Franklin,TN
07/03/04
Review By: Cole
Jessica, Anita and I arrived at the venue a tad before 11 am, when the main fesitivities started. Since it was a festival, we were pretty sure that no one else would be there yet for Patty's gates to open. We were right! We were told to go to the Lion's Club booth, to find out where to go wait, because no one had anticipating anyone coming this early to start her line. We met our new friend Jeff, who was in charge of this little shin dig. Jeff, who was not only easy on the eyes, but nice as well, led us up to the concert gate and showed us exactly where to sit. He made sure we had spots in the shade, and we were even close to a building, which was a sigh of relief, since the forecast had called for rain-- and it had rained every day that week! Jeff left to go back to work, inviting us to walk around everything, and check it all out throughout the day.
After sitting outside the gate for awhile, making signs, and watching the bus roll in, we were told by the Lions Club that since we were so dedicated and there so early, they would take our chairs in before everyone else's and put them in the spot where we wanted to sit. We were definitely thrilled with that, and happy that we wouldn't have to run to our spots this time!
A few hours before the gates open, the band and Patty came out to do soundcheck. At this time, we had no clue she was sick. She sounded great to me. They had a soundcheck that lasted a little tad longer than most of them that I've watched, and they practiced a few songs, (all the songs they did were songs she performed in the show, none were done that weren't in the show), to which we gladly sang along to from the back of the gate, and scream and cheer for she and the band. The people that had just gotten in line thought we were nuts! (Of course us screaming, "GO GARRY!" probably did it- they most likely had not a clue who Garry was!)
There was a couple who snuck in and put their chairs in the front of the stage, which irritated the living hell out of me. Jeff had said if we needed anything, to find him, so I was on the Jeff Prowl, and let him know that people were going in the gate. Thank goodness for Jeff, he closed the gate and then a few of our great Lions Club Members came and got our chairs to take in. The sponsors got the center section, which was roped off- and we didnt want to sit behind them, it was too far back, so we chose to sit on the left side of the stage. At first we were pretty bummed because we thought that the seats would be horrible, and too far over. But, when the gates opened and we hauled in and sat down, we were thrilled! The seats were great!
As we chatted and killed time waiting for her to come onstage, I felt someone behind me and looked behind to see Marcia go, "Are you Nicole???". We chatted with her for a few minutes, and she informed us that Patty wasn't feeling well. She graciously took some stuff we had for Patty and Garry to hand deliver it. Thanks Marcia!
Patty came out to "Tear Stained Letter" once again, and in my opinion, she sounded fantastic. And the more I think about, every single time I've seen her perform sick, she always sounded amazing! Her speaking voice was a tad scratchy, and that was it. There were only a few small notes that I had noticed she struggled with on this night, and I thought that was VERY impressive. I was a little irritated that the sponsors weren't as into her as we all were. The crowd that was there to actually see her was wonderful about cheering her on and clapping. The sponsors sat there and ate, and I heard a few chatting back and forth about not knowing Patty's Music, which really irritated me. I'm all for people sponsoring Patty concerts, but hey, don't go to the show and then talk through the whole thing about how you don't know what she sings. If you'd shut up, you'd get to hear what she sings!
Patty's set list wasn't much different tonight as the normal set list this year, but she did "The Trouble with the Truth", instead of "You Don't Even Know Who I Am" which I thought sounded absolutely PERFECT! When she holds the last note, it's just absolute Patty Heaven right there.
There was less chatter from Patty during this show, and they focused more on the music, so that she could use her voice for singing, and not chatting. "Nothin Like the Lonely" was, as usual, one of the best of the night. How anyone in the world couldn't fall in love with her humming is beyond me, she is just amazing!
The acoustic set consisted of "Grandpa", and Patty did take the time out to tell everyone the story about Papa Cochran, and how special the song is to her. She nailed the song, and was absolutely flawless. Anita and I both called friends during this song so that they could hear her, and both of them talked about how perfect she sounded. At the beginning of this tour, I did not like that she was doing "Grandpa" live. I cried every time she would do it, and was reminded of losing my grandmother earlier in the year. I had been hoping for it to get cut out of the set list. But now, I'm really actually able to listen to the song and enjoy her voice singing it-- and I hope it DOES stay in the set list!"Boys", "Cheap Whiskey", "Daniel Prayed" and "Pretty Little Miss" rounded out the acoustic set. As always, "Pretty Little Miss" was our sing a long song, and we were thrilled that she did it.
I must say the band was kicking butt. Marcia sounded great. She's got a really good blend with Patty, and she, Garry and Patty together are great, I love it! Garry, of course, our man of many talents, was great as well. It's nice to see him all over the stage, playing tons of different instruments! Deanie is always smokin on the fiddle-- I don't think I've ever seen Deanie have a bad night on the fiddle, and when she does, it's not noticeable, that girl rocks on that! Travis sounded great, but was pretty quiet at this show. Guthrie is doing good- he's starting to come out of his shell some, I think, we had him smiling once again during the show. His "Halfway Down" intro was a little odd this time, and I wasn't as crazy about it, but during the song, he was rockin! The whole band is just really coming together now!
After an amazing rendition of "On Your Way Home", we arose to give her a standing ovation, and half the audience didn't. *Shrugs* I don't guess I'll ever understand these Non Patty Believers. If that doesn't captivate you, then I don't see what would:) She closed out with "Lovin' All Night", and then the crowd favorite, "Blame it On Your Heart', which had everyone on their feet clapping and singing along. She had two encores on the set list, but she didn't do them. I figured that they had run out of time and she also needed to rest her voice. I still have my fingers crossed that "Elvis" will be an encore sometime this year!
We were lucky enough to be able to go backstage to talk with her. Well, we talked to her. David said that Patty was told by her doctor not to talk much after a show, so Patty smiled a lot and nodded a lot, but didn't speak much. WE DID, however, get something quite important to us....a photo with her together! Anita and I have been trying for over a year to get our photo with Patty together, and every time we get the chance, it doesn't turn out or there are no photos allowed with her! We seized this chance to get our photo with her together, ,and were thrilled that it turned out! Thank You David!
For this being one of Patty's sick night, it's one of the most memorable shows I think we've attended, and she sounded superb. I'm not sure what the deal is with some of the crowds we've witnessed this year, but one day they'll wake up and realize what they've been missing! Special thanks to our new friends Jeff and Git R Dun for taking us backstage, and all your help! As usual, thanks to the band for sharing your incredible talents, Shayne for being so awesome, and David, for all you do and more!
Jess and Nita, I love y'all, git r dun, "it's a man's name, thats how he spells it!", armistead hall, ketchup, jonathan, sierra mist, hugs from Garry, BATMAN! cute cops, waffles and no volume to the jukebox! "We love you Jeff...and we love you too Git R Dun!", JJ tickled our fancy!
