I have been excited for concerts, anticipated the first
glimpse at my superstars, craved the loud music and felt the vibes: but never
like this.
Never could I have imaged the chaos or the magic in the air
radiating from 18,000+ fans not-so-patiently awaiting the one and only, Garth
Brooks.
As I strolled into the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, New
York, I was surrounded by crowds of people, young and old, cowboy boots and
hats, high heels and dresses; it didn’t seem to matter who you were because at
that moment WE were the Friends In Low Places.
Kicking off the night was one of Garth’s backup singers and
long-time friend, Karyn Rochelle. The Nashville dweller took the stage with her
guitar and charm. We listened to the sassy Jezebels,
and the motivating ballad, Better
Off. We even got a few of our favorites that Rochelle co-wrote like Red High Heels and From a Table Away.
Finally. The moment we were all waiting for. I was expecting
a thrill, a scream-fest, a heart pounding moment of pure excitement. For a moment
there was, but as the stage lit up and His voice read out the words to Man Against Machine, a figure appeared
standing with his cowboy hat tipped down to the ground, guitar in hand. The
thousands of screaming voice seemed to fade. There was a calm. Never had I
imagined the moment Garth Brooks stepped on stage like this. Talk about
awestruck. We were witnessing a significant moment in country music history.
As Garth’s voice broke over the crowd and loud music
signaled the start of the show, a roar, the one we had been anticipating,
filled the arena. From that moment on, we never quit singing, never let our
hands fall from the air.
Side note: Garth’s favorite song to perform is Callin’ Baton Rouge. And let me tell ya,
it was obvious.
I have seen the best of the best.
I have shook their hands, sang their songs and partied as they rocked the
stage. But in my entire 21 years I had never felt such raw moment at a concert
that I shed tears; until this night. As the air filled with the sounds of The River, we were making our own.
People cried as they sang, some even stood silently with tears rolling down
their cheeks. It takes a true artist to move people the way He did. Lighters
and phones began to shine like stars as Garth stopped singing, held his hands
to his face, and listened to the voices around him singing as one. To see such
an accomplished and talented man be so touched by something (even after hearing
it night after night) was truly stunning.
The beautiful Trisha Yearwood didn’t disappoint either. How
could you NOT love dancing and singing to She’s
In Love With a Boy or X’s and O’s?! Holy flashback to my entire childhood.
She left us breathless with her last performance of the night, Prize Fighter.
As an encore, Garth came back out alone. He picked his next
songs by the titles he saw held up on signs in the crowd. He kept it personal.
As only Garth could do.
From the classics, to the new songs, the chords that drive
an audience mad, to the infamous third verse, Garth out sang even country
music’s youngest and brightest stars. The legend doesn’t just live on; he thrives.
Until
next time- keep the music playing,
Morgan McCarthy Warda
Notes:
I noticed my frequent
use of the world never. And it’s for this reason: it was a bittersweet
experience standing beside people that were 70+ years old and some that were
just young teens…both watching what would probably be the last time they stood
before Garth Brooks. I, myself, included in that mix. Maybe some would find enough
luck to do it again. But If Tomorrow
Never Comes, we have been blessed with the experience of a lifetime.
What I wore: Tribe Kelley midnight bells didn’t fail
me as I danced all night