I received an email right after getting back "home" last night (about 1:30A) from Dierks' tour manager informing me that one of their buses had broken down but they were back on the road and would be about an hour late. It wasn't a big deal for me. We had a late load in of eleven anyways so whatever worked as long as they got here.
On another note I was awoken this morning from a call from one of the acts that I had booked on the free stage. Their agent was calling with a crisis. It's amazing how many people can get involved on a Sunday even. The act was flying in but their bus was meeting them here. The bus was supposed to bring their trailer with all of their musical equipment in tow. Except someone didn't pick up the trailer. So the act is flying in from Vegas with nothing to play on. Nice. Our backline provider was already sorting it out and ended up having everything already on the grounds. Crisis averted! It's nice when they're that easy.
Back to the grandstand. I spent a little time playing catch up, working on schedules for Dierks' bus to roll in actually early! So first the bus breaks down, turns out the transmission was blown. They took Dierks' and two band members to a hotel only because they wouldn't fit on the second bus. Dierks' called his pilot buddy and had him get his (Dierks') plane and fly up today to get them and then fly in to Des Moines. They piled every other crew member and band member on the second bus and had headed here. Apparently there were like 17 people on the bus, sleeping on couches, etc. all the way from Ohio. Now they have to turn around and do it again and ride back to Nashville. You would think after a night like that they'd roll off a bunch of grumpy butts. Absolutely the opposite! I'm greeted with a friendly and chipper hello from the tour manager. Everyone has smiles on their faces and is ready to start the day. We couldn't have asked for a better day all the way around. The show was fantastic and the crowd was eating it up. Justin is definitely on his way up and has a huge fan base. Dierks' show was packed with hits. A few new songs and a ton of extremely popular songs.
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| Justin Moore with over 8,000 in the crowd |
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| Dierks Bentley closing the show |
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| The end to a perfect day, 8,000 camera phones lighting the sky |
A few months ago we were contacted by an organizer with a foundation called Operation Finally Home. They build homes and give them away mortgage free to soldiers that have came back from serving overseas. They had asked if they could present a home to their recipient between Justin and Dierks being on stage. We talked through several different scenarios as to how they could accomplish this. It was to be a complete secret for the solider. It ended up that one of the organizers called and invited them to participate in a veterans recognition ceremony. They got them tickets and meet and greets. It ended up to be the most overwhelming and humble experience I've had the opportunity to participate in during my career thus far. We took everyone up on stage, including the officer and his wife. Turns out they have a two week old baby and he convinced her to get a babysit and be by his side for this completely unknowing of what was going to happen. Kix Brooks (of Brooks and Dunn) had pre-recorded a message that was shown on the video screens. A local DJ welcomed the crowd and introduced the video. Kix welcomed everyone and explained what Operation Family Home was. He then thanked the solider for his service. At this point the soldiers wife nudged him and said, "You need to pay attention. Kix Brooks just said your name in that video!" At that point Kix introduced the builder that was standing on stage who thanked the gentleman for his service and eventually told he and his wife that they were being given a home mortgage free. The crowd was on their feet, cheering and screaming. Everyone of us was bawling like babies. Seeing the reaction on their faces was priceless and it made every minute that went into planning the reveal completely worth it. But it gets better. Right before we started Dierks' tour manager told me that Dierks' wanted to personally congratulate them as he was going to the stage. So we held them backstage, Dierks' walks up and carries on a conversation for a few minutes. The soldier was a complete fan to begin with so this was over the top for him. Dierks' walks away to walk over to his band and go on stage. I turn to see them in a arm over arm huddle to say a prayer to go on stage. What happened next is seriously making me tear up and have cold chills just writing it. They all yell for the soldier and his wife to come join them in their pre-show prayer.
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| You can barely see it but this is the prayer |
All in all the day could not have been any better and I seriously feel honored to have had the opportunity to be a part of it. We even dodged the rain! We were watching the radar the entire day waiting for this huge super cell to hit us. As soon as Dierks' bus and trucks pulled out, it has now started pouring. Tomorrow is a dark day in the grandstand, we don't have a show, so I'll be doing paperwork and phone calls at the office and spending a little down time at the fair seeing the sights and free stages.
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