There are probably not a whole lot of places better than Fort Worth, Texas to experience some good country music. Growing up just outside of Fort Worth, I have been surrounded by country music basically my entire life. It was the only thing played in my house growing up and I can always remember my mom playing some of her old Willie Nelson records and my grandparents dancing around their house to George Strait and Alan Jackson songs.
I had always loved listening to country music when I was young, but I never really developed the appreciation I have for it today. Until one day, just after my 16th birthday, my mom came home with some tickets to see Robert Earl Keen at a local music and arts festival.
For those of you that may not know who Robert Earl Keen is, here are a few of my favorite songs that he has written.
That concert really opened my eyes to the world of live country music, which I never thought I would enjoy so much. Ever since that concert, I have developed a new sense of appreciation for country music, and nowadays I find myself really looking forward to any chance I get to go see a country artist perform. Although I might spend most of my time these days listening to some rock band, I still have a soft spot for country artists, and if I hear it at a bar or on the radio, or even on my iPod, I always find myself letting the music play and singing along.
You almost word-for-word described my very first country concert! That anxious excitement you get when you’re getting dressed to go is something I love, and yes you must wear cowboy boots to these gigs (especially if they are outdoors). That anticipation of just knowing you are going to have a great time just makes you want to get there faster. You mentioned about how everyone’s attention during the opening act was more on the bar and all their alcohol, and I specifically remember at my first country concert, Randy Rogers Band, noticing the exact same thing. I thought maybe that was just because everyone did not like the opener at that specific concert, but as I went to see other artists such as Granger Smith and Josh Abbott I quickly realized it was almost like a tradition/social norm. I guess everyone is just preparing themselves for what is yet to come!
Robert Earl Keen is such an interesting “in” to country music. I don’t think I had heard about him until I moved to Austin, though I had probably run across the “Road Goes On Forever” song somewhere. Anyway, I think you’re right that the best way to fall in love with a performer is to see them live.