9-6-08 99.5 Country Jam review

So the show started just after noon with Lawless taking the mainstage. I was so proud to see my friends up there. They rocked it out. And I was impressed with the new addition of their keyboard player, Todd. He has one arm and played like he had three. This man lets nothing hold him back.

Then Crystal Shawanda came out. I caught the last of her performance. I had been by the gates with some of my Lawless friends hugging necks and catching up. But, she sounded really good.

Then Chuck Collier of WGAR introduced James. He came out with confidence and perfection. James is truly glowing. Shining like the star he is. I am so happy for him with his new found success. He was funny, energetic, had the crowd on thier feet and of course his voice is outstanding. He's not called the biggest voice in country music for nothing. That is for sure. I stood by for a few minutes and watched him interact with his fans at the Ottograph booth. Which by the way had a line a mile long. He is one of the most genuine people I have come across. Honestly happy to be meeting the people who admire him. I can't say that for the act that followed though.

Lady Antebellum. Yes, not very friendly. Don't get me wrong. They were not rude. But they had it set up like a conveyor belt in thier autograph line. No pictures with them and it was a quick 3 signatures with very little small talk. Thier performance was very well executed but, I think they should have gone on before James. Because James is clearly more popular.

Next we had Phil Vasser. Lots of energy. He jumped onto his black steele plated baby grand and pounded his chest like tarzan more than once. He messed up a word in the song "In a Real Love" and tried to cover it up, but it was too obvious. But we all still loved it.

Diamond Rio was awsome. I had never seen them before and had never owned any of thier music. But I was so impressed, I think I'll go out and buy some of thier stuff. And have to say that the bass player was a hoot! Funny guy.

Fourty five minutes lafter Diamond Rio... last but not least, Dirks Bently. Also a first for me. He came out and ran around like he was all jacked up on Mountain Dew. Not so impressed with his live performance. I think if he slowed down that his vocals would be much more appreciated. The crowd to the right of the stage at this point was out of control and Dirks pointed that fact out. Seriously. He pointed to them and told them they were the bad people. So we left during his third song . And it took a whole hour to get out of the parking lot. But all in all very much worth the hundreds of miles and dollars spent.