Anderson Music Hall
Hiawassee, GA
September 25, 2004
Review By: Cole
We started off on this trek quite tired. The night prior, Tammie and I had attended the show in Mississippi, so after the MS show, we drove back to Nashville (a 4 hour trek), took showers, and then decided it would be a good idea to take a quick nap. I remember laying down at around 4:30- and we set our alarms for 6:00, and I popped up, run a brush through my hair, and put my pink Patty hat on and was ready to go! We stopped to get some energy drinks, popped in "When Fallen Angels Fly", and was on our way!
We had to meet Anita in Summerville, GA, so that I could ride with Anita to the shows, and Tammie was going to go pick up a friend of hers that was going to go to the show. Anita and I took off right away, so that we could check in at our hotel prior to the show.
The drive to Hiawassee was much different than the trip I'd been on the night before. There was no cotton on this trip- but the roads that led to Hiawassee were pretty desolate roads, and in the middle of nowhere, so we had no cell phone service. Luckily, we approached some civilization before we got to the venue, and were able to stop to get a bite to eat. We arrived at our hotel around 1, and as we headed up the hill to the hotel, we saw the bus pulling out of the hotel. We waved to Roger, and saw
Patty sitting in the front next to him, who saw us and smiled and waved. We were quite thrilled, and were eager to check in and then go scope out the venue.
We got into the hotel, took our showers in record timing and were ready to go. Tammie and her friend had not yet arrived, and we were anxious to know what time the gates to the venue would actually open. There were two shows this particular night, and the first show started at 5:30. Craig Morgan and Jimmy Wayne were opening for her, which we weren't overly thrilled about, but wanted to be there early anyhow. So we decided to head over before Tammie to scope out the situation. Once we got to the venue, we discovered
that the folks at this venue weren't the friendliest. We asked one of the ladies when the gates opened, to which she replied "Not for a little while". Well, it was after 4:00, and the show started at 5:30. So telling us "not for awhile" was not in any way helpful! So we took a walk around the venue and then came back to the gate. THe line was starting to rapidly form, and the lady had said she still didn't know what time the gates were going to open. But, just a few minutes later, they decided to finally open the gates.
We did go in to check out our seats, and send our Hello's to David, but we chose not to watch Craig Morgan or Jimmy Wayne. It was nothing personal against them, I'm just not a large fan, and don't usually sit well through opening acts for her. So, Anita and I headed out to the bus and spent the next hour and a half spending some quality time with the band and crew, and chit chatting until it was time for Patty to go on. We were the only two out there for quite a while. When Patty stepped off the bus, we just sat there and smiled as she smiled largely and said Hello, and we made no attempts to get up and bother her. However, a guy came racing up the instant she walked away, and started saying, "PATTY! PATTY! CAN YOU SIGN THIS!". Patty stopped for a minute in her tracks, and then walked backwards a few steps to sign this mans guitar. He then had his son and wife come up- who had MORE stuff for her to sign, and then they wanted photos with her. Patty was trying to hurry and move along, but they continued to ask for more stuff to be signed. After getting her third photo with them, she said her Goodbyes and headed off, and the boy said, "You Can't Sign this Mug??", to which Patty said, "I've really got to hurry". Patty was nothing but sweet to them and was in a great mood. I was quite annoyed that they had so much stuff for her to sign. More on THAT at the end of the review! During Jimmy Wayne's last song, we headed for a potty break and get a drink. We missed the intermission crowd completely, and
headed to our seats to sit down for her show.
Patty came out, and the crowd gave her a
great reception! There was a photo line that was going right in front of the front row, so Anita and I decided to get in the photo line just to go by. I took some pics, but my zoom was too big to really take it at that close of a radius. After "Tear Stained Letter", the photo line was done, so I imagine that it was a "One Song Only" deal. Patty came out in a sheer white shirt with a white tank top underneath and jeans with a dark blue "flame" sort of print on the legs, with wide flares at the ankles. She looked great, and I heard
a few of the guys around us making comments about how skinny and fit she looked. I agree, she looked great. She seemed to be in a fantastic mood, and was full of energy! During "Halfway Down", Patty was dancing her heart out and shaking her head all around! I looked at Anita and said "LOOK at Patty!!" and we were quite impressed- she was seriously digging the show!
Patty mentioned that she was looking for her mother in law. We figured that she was there, she usually is at most of the Georgia shows. Patty asked if Christie made it there ok, to which she heard no reply. Patty said, "Uh Oh..." and then a few rows behind us, Christie stood up and people were yelling "RIGHT HERE!" so that Patty would be able to see her. Patty looked over and said, "Oh good", and let Christie know that she had just talked to her son, and he wanted Patty to make sure that "Mama got there ok". Christie had a big smile on her face at the mention of Emory.
