As amazing as your 2011 Official Concert Reviewer Jackie’s Laska is, she has not yet completely mastered the art of being in two places at the same time. Lucky for me and Jackie’s cousin Kelsey that she was at the Admiral’s game and the Craig Morgan show. So, off to see Little Big Town at Turner Hall Ballroom we go.
We knew going down that we had the added bonus of a meet and great with the band! When we arrived there was a pretty long line outside of Turner Hall. I was a bit worried about making the meet and great on time, because when I tried to get in to go to Will Call to pick up the passes, they wouldn’t let me in. I went back to meet Kelsey who had gotten us a place in line. A little bit of a brisk night downtown, but we were aided by Mr. Otis Charleston from Security who assured us we would get in on time for the meet and greet. While in line we passed the time talking with Marilyn and her sister Pam who had won their tickets by calling in to FM106’s Morning Crew. Of course it was Halloween weekend downtown, so it was amusing to watch the costumed party goers going by. I do believe I met the real live Batman that evening!
Once we got inside, a flood of memories came back from when I was a kid and had taken gymnastics at Turner Hall. We quickly found the Will Call, got our passes, grabbed a beer and got in line for the meet and great. When it was our turn to go in, I was greeted by Mr. Phillip Sweet and Ms. Kimberly Schlapman. They stood me between them and Kelsey was between Karen Fairchild and Jimi Westbrook for our photo op. I had handed my envelope from the meet and greet passes to Phillip who graciously signed it and passed it down the row to the other members of the band. They were very welcoming and kind. I realized later that my name had been on the envelop, so Phillip has signed it personally to me which was very impressive that he had noticed. We wished them a good show and we were on our way.
We got through the meet and greet with time to catch the last bits of the opening act Mr. Eric Paslay. It was just Eric and his guitar and he had the crowd going. He did a couple of more mellow tunes, a few that were a bit harder and edgy, but what really got us all going was his rendition of a song he co-wrote, “Barefoot Blujean Night”. You could tell he enjoyed performing it.
We had a short break before Little Big Town came out. It gave us a bit of time to catch up and do some people watching. The one thing that struck the both of us was the range of ages in the crowd. Looking back now, I am not sure why we were so surprised ourselves, Kelsey is like 24 and I am, well let’s just say old enough to be her mother!
Once Little Big Town took the stage, they brought it nonstop. Their level of energy and the talent that each of them possesses and how beautifully it all works together is something to experience. They started right into it with their 2nd song “Boondocks” and they didn’t stop there with songs like “A Little More You” right into “Little White Church”. They had the crowd completely engaged as we all enjoyed the gift of their 4 part harmonies. We had decided to stay up in the balcony that had been such a great people watching spot and I am so glad that we did, because it gave us the opportunity to watch 2 couples slow dancing away to “Bring It Home.” followed up by one of my favorites “Shut up Train.” Through it all they had the crowd in their hands as they displayed their amazing talents. At one point they invited people back after the show to sign CD’s. Truly a class act.
It was shortly after that, I had received the text from Jackie to meet her at the Bradley Center to exchange Kelsey for Jackie’s son who had been at the Admiral’s game with her. We needed to make the switch before the start of Craig Morgan, even though her son did go back in to hear one song from the guy he just met!
It was a great night downtown and a great night with Little Big Town! Thanks FM106.1, Karen, Scott and Radar, and thanks most to Jackie Laska for another great ride on her train as the Official FM106.1 Concert Reviewer!
