CMA Festival - Day 1 - June 11, 2009

Well - today started off SSSOOO well… I planned ahead - I got up early - I recognized there would be a crowd… so for a 10:00 concert kicking off the Riverfront stage - where ticket holders could get in at 9:00 and the non-paying public could get in at 9:30 - I got there at an unbelievable 7:45 to get in line (and be the 75th person in line, no less). But no worries, as time drew close, I too got closer - got my bag checked - and made it inside at about 9:00 am (for the show starting at 10:00).

There was a mad rush to get the best seats - complete with sound effects of a stampede, which was awfully cute… So I landed a primo spot right at the center of the stage and the second grass section back… laid down my towels, secured my space… brought out my umbrella to cover my computer and other necessities… and was ready for the MUSIC! (in an hour). So everything is going great… And then... the sky looked like this:




And at 9:45 when the producer of the festival came out to warn us that while they could play through the rain, they couldn’t play through lightning. And they had the National Weather Service on hand to tell them when the lightning was going to come (defined as: “the lawyers made me be this safe”) SO… they evacuated the WHOLE PARK!! Can you believe that?!?!

My whole morning was wasted!!

So I left as instructed and followed the herd into the Wildhorse Saloon as instructed - who wasn’t even selling alcohol yet!!!! Then when I came out the line to get back in was SSSOOO long it wasn’t even worth it!!

So… I gave up on the riverfront concerts… the line (that I got up at the crack of dawn to avoid) just wasn’t worth it!! My first plan was to go watch the dokdogs competition or the dog Frisbee/high jump show… but it got rescheduled for an hour later. But then luckily our new friends from yesterday had the foresight to go to the rooftop bar while it was still slightly raining and snag the corner primo table with the ultimate view of the Sommet Center stage (with beer table service)… what a way to spend the afternoon! The Sommet Center stage doesn’t have quite as good of acts as the Riverfront Stage (who doesn’t have quite as good of acts as the LP Field stage), but nonetheless they have some great performances… you’ll read all about them. So here I am at the rooftop bar watching the off-off-broadway performers drink beer and getting waited on - what a THURSDAY! Here’s the 411 on the performers… Other than the first one, who I missed!) I’m going post individually so they can be tagged appropriately.

And here's me at the bar...