Saturday August 24th

Saturday August 24th, 2002

The 2002 tour brought Alan back to Ontario with his special guests, the group Pinmonkey and in contrast to his last stopover (back in 2000) it came in the summer, to an outdoor theatre and during one of the busiest events to take place during the summer in Toronto - the Canadian National Exhibition. With ‘The Ex’ being in full swing you would expect the concert to be a popular drawing card, especially with the success of the latest Jackson offering, “Drive”. Three of the songs from “Drive” had already proven to be typical chart climbers and the latest release - “Work In Progress” - was receiving its fair share of airplay. The addition of the group Pinmonkey to the bill was an incentive to add the ‘younger’ element to the crowd (not that Alan isn’t a draw there too) and as they would soon prove, having this attractive, talented and personable group open the show was a good choice.

The Molson Amphitheatre would play host this time and contrary to the odd sprinkle felt throughout the day (at least in other parts of Southern Ontario) the rain would hold off, sparing those in the back sections or on the lawn seating. It was our first visit to the Amphitheatre and it was much larger than I expected. The seats were filling quickly when we got there and took care of the ‘formalities’ that must be followed when attending such events so when I got the chance to twist around and take it all in there were cowboy hats and smiling faces as far as the eye could see. As one member of the security staff mentioned to us, there were fans of all ages in attendance decked out in their versions of ‘country wear’...some with hats, some without, some with baseball caps and ‘Alan’ T-shirts and girls, girls and more girls.

Casey Clarke from CMT was hard at work during this show, not only handling the introduction for Pinmonkey but also taping his next edition of “CMT’s Screening Room” behind the scenes with Pinmonkey as the special guests.

“Speak No Evil” is the album that features the single “Barbed Wire And Roses”, the vehicle that introduced the group to Canadian fans. This being their first trip to Canada the guys were quite excited, though I think that they’d be excited about anything since being brought along with Alan and his Strayhorns. “Augusta” is the next single due to be released October 8th and “Every Time It Rains” was the song that they admitted they didn’t really want to do...seems that whenever they’ve performed this during the tour it’s brought on rain storms. But they did, and it didn’t...must be beginners luck, first trip to Canada and all. “Put Your Arms Around Me Baby” was very well done; I’m going to have to look that one up. “Barbed Wire And Roses” was led off by Chad on dobro and as the familiar strains were heard a noticeable ripple went through the crowd. “Stay With Us”, a gospel song that highlighted the group’s ‘Southern’ feel would be their last song and it was a very good selection as I’m positive that they gained many new fans from their short but very well executed set. It’s nice to see a group that looks contemporary (much in the style of ‘Keith Urban’) but sounds and feels like old time country meets alternative rockabilly. They definitely have a sound of their own and there are no ‘unpleasant surprises’ when you see them live, they’re as pleasing as they are on their recordings.

During the final adjustments by the stage crew the Strayhorns began filing out and checking out their instruments. Around 9 the lights died right down and the crowd began to ripple again. The band filed out and took their places but the house lights came up again - must be a little while yet. At 9:15 the house lights dimmed, the stage lights came up and everyone starts to go crazy. The back screen that Alan likes to use features a shadow silhouette of a familiar profile topped by a hat and as the voice of the ‘unseen announcer’ comes over the sound system the Strayhorns open up with the anthem “Gone Country”. From stage right comes the slow-walking, upright figure with the usual white hat and as the crowd erupts he stops centre stage, looking around and smiling before he asks, “How’s everybody doing tonight?” At the response he grins, slips the guitar strap over his head and joins in with the band. At the first words the crowd goes crazy again and he really seemed to be into it, smiling and looking around through the whole song. In a long sleeve black shirt, those familiar snug jeans that appeared to lace up at the side bottoms and some well-worn, comfortable looking boots he fit right in with the song and from the reaction of the crowd everyone there was darn proud to have ‘gone country’. With barely a pause they went right into “I’m In Love With You Baby (And I Don’t Even Know You’re Name” and the video flashed past on the screen behind him interspersed with clips of Alan from the videographers at the stage. While some of the Strayhorns had solos during the song Alan took the time to stride across the stage to the side and collect bunches of flowers from admiring ladies, then over to the other side to shake some hands and collect a few more flowers. He had the lights shone into the crowd so he could see out and he thanked everyone for coming out. “It’s been a few years since we’ve been up this way”, he said, before saying he hoped everyone would have a good time. From the roar I don’t think anyone thought it would be possible NOT to. “Tall Tall Trees” was followed in quick succession by “Living On Love”.

For anyone familiar with Alan’s shows you’ll know that he likes to flash those large photos of his parents on the screen during this song. It was all the more touching this time around because since his last visit he’d lost his father, so the photos of mother, father and a young Alan really reaffirmed this song as a tribute. Added to this were the various later shots, dressed up parents posing in the yard, what appeared to be anniversary shots of an older couple - obviously still close and happy - and the song finished off with a similar layout of an older mother, father and a now-grown up Alan...courtesy of the videographers again. As the screen faded to black the message “In loving memory of Joseph Eugene Jackson – January 31, 2000 …flashed briefly, and the crowd responded. From almost the first words they’d been singing along anyway, so it was with all their hearts that they cheered in memory of the man who’d been Alan’s daddy...the only two men in a houseful of women.

