entertainer of the year

Over the past several years, the music played at our house has morphed into constant country. Thanks to DirecTV playing satellite radio, Larry tunes in to all country-all the time stations from morning to night. I am learning to like it through osmosis. Most of the songs have melodies and words I can understand, but I'm not crazy about all the messages. For example, who can get revved about a big green tractor? Oh yes - my husband! He'll ride HIS big green tractor while mowing our 3 acres and sing along with his iPod at the top of his lungs. Good thing he has a good voice, cuz everyone driving down our country road can hear him.

We had to watch the CMA Awards the other night on TV and Brad Paisley won Entertainer of the Year. Larry was in heaven, because he had purchased tickets for us to see Brad in Rochester just a few nights later. We were going to be seeing Country Music Royalty!

(photo by Brady Dillsworth, Democrat & Chronicle)

The Blue Cross Arena was virtually sold out and the fans were psyched. Justin Moore and Darius Rucker opened for Brad...and then there he was. The stage was huge and the digital graphics were amazing..

We had great seats - second row, just one section away from the stage. And there was a runway right in front of us. Brad was not even 6 feet away:

I took this closeup of his guitar from the big screen. His finger work is just amazing...

He never left the stage during the entire show, had boundless energy and a great sense of humor:


We enjoyed every minute of it and loved our great seats. Thanks, Brad - you well-deserve your Entertainer of the Year award!