Sunday, August 31, 2014

Jackson County Junior Fair Concerts 2014

The Jackson Country Junior Fair was held the last week of July just like years past. This was my 7th year in a row attending the fair and it did not disappoint. They always have a very friendly staff working down at the stage where the concerts are held and they managed to get a variety of artists to perform throughout the week. I attended the fair three nights this year, Tuesday for rising country duo Dan + Shay (lead vocalist Shay Mooney & Dan Smyers), Thursday for legendary country band Diamond Rio and ended the week on a fantastic note seeing  rising star Austin Webb plus Jamie Lynn Spears on Saturday.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014
I got to the fair a few hours before Dan + Shay took the stage because I wanted to get a meet & greet to meet them before they performed which I was able to do. It was incredibly hot & humid that evening but worth it because those guys are incredibly appreciative of their fans support and friendly. They thanked me for supporting them by buying their album. The meet and greet wasn't very long as I was the first person in line but it was great getting the oppurtunity to meet them. They sang their first single which was 19 You And Me, their current single out to country radio called Show You Off as well as songs from their debut album that was released earlier this year such as Stop Drop + Roll, Party Girl, Close Your Eyes, among others. I was able to get their set list after the concert which is a nice keepsake. If you have the chance to see them in concert and/or meeting them I recommend going. You won't be disappointed. 

Dan Smyers, Me, Shay Mooney

Thursday, July 24th, 2014
This night was easily the most special and memorable for me because I have been a Diamond Rio fan ever since I can remember basically so to meet them was amazing. I got to the fairgrounds a couple hours early like usual and hadn't planned on meeting them but I was hoping I would be able to. When I first asked they weren't sure if there was enough meet & greet passes but a little while later they ended up giving me one and I was just sitting next to the stage waiting for time to get in line for the meet & greet and Jimmy Olander who is the guitar player was standing around with his guitar on and started talking to me. He thought I was someone he knew from Nashville but then we got to talking about his kids and how i'd wanted to see them live for a long time. He is a very friendly guy. Before too long the other guys in the band showed up and as usual I was first in line but they didn't allow autographs so I got my pictures with them & then it was basically over. 

Before too long they took the stage and played a lot of their hits over the years such as Meet In The Middle, Beautiful Mess, How Your Love Makes Me Feel, I Believe, One More Day (one of my favorites), You're Gone, Walkin' Away. They sang a melody of a few of their less popular songs as well as newer songs from their Christian album. They loved that people were singing along and encouraged those who weren't to do so. They were very interactive with the crowd which was one of the biggest crowds I have ever seen at the fair. They signed autograph for fans after they were finished performing so I got in line and when I got up to them my mom and I said they put on a great show & I said it was great to meet them and Jimmy said "It was great to meet you too Cassandra" which made me happy that he actually knew my name. I would definitely go see these guys live again if given the oppurtunity. For a band that has been touring for 23 years they still sound as good as they did when they started. 

Brian Prout,Jimmy Olander,Marty Roe,Me,Dan Truman & Dana Williams

Saturday, July 26, 2014
This night was extra special because I have became friends with Austin Webb and i'm a huge supporter of his music career so I loved being able to see him again and be able to talk with him. Some bad thunderstorms were coming through the arena so he didn't end up taking the stage until 30 or 45 minutes after he was supposed to and he didn't have a huge crowd due to the stormy weather but he still put on a great show. 

I was first in line for his meet and greet and as he came over the hill past everyone else he had a huge smile on his and yelled "Hey Cassandra!" and when he got over to me he hugged me and asked me how I was and that it had been forever since he saw him (even though it had only been a month and a half) lol I caught him up on my life and we got to talking about Nashville and how I want to work there at a record label and do artist promotion and he told me that I should do that because I am great at it and encouraged me to send in resumes for it. He also told me he really appreciate all of my support and promoting him & his music career. Before we took our picture he asked me if I wanted to take a selfie and I was like sure so we did and then took a regular picture then he hugged me and it was over. 

It started storming soon after so they had to delay the concert so he came out and talked to the people who were in the crowd and took pictures with everyone and was chatting with me and my mom for a few minutes. I don't think there is a more down to earth and friendly guy in the country music industry then Austin. He truly is a great guy and treats his fans more like friends which I love. When he was finally able to take the stage he sang his first single he released to country radio Slip On By as well as his current sound out to radio called Raise 'Em Up which if you don't request it at country radio I would recommend doing so. He sang several cover songs such as Hound Dog by Elvis Presley. After he sang he signed autographs for anyone that wanted to meet him so I went over and talked to him again and he thanked me for coming and for all the support. Amazing guy.
Our selfie Austin took :P 

Austin Webb & I

No comments:

Post a Comment