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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| Our selfie Austin took :P |
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| Austin Webb & I |