Because of the shows having three artists on them, she had to shorten her set list, which was only 11 songs long. We were bummed, and there was no acoustic set. However, she did make sure to do "Grandpa", even though there was no acoustic set. I love when she does "Grandpa" at the Georgia shows- when she speaks of Papa Cochran and Emory- the crowd appreciates every word because quite a few of them know about Papa Cochran and Emory since they are from there. It's always pretty cool for her to do it when Christie is there, as well!
I have no complaints with this audience, thank goodness! They appreciated every song she did, and were completely silent during all of the ballads. Since there was no acoustic set, she switched the songs around a tiny bit, and didn't do "Lovin All Night" and "On Your Way Home" after one another. Instead, "On Your Way Home" came right before "Blame It On Your Heart", which she closed the show with.
At one point in the show, Patty was speaking about Jimmy Wayne, and had everyone give him another round of applause. She looked down at the front row and smiled and then looked out and said, "Now thats sweet. He has a broken arm, in a cast, and she's helping him clap....Now THAT's togetherness!", and everyone laughed.
I told Deanie this after the show, but, she was kicking
ass during this show. She sounded absolutely awesome!! The intro to "On Your Way Home" on this night was probably the best I've heard! The band was well largely popular with the crowd. During Marcia's intro to "Nothin But the Wheel", a man yelled, "YOU GO GIRL!" and they all laughed. It was great to see some of the others see them for the first time and realize how
awesome Patty's entire band is! Jimmy Johnson was once again- getting DOWN! All three shows that I saw this weekend, Jimmy was really getting into the music. It was great to watch- I just love Jimmy!!
Patty sounded superb, but did you ever doubt she sounded anything less? She never disappoints, ever. She was sick earlier in the tour and still left her the stage with fans giving rave reviews. The woman has pure talent, plain and simple.
In between the shows, we headed out to the bus to spend our time with the band and crew again as we waited for Patty's second show to start. I wont do too many details of her second show, because it was the exact same. No set list change, and no encores, unfortunately. She had a 50 minute set list for each show. She changed clothes for the second show, and came out wearing plain jeans and her cream colored patterned shirt that she's worn at various shows this year, with (I have to mention this)- high heels that had the SKINNIEST heel I've ever seen in my entire life. I can barely walk right in flip flops or tennis shoes, so I sure the heck can't walk high heels like that! So props to Patty for not only knowing how to walk in them without tripping every two seconds, but dancing in them and everything!
During "Blame" on the second show, Patty had everyone stand up, and one girl became a dancing fool, and encouring some fans to start dancing. Patty caught this and started laughing and made a comment about not everying having to dance, she just wanted you to stand up!
The shows were fantastic, but we were bummed that her shows were separated the way they were, and much rather would have preferred one full show.
Now- onto after the show. The same family that had been taking advantage of Patty being kind enough to sign autographs also came back to the bus, arms full of more stuff they had bought at the show. There was also a few other people from Patty's hometown who wanted to see her, and were asking as many crew and band members as she could find about backstage passes. Anita and I sat there and observed. Some started asking band members to take stuff back. I saw one man ask EVERY SINGLE BAND MEMBER if they would take their stuff back to get signed.
When Patty came walking out, Anita and I continued to sit there- and the posse of people that was around us began to WALK CLOSER to the bus, getting quite close to the door. I was
shocked to say the least. Now, I'm about to start a rant here.....
Patty doesn't owe ANYONE an autograph. Not a single solitary soul. She doesn't HAVE to come out to the bus and sign autographs, and when you see her walking around prior to a show, she isn't "required" to turn around and come back to you to sign your stuff that you have. If you do get to meet her, just be thankful! I was just so ANNOYED with those who were hounding her the way they were, and I was getting ready to just get up, give the band and crew my goodbye hugs and head the hell out, I was just plain irritated.
Another part of my rant is the band. Not one of these band members are required to take your stuff to her to have it signed. I cannot even fathom asking them to take a armload of stuff in to have autographed. These folks (this is the crew included) leave THEIR families at home to travel the road with Patty and for what reason? To bring us, the fans, a fantastic concert. That's what you paid for- a great show. They have hard jobs...don't harass them all day long to get stuff signed for you!
THat's the end of my rant. I was just amazed at how rude some people could really be after watching such great shows! This is all my personal opinion, but give the woman some space, and when you do meet her, it will be worth it!
Many, Many thanks to Brent- you are the man! We love you!
