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A Tale of Two Concerts

Nov 24, 2009 by Nick

I have attended two different concerts in two different states to see two completely different artists over the past two Saturdays and my experiences at both could not have been more different. What you are about to read is a true story.

Last Saturday I rolled down to Lexington, Kentucky to see Dierks Bentley with “hot” new band Gloriana opening up for him. The show was at Rupp Arena and I am guessing there were probably around 5,000 to 6,000 people there. I was located in the “pit” where only hardcore Dierks fans (me excluded) could get tickets. Dierks had a big stage with 3 ramps extending off the front of the stage so the fans in the pit could literally touch him at various moments throughout the show. There were big deluxe video screens behind the stage and an arena style light show. It was sure to be a hell of an experience. The night began with a local DJ from 98.1 “The Bull” coming out to get the crowd pumped up. She told us how she was backstage talking to Dierks and he told her to tell us hello and he could not wait to perform for us. I thought at that very moment I doubt he told us hello and I assumed he wanted to perform for us since it was his job. But of course the crowd of Kentucky retards (me excluded) ate it up. The DJ then went on to tell everybody to listen to 98.1 “The Bull” every morning at 7:45 for their chance to win a Ford Mustang. At that moment I thought I was not here to find about a radio promotion from 98.1 “The Bull” I was here to see some live music but again Kentucky’s finest (me excluded) ate it up.

Finally Gloriana hit the stage. It was 2 guys and 2 girls. They were basically a poor man’s version of Little Big Town who is a country poor man’s version of Fleetwood Mac. They were all young and good looking. They came out and played a mix of covers from Pure Prairie League, Tom Petty, The Doobie Brothers, and Fleetwood Mac along with their originals. They managed to tell the crowd how we could buy their album on iTunes, Amazon, record stores, Best Buy, flea markets, their parents, and girl scouts among other places. They also let us know they were nominated for an American Music Award, which is about like being nominated for a Dundee Award. They encouraged us all to vote for them because it was not only for them but for country music. That was the moment when I officially hated this band. Country music needs a lot of things but what it does not need is people voting for Gloriana on the American Music Awards. A little side note. A few days after the show I found out from a friend that one of the female members, Cheyenne, had a reality show on MTV a few years ago trying to get famous. I wonder if she did that for country music.

Dierks was out next and he did not waste any time at all putting his video screens to work. Before he hit the stage they played some video of him and other people at some outside party and they were all carrying coolers and cases of beer. The crazy thing was that every single person is carrying Bud Light. I thought “man what a coincidence that every person heading to the big Dierks Bentley bash drinks Bud Light”. Well it was not a coincidence Bud Light sponsors his tour. So it was nice to start the concert out with a beer commercial. I bet all the people were listening to 98.1 “The Bull” while they drank Bud Light. Dierks hit the stage next and played a very predictable set of his hits with lyrics that cater to the lowest common denominator. The kind of lyrics that make a Kentucky retard think that Dierks is singing to them and the kind that makes every girl in the crowd wearing their little white tank tops (a lyric from one his songs) and cowboy hats that they bought just for the night think they have a chance with Dierks if they could get back stage. He did play a mini acoustic set of classic country covers that was pretty cool but then he butchered a version of “Folsom Prison Blues”. When Dierks finally left the stage after 90 minutes they closed the show with some YouTube type video of a kid singing to a Dierks Bentley song (I am not sure which one because they all sound the same) from his bedroom. The crowd all stayed sang and danced to this ridiculous video (me excluded) until the bitter end. I cut out so I could head back to the hotel and wash that concert off of me. The good news is that I won a Ford Mustang from 98.1 “The Bull” later that week.

Fast forward seven days and I head out to see a guy you probably have never heard of named Will Hoge. He is from Nashville but not the Nashville that produced the Dierks/Gloriana/Bud Light/98.1 “The Bull” extravaganza. He is from the Nashville that produces artists that have integrity and talent. A Nashville that spits out music that is made for the love of music and not for the next big hit on 98.1 “The Bull” or an American Music Award or for sponsorship from a beer company. His music is a masterful mix of rock n’ roll, soul, gospel, country and Americana. This was all on display at a tiny club that might have held 300 people. While there were only 300 people he played like it was a stadium. He went from songs filled with big loud guitar hooks to thoughtful songs using acoustic guitar, harmonica and a pedal steel guitar. He told witty stories about his songs to let you know where they came from. At one point he brought his entire band out into the crowd and they played in the middle of the bar using no microphones and had every persons attention in that place. Unfortunately there is no place for a guy like this on mainstream radio and that is why you have never heard of him and he is playing 300 seat clubs on a Saturday night. No video screens, no beer sponsorship, no begging for votes for a meaningless award just honest music that is made for the right reasons. All of that for $12.00 on Saturday night or about the same price you payed to go to Applebee’s last weekend.

My hope is that one day Will Hoge and guys cut from the same cloth will get recognized and heard. Maybe one day people will quit listening to the same prepackaged crap that radio shoves down their throat and quit going to certain shows because it is the cool thing to do. Maybe one day talent will count for something. Until that day check out Will Hoge and see what you think.