Lessons Learned at a Kenny Chesney Concert
“Which road I travel is still a mystery to me.” – Kenny Chesney
In my early days as a bright-eyed, eager fair employee, one of my duties was making sure the queen and her court accomplished their daily check list of appearances. Wrangling three bubbling, enthusiastic, crown baring young ladies had its challenges. Lets just say that not all their actions screamed sugar and spice and everything nice. But thanks to one of the most inappropriate requests, I had my first encounter with Kenny Chesney.
A budding country star that opened the show for Alabama in July of 1996, Kenny was straight off his album cover complete with felt hat and blue jeans. As he exited the stage one of princesses boldly ask if he would sign her chest (well more like the skin right above her chest bone.) He bashfully, yet eagerly accepted the request with black sharpie in hand, made a few pleasantries with the girls and continued his journey to the backstage compound. Little did any of us realize that this 27 year old crooner would become a country mega star crossing genres and taking generations to the sand and sea, if only in their mind’s escape.
Fast forward a few more years and Kenny hits had multiplied and landed him a gig on the Headliner Stage. If you have ever watched his video Just Don’t Happen Twice much of the footage is straight from the Biggest Little Fair Anywhere, complete with bungee thrill ride outtake. I am not sure if it is my early memories, his love of island life or the way his songs seem too resonant in a way that always makes you stop and think or touch a moment in time and evoke a feeling that these lyrics were written just for you, my appreciation for his talents has stood the test of time. To say I am fan would be an understatement. But, I am not a big concert goer, the idea of hanging out with a population of people that could fill a small town doesn’t ring “good time” to me. Yet, I have had a bee in bonnet to see Kenny for quite some time. Taking to my box of fair memorabilia, I discovered that the last time I heard these tunes live was in 2003. As a matter of fact that was the time, I was offered a margarita backstage by his tour manager who had set up an island, tropical bar in one of the semi-trailers, oh the good ole days. No Shoes Nation was calling my name and an adventure awaited right around the corner.
Living in Kentucky one of the true advantages is location, location, location. Checking his concert schedule there were multiple locations within a two hour drive to spend some time with the boy from Tennessee. A week out from the show in Cincinnati, I pushed the purchase button for a night we won’t soon forget.
The venue was perfect, I happen to purchase Club Level seats which not only offered us restroom and bar access, but a terrace of patio furniture that ended up being our seats for the night. So much of the evening flooded my mind with memories of the years in the business and how every night is a new adventure, challenge to tackle and tunes to sing along. Case in point we had a small weather delay, as I witness the staff ushering the concert goers off the floor for a brief stay under cover, I thought this place has great customer service. Opening additional concession stands, offering seating in a “dead” space behind the stage, and giving frequent updates, you could easily tell this wasn’t their first rodeo. As a crew member climbed to the top the stage roof to “sweep” off the accumulation of water, I was mesmerized of his lack of fear and the show must go on attitude. Our resident usher Roger had worked the area for many years and told us to stay in our lounge chairs as our location was perfect. Finally, Megan Moroney came out as cute as a button, blonde hair blowing, and smile as bright as the peach dress she was wearing. She made it through one song when she announced that her white cowboy boots weren’t cutting in on the wet stage floor and decided to go barefoot for the remainder of her set. The No Shoes Nation attitude was alive and well to kick off the evening.
And speaking of white cowboy boots, when did they start being the number one accessory for concert going young ladies? As I watched the line of them standing briefly in front of me, I couldn’t help but think of a Miller family tale. And as Kennys’ songs tend to tell stories of the past, there is a very entertaining episode involving my Uncle Merle, Aunt Diana, Uncle Rod and my mom that could start out, “A fashionable, young lady awaited her date to pick her up for a western themed Cal Poly dance wearing white majorette boots. And end with Merle watched his siblings wrestling over brown shoe polish and his sisters cowboy boots, completely awe stuck.” But that is a yarn for another time.
As the sun that briefly came back to set in the west, Kenny magically appeared and turned the crowd into an echo machine singing every word along with him for the next few hours. The evening was the perfect recipe of fun, faith, and leaving your worries behind. As I danced around displaying my wonderful vocal ability (not), I realized how many songs this man has actually released. Furthermore, how many of these melodies have a message that we could all use now and then, regardless if we are on an island or sitting in the middle of downtown Cincinnati. Music for me has always been the soundtrack of your life with different volumes to represent your very own eras. Developing a life lesson playlist exclusive to Kenny Chesney’s library of songs seems like a good keepsake of the evening. I am sure you have your favorites, but here is a few to get your collection of hits started.
First off if you are looking for that kick back, vacation, toes in the sand tune, Kenny has these for hours of listening. He also has many great lyrics that celebrate where you are from, your childhood and lifelong friends. But with the goal to get your thinking and feeling inspired in a positive way, I am going to start off with a couple that won’t fail your listening ears.
1 – Get Along – #Micdrop right here. Whether it is turning on the evening news or cruising your go-to social media platform, the amount of distress and upheaval across this planet is epic. The chorus points out no one is perfect, love triumphs all, action helps the mind, friendship is important and in the end “Can’t we all get along?”
