not only the audience's support in her music, but also for a charity that is that's very "dear to my heart." Then, she closed with the vocally challenging and top ten-bound single (and my fave song of hers), "Forgive."

Finally, Brad Martin and his Big Money Band rounded out the night, starting with "Honky Tonk Somewhere," a tune Brad wrote. He indulged the audience with a taste of the honky-tonk bars with "Damn the Whiskey," a self-penned tune which appears on his first-ever Epic Nashville release. He sang covers, "Boogie Grass Band" (Conway Twitty) and "Whiskey River" (Willie Nelson), then continued with his own song, "Just Like Love." He headed back to the late-night life with the title track from his debut album, "Wings of a Honky Tonk Angel" and the Merle Haggard classic, "Honky Tonk Nightime Man." After singing his smash single, "Before I Knew Better," he paid tribute to Johnny Paycheck with his own rendition of "11 Months, 29 Days," finally ending with his latest single, the up-tempo "Rub Me the Right Way." I was kinda disappointed he didn't sing "Completely" 'cuz that's one of my fave songs of his. But, then again, it really wouldn't have fit with his other upbeat songs. He did sing the title track, which is my other fave, so ya wont hear me complaining! Speaking of those two songs: after Brad's set, I stuck around, got a set list from the band and met guitarist Mike Geiger (one of the co-writers of "Completely.") I also met Rick Williamson, the guy who helped pen "Wings of a Honky Tonk Angel" - do yall have any idea how excited I was?! To meet the writers of my fave songs AND the artist who sings them - that's the ultimate right there!!!!