Can you think of a better way to spend a comfortable Wednesday evening than with Jerrod Niemann and Blake Shelton at the Wisconsin State Fair?  Me neither!  This was a night to remember forever.  I was so happy to be taking my friend Annette (Annie) this evening.  We have such a great time together and this night was no different.  Our night was to begin with the ability to go backstage for a meet-n-greet with Jerrod Niemann.  We waited patiently for them to open the gates to let us on the track where the concert was taking place.  Patient yet a bit nervous because the staff was not aware of a meet-n-greet with Jerrod Niemann, but as usual everything played out perfectly.  The gates opened and we headed to the backstage entrance and waited in line until we were escorted back.  It is so much fun to watch everybody’s excitement as we wait.  (Especially my friend Annie – she was like a little kid!)  Jerrod Niemann casually strolls out and stands in position waiting for his first guest to approach.    Once it was our turn, we decided to go separately for our pictures.  Jerrod Niemann gave a great hug – nice and strong and firm – it felt like a very genuine hug.  Oh, and he smelled so good.  I mean so good that we told him so, along with everyone else we spoke to along the way out.  But before we left we made sure we received an autograph from Jerrod Niemann…he signed each of our meet-n-greet passes.  It went fast, but was a lot of fun. 

After that awesome experience, we got in line right away to wait for our chance to meet Blake Shelton which was about 45 minutes away.  We had a great time talking with the staff at the entrance as well as the other people in line.  We met Katie and Abby (A.K.A. Mutt and Jeff) while in line.  They were young and full of life and having the time of their lives.  While in line, Jerrod Niemann hit the stage and started his show with “Mountain Music”.  What a great choice!  That was enough to really get us going, and it seemed to work for the rest of the crowd too.  Jerrod Niemann also rocked us with “Cowboy Lets Ride”.  At this point we started heading backstage.  Even though we were outside, being backstage does prevent you from hearing things really well, and you also can’t see the performance on stage as much.  This means we missed a few songs that he sang.  No worries, we did get to see plenty more of Jerrod Niemann’s show after our amazing opportunity to put our arm around Blake Shelton and stand next to him for a picture.  Blake also was willing to sign, so we each got an autograph on our ticket.  Oh, and another cool thing…while in line we were able to see that Jeffery Scott was there and presented Blake Shelton with a custom made belt buckle!  It was gorgeous.  We were lucky enough to talk with Mr. Scott later in the evening during the concert and get a picture with him.  What an honor. 

So anyway, after meeting Blake Shelton we headed out to our seats to enjoy the rest of Jerrod Niemann’s performance.  We were lucky that we didn’t miss him singing “What Do You Want From Me”, “One More Drinkin Song”, and “Lover Lover”.  Jerrod was great performing these songs live.  He also did an amazing job rocking out “I’m Her Lover Boy”.  It was a good choice having Jerrod Niemann as an opening act in my opinion.  He was fun, personable, and got the crowd pumped and ready for more.

Once the stage was cleared and set for Blake Shelton, he came out and didn’t stop or slow down the entire night!  This man has so many great songs, and it was obvious that we all as an audience seemed to know each and every song he sang.  Our night started off in super high energy mode with “The More I Drink”, “It’s All About Tonight”, “Some Beach” and “All My Ex’s Live In Texas”.  Well let me tell you, the people sitting around us were having just as much fun as we were!  We met some really nice, fun and friendly people.  There were groups of friends, couples, and the ‘Girls Night Out’ group behind us that consisted of two sisters and their daughters.  They were so much fun! 

Now that the audience is pumped up, Blake Shelton gave a tremendous mix of some unexpected music including “I’m Coming Back Home”, “Play That Funky Music”, “Centerfold”, and “My Prerogative”.  I’ve said this before and I must say it again, I absolutely love the variety that comes from a country concert.  These are all songs I never would have imagined hearing this evening, yet how wonderful to experience them through Blake Shelton.  I also love the awesome friendly service we received…special thanks to Alyssa and Mara who worked the beer tent and had one open and ready by the time we arrived at their window.  

After that awesome playlist, we got back to some serious country music such as “Kiss My Country Ass”, “When I’m Not Looking”, “She Wouldn’t Be Gone”, and “Nobody But Me”.  Wow, we were moving and grooving non-stop.  We were on fire along with the rest of the audience.  Blake Shelton was very talkative and interactive with us – he shared a lot of personal moments and stories throughout the night.  Because these moments felt personal and intimate, I’m choosing not to share any with you but rather suggesting you attend a Blake Shelton concert.  It is well worth it and will give you a night of wonderful memories.  Full of so much energy and excitement, Blake gave us a chance to cool down just a bit by singing the heart- warming love song “Austin”.  That was it for cooling down because next he cranked it up with his current hit “Honey Bee”. 

Right about now we’re expecting the show to wind down and end, but not with Blake Shelton!  There is no slowing down, and he is full of surprises.  I think it’s safe to say that just about everyone must have been wondering whether or not his lovely wife Miranda Lambert was with him.  That question was answered with the great surprise of Miranda Lambert coming out on stage and singing “Hillbilly Bone” with Blake.  It was outstanding!  The two of them performing together on stage is an experience I’d wish for all country music fans to have.  They were musically and emotionally connected in such an awesome way it left me feeling like one of the luckiest people alive to be part of it.  That would have been a great ending to a great night, but Blake Shelton made sure we didn’t go home without the chance to hear him sing “Ol’ Red”.  That was a perfect ending.