My First Country Concert

Well let me just start by saying I am a total heavy metal fan who loves bands like SLAYER, METTALICA, TRIVIUM, GWAR, DEVIL DRIVER, and any 80's hair metal bands. But when the wife said she wanted to take me to Keith Urban I said "what the hell, I took you to see Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden, but you will have to come see GWAR with me!" (we still in discussions about that one!)

So as we enter the Saddledome and walk thru the door I 'm waiting for some butchy lesbian to pat me down. Hey no security check , whats up with that? You mean I could have smuggled in a bottle of rum? Or some Roman Candles? Oh yeah I guess it is a country thingy. We get a alcoholic bevvy at the bar and find our seats. The crowd seems tamer than at a Megadeth show but I give it time. The first band that comes on is Lady Anabella. I thought it lacked a little energy although there was a smokin hot female singer there. Now don't get me wrong, some of the new country artists are good and country music today is not really country music it is more country rock per say with the hard rhythm sections heavy bass, drums but with a twangy guitar that reminds you it is still country genre. Once the first act is over I decide it time for another beer and a pit stop in the restroom.

Now this is where it gets interesting. I go to the restroom and there is no lineup but for the ladies restrooms it is lined up for ages. How can this be? When I went to see Iron Maiden I didn't even try to use the restrooms or would still be line up today waiting to get in! As I am in there (the restroom )I notice some females coming out of the entrance way. I had to check the sign on the door to make sure it was teh mens room. AS I go inside there are 6 other ladies in there, first thing I said was awesome! We finally have unisex bathrooms like in Ally Macbeal! But I guess cause the women's can was too long of a lineup....when u got to go........this was a switch though cause I am used to using the women's can in these situations where the men's room is lined up forever, and in a few local watering holes around town (that was another story though).

Finally Keith Urban starts his show with a riveting guitar riff by his electric guitar player and show carries on. There is a certain stench in the air that seems to be missing, a certain haze if you will, and seeing as there was no security check I figured it would look like Cheech and Chong were there. But no. Well the beer replaces all that missing haze effect and it still tastes the same and goes down the same and comes out the same as at a rock concert so say what the hell, on with the show. Now I have to admit Keith Urban is one hell of a guitar player and as I am self teaching myself guitar I appreciate more and more the efforts of players from all genres of music. So to see a country act like him shred out some solos like Steve Vai, well I had to be impressed. He kind of has a Jimmy Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Stevie Vai kind of mix to him or at least that what I thought. I would love to see if could play with the likes of Kirk Hammett or Dave Mustane. Bet he could. So I was impressed by the show and his playing ability and hearing those songs on the radio doesn't do much justice but to hear him play live well it was a whole new world. Like a bunch of musician's who want to be hard rock but got left behind on the c-train station with a bunch of country hicks (well it is Calgary) and got introduced to Country music. But like I said before it isn't country but more of Country Rock.

I would defiantly go see him again and now the wife wants me to learn Keith Urban songs on the guitar! Well if it gets me the female fans knocking my door down then why not!
Sorry hun, you're my my only fan!