“When Somebody Loves You” was up next and I have to say I think it’s my favourite Alan Jackson song...I can’t even tell you why, it’s just worked out that way. Maybe it’s because his voice sounds so amazing during this song. Back up to speed for “Summertime Blues” and shots of the video would play briefly in the background. For “Gone Crazy” the mood turned again, with the screen covered by a black curtain and the side screens going dark, allowing all of your attention to be focused on the figure in the spotlight. Even the Strayhorns were hidden in the near darkness. “WWW Dot Memory” not only brought the lights back up but the screams too, obviously a lot of ‘techno fans’ out there. “Little Bitty” is another favourite, with the crowd singing along for the whole song and a good number of them on their feet for it too. An incredible guitar solo by one of the Strayhorns suddenly gives way to “Don’t Rock The Jukebox”, which energizes the crowd to their feet again. During the solo Alan headed back to the front of the stage again, ready and willing to shake some hands, sign some autographs (including someone’s cowboy hat) and he seemed to be much more ‘interactive’ than in previous shows. After this song he takes a minute to introduce the Strayhorns, saying who’s who and where they’re from. Alan tells the crowd he was given an award backstage for “Drive”, now certified Platinum in Canada. He thanked everyone for the support and said he’d be going back a few years for his next song, right back to the beginning for “Here In The Real World”. Following this he tells about being from a little town in Georgia (Newnan, as a matter of fact). He moved to Nashville “a few years ago” and has been making records for about 13 years now.

His next song would be an old favourite he’d been singing since he was “a little kid in Georgia”...a surprising choice, for it turned out to be “Seven Bridges Road”, done with a little different arrangement that most would be used to, more ‘bluegrassy’. Excellent job, I think he should record it (if he hasn’t already). “Work In Progress” next song up, the most recent single released. A fog machine accompanied the next song with Alan sitting on a stool. “Pop A Top” had everyone up on their feet again with an absolute roar coming out of nowhere for “Drive”, as the video appeared on the big screen behind him. “Who’s Cheatin’ Who” had the whole pit section bouncing up and down in time to the music. During this one Alan strode along the front of the stage, tossing guitar picks out into the crowd.

Pandemonium everywhere when the opening riff of “Chattahoochee” was played, and there was dancing in the streets...well, not really. Actually, those who attempted to do their dancing in the aisles were told to return to their seats, which was in the best interests of crowd safety but didn’t go over too well with those who’d made maybe one too many trips to the beer counter.

“Where I Come From” was a real treat. For their first return to Ontario in a couple of years they really went all out, as the beginning of the song was accompanied by video of Toronto area landmarks. The appreciative crowd roared their approval for the things that meant the most...mild applause for government buildings, loud cheers for the Raptors, the Leafs, the Blue Jays and absolute frenzy for Molson, Labbatts and Canadian...yup, the beer counter crowd again. Some shots of service personnel got the loud cheers too...ambulance workers, police and the firefighters, standing in a row next to their engine and holding a helmet turned sideways. As the camera zoomed in on the helmet you could see the “NY 2001” sticker, featuring a skyline that will never be the same again. The applause became calmer, more respectful, and the video came to an end. In the hush that followed the video the band started in to the only song that was expected but hadn’t been played yet...”Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning”. Obviously it was expected, as lighters were instantly everywhere in tribute and one person in front of us held up two crossed flags, one Canadian, one American, for the duration of the song. Cowboy hats were held aloft, baseball caps and anything else folks had brought with them. At the end of the song everyone rose in a standing ovation that went on for a while, then Alan told the crowd “Thank you very much”. He gave a few more waves to the crowd and he headed off stage. The folks who’d waited two years to see him weren’t letting him go that easily and the ovation continued in an effort to bring him back. Success! “Mercury Blues” was the encore song and as the band and the crowd jumped into it we got while the gettin’ was good. When you have that many people enjoying a show with only so many exits you could expect a long escape.

I have never seen such a relaxed and easy-going Alan Jackson before and he really seemed to be comfortable with who he is and what he does, not that he wasn’t at previous shows but he had a different quality about him this time. The interaction with the crowd was very nice to see and I know that anyone there who wasn’t a 100% fan before would have been by the end of the show. As someone who has been a fan for many years now I can safely say that yes, he’s a keeper! Head out and see for yourself. You won’t regret it!

We would like to thank some pretty amazing people for helping to make this coverage possible. First, the gang at Force Inc. for their dedication to those they work with and for their professional way of handling things. Thanks to the House of Blues, for ensuring that everything runs the way it should and making it successful for everyone. To the staff at the Molson Amphitheatre, you all do a great job - 100% satisfaction, guaranteed. To Holly and Jeff, thanks for the welcome and the help. We’ll see you next time. Thanks always to Alan Jackson and his team for giving us so much enjoyment and being ever so helpful. And to Pinmonkey, it was great to see you. We really enjoyed it and hope you’ll be back again soon. And Casey, how could we forget you? It’s always great ‘bumping’ into you, no matter what the circumstances. Country music has a lot to be proud of with all of you involved.

Written by Kim Jamieson

Photos by Wayne Tozzi