Paisley Party!

So last night was my first country music concert and to tell the truth i had a blast. I was never really a fan of country music in my former life but when i moved to Vancouver i had a job close to Langley and the woman i shared an office with used to have the radio on JRFM all the time. i got used to hearing all the same songs about dogs running away, cars getting stuck while 4x4'ing and boys being boys. It's been almost 3 years since i left that job and really haven't listened to it since.

Country music isn't really what it used to be, i think a lot of the artists are trying to fit in more of the main stream and i have become fond of it. It's not like I'm going to go buy a pair of cowboy boots or a huge "Wrangler" belt buckle but i do enjoy some artists and their songs, it reminds me of my roots, the small town girl in me. Country musicians are just as talented as the other guys and truthfully their songs aren't full of all the mixing and tracks like more of the techno stuff is so it sounds purer, if you know what i mean.

Brad Paisley is the man i went to see last night, he's a "killer" guitar player and a really funny song writer. When he first started in his career he was strictly known as a guitar player and nothing more, most of his CD's were instrumental and he had quite the following. He added singing to his lineup and now he's one of the hottest country musicians out there. Yes he wears a cowboy hat and boots but it's really about the music isn't it? Oh yah and he's super Yummy!

The concert had 2 opening acts, who again were really good. It's been awhile since I've seen a good opening act, maybe LIVE at the Nickleback concert was the last one. I remember Fiona Apple opened for Coldplay once....SUCKED!!! Crystal Shawanda and Dierks Bentley opened for Brad (yes we are on a first name basis) They are more of your typical country musicians but good to say the least.

When it finally came time to the main stage, Brad came out of the dark and was strumming a killer guitar lick, then he disappeared and came out of the catwalk...crazy. The show wasn't over the top, no fireworks or crazy light shows, but he did have a huge video screen behind him that played out "videos" to his songs, not music videos more of story telling videos. He had other artists duet with him like Allison Kraus (an amazing bluegrass singer), Keith Urban and Taylor Swift. Allison was incredible, it was almost like she was there, they made her a hologram and then she disappeared into the screen...Crazy. He has some pretty talented band mates and something like 10 different guitars that he used to strum out those amazing notes, i was in awe.

Anyway for all those anti-country people out there, give it a try, it's not how it used to be!! How can you say no to this face :)