2 – Here and Now – When this song began mid-set, I sent myself a text saying, “What Kayla and I are planning, Here and Now.” My daughter Kayla and I did what some would think crazy or silly, we went halfway across the nation for 48 hours so that we could spend the 4th of July with her brother and sister. For Kayla and I there was nowhere else in this world, there was no better place or better time. How often do we dwell on an event from the past or worry about the future, listen to Kenny’s words instead. “Everybody’s waiting, but they’re waiting on what? Better get to living ‘cause all we’ve got is here and now.” Why wait for tomorrow, for what we can enjoy today?
3 – I Go Back – Don’t be accusing me of contradicting my second choice. Maybe it was the era I grew up, maybe it was that I come from a small town, or it just could be that I am a big ole dreamer, but this song makes me relive so many fabulous memories. Actually, for me, this song is one of the reasons I wanted to go home for the 4th of July. I got to hang with my best friend since first grade Shawna, my mom tried to recreate the meal my grandma would prepare complete with homemade potato salad and fresh strawberries and homemade whip cream, and wondering the streets of Templeton with my kids and landing on Fourth Street with the Tucker/ Hammers crew was the quint essential firework to my celebration. “We all have a song that somehow stamped our lives, Takes us to another place and time”, I dare you to listen to this song and not have flashbacks of happiness.
4 – Never Wanted Nothing More – “Well I’m what I am and I’m what I’m not, I’m sure happy with what I’ve got, I live to love and laugh a lot, And thats all I need” How many of us can truly say we live this mantra everyday? How many of us know we should? Being true to yourself might be the toughest task for anyone to actual accomplish. And each generation tackles more and more hurdles to get the finish line of self love. Think about it, today’s young minds have influencers who are an overstated example of what we think is neat and nifty. Reducing the clutter from our feeds, life, minds and world may help us all get that big hug from inside. I mean, seriously, being truly happy with who you are and what you got, one would never want nothing more.
5 – American Kids – A little messed up, but we’re all alright. Please raise your hand if this applies to you? All of you with your hands in your pockets, I call BS. The grass isn’t greener, no one has a perfect life, everyone has their demons and guess what according to Kenny we’re all alright. This is also one of those catchy group of lyrics that you can’t help but sing outloud while your feet can’t stop moving.
6 – I’m Alive – “Today’s the first day of the rest of your life and I am alive and well.” Think about the first eight words, no truer lyric has ever been sung. Sometimes we need to stop and remember we are alive, and the future is all that really matters. Even if you have had the worst day or roughest go of it, breaking it down to the simplest form and realizing that every day you are alive is something to be grateful. I am a big birthday person. I don’t get why people belly ache about getting older or making a big deal about “your day.” The way I look at it is, your birthday is the most important day of your life. Without it, you wouldn’t be alive and well!
7 – Save it for a Rainy Day – This tune reminds me of a song by Lit called Zip Lock. The main theme was to put a second chance in a zip lock bag and keep it in your pocket. Great concept. Kenny reminds us that even if we are bummed out about life, that we can take that downer and store it away for a rainy day. Sun’s too bright and sky’s too blue, go out and live your life with hope that tomorrow is yet another glowing day that won’t allow those rainy day blues to enter your world.
8 – Don’t Blink – Every morning I have adopted my own zen/ gratitude/ happy thoughts routine. Maybe someday I will blog about my system, but in the meantime, let me share one component. I read a chapter from of 1000 + Little Things Happy Successful People Do Differently. The other day it stated, “Do you remember that time five years ago when you were extremely upset? Does it really matter now?” As I read, a grin appeared on my face. Was this my own words being stated back at me? I would say to my college students, “The five year, if it doesn’t matter in five years does it matter now?” Don’t blink takes the five year rule and puts it in reverse. If it is going to matter in five years we better take time in the present to enjoy, celebrate and embrace those moments. Trust me friend a hundred years goes faster than you think, so don’t blink.
9 – Everything’s Gonna Be Alright – “Tell me something good that I don’t know,’cause this world’s been kicking my behind.” We all have days that we would rather climb back in bed and start it over again tomorrow. One of my all time favorite people Mrs. Treva Roth taught me many moons ago a phrase, “This too shall pass.” And no truer statement has ever been shared. When life keeps throwing you lemons, take a pause because there ain’t no doubt it’s gonna work out. Just ask Kenny, I am sure he would agree, everything’s gonna be alright.
10 – Live A Little – “Been going like nothing can wait, I gotta get my priorities straight.” These words are the perfect closing song that encompasses the entire list into one thought, live a little, love a lot. Take time for yourself, make sure to schedule some fun and find love. What more do we need prescribed for healthier lifestyle?
As he closed the show with two of my all time favorites from his hit list, Anything But Mine and Just Don’t Happen Twice, I was beyond happy that we decided to go on this quest to the Blue Chip City. My energy level on a joyful high, we made our way back to our hotel. Walking the streets in the dark, quiet forest of skyscrapers, my mind was swirling with the buzz of my inner thoughts and the play back from tonight’s show. We can all take a few lessons from the words that Kenny shares with his fans through his melodies and more. What is so wrong with going barefoot, anyway? At the very least we can put our toes in the sand, leave our worries behind and let the warm air melt our blues away.
a little bit about a lot of things 
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