Saturday August 24th

Beach Jam 2003

Friday July 11, 2003

Sauble Beach’s “Beach Jam 2003” had everyone believing that it was Christmas in July. Even with the high winds, and constant drizzle a good crowd turned out for this event. As everyone in the crowd huddled together to keep warm, the excitement grew in anticipation of the start of the show. Barnard and Brohm, Jason McCoy and headliner Lorrie Morgan were tucked in their trailers trying to keep their warmth and spirits up as the weather continued to be against us. This was one Beach Party where everyone looked like they were part of the water fight.

Steve Barlow of Country 93 kicked off the evening with the help of a young lady who kicked a huge beach ball into the crowd.

As the smoke cleared the stage and mixed with the mist in the air Barnard and Brohm took to stage with their first single “And Then Some”. Warren Barnard, hailing from Owen Sound, is 17 years Ian’s junior and is inspired vocally by such greats as Alan Jackson, Merle Haggard and George Strait. Ian Brohm is an avid writer and musician from Haliburton who describes Warren as his musical soul mate. The five-piece band that accompanied them, including a fiddle player and keyboardist, created an awesome pumping sound to accompany the great vocals and harmonies of this duo. Their second song “Hello Honkytonk” had everyone tapping their toes to the beat and not just to stay warm. To keep the crowd going this duo played such songs as “Good Day to Run” and “Places I’ve Never Been” by Mark Wills before performing their second single “Ain’t Like Love”.

Between acts, John Martelli took the stage to entertain us while the stage was set for Jason McCoy. John is a lawyer from Port Elgin who performs as a hobby. He did a splendid job of keeping the fans going despite of the terrible weather conditions. Even with the threat of severe thunderstorms these great fans didn’t go anywhere. They showed dedication to the stars they came to see and proved the unfailing dedication of Country Music listeners.

Jason McCoy took the stage to a sea of umbrellas. Though the fans had to be drenched after sitting in the rain for more than an hour and a half already, they showed nothing but enthusiasm for Jason. He started his performance with “Little Bit of You” and kept up this fast pace with “Our Town”, “I Have a Weakness”, “Kinda Like it’s Love” and “Bury my Heart”. After a few jokes about Alberta and mad cow disease, Minising, Ontario native Jason performed acoustically while the band went back stage to warm up. Jason told of a story of his first performance. He worried his dad when, for a church talent show; he played an old George Jones classic. Jason then sang “Rocket Girl”, which he wrote and was recorded by Doc Walker who are also managed by Ron Kitchener, Jason’s manager.

In hopes of turning the weather around Jason played “Bright Sunshiny Day” and then, joined by Shane Guse, he did “Thank God I’m A Country Boy”. With the whole band warmed up and back onstage, they continued with “I’m Gonna Make Her Mine” off of Jason’s “Playing For Keeps” album. “10 Million Teardrops” was played next, a song written by Jason and close friend Tim Taylor. I am sure that during this song, more than one fan was looking to the sky, knowing exactly what 10 Million Teardrops would feel like. Jason finished off his show with “Born Again in Dixieland”, for which he has won songwriter and video of the year awards.

After a very brief intermission, the stage was being set while Lorrie Morgan was backstage signing autographs for a few lucky fans. Steve Barlow again took the stage to introduce this Nashville Recording Artist.

Lorrie took the stage to a screaming yet wet crowd and thanked everyone for staying. Lorrie agreed that she had come too far to be rained out, and let fans know that she would stay onstage as long as possible. With a baby grand piano, a bouquet of bright red roses and Lorrie dressed in jeans with a matching jean jacket; the stage was set for an exciting performance. Lorrie started with a few fan favorites including “Watch Me”, and “Except for Monday”, and then took a quick break to order a coffee to warm her up. She commented again on the weather, and one happy go lucky fan remarked, “Welcome to Canada” and Lorrie quickly responded with a big Lorrie smile, and said, “Thanks for having me”.

The crowd stilled as Lorrie introduced “If I Were a Painting” and the message described in the song. The cheers she received after the song let Lorrie know that the audience appreciated what she had to share with them. The next song she sang was one she recorded with another Nashville Legend, Dolly Parton. She teased her back up vocalist (whom Lorrie says is the prettiest on the whole stage) Brittany Allen about being able to fill Dolly’s shoes, and then remarked that she didn’t believe the crowd would be worried about her filling Dolly’s “Shoes”.

After a few more fan favorites, “Didn’t Know My Own Strength” and “What Part of No”, Lorrie asked the crowd if she could try some new material from her next album, due out sometime next month, simply titled “USED”. After explaining this would be the first time performing them onstage, she promised the fans that if she made too many mistakes she would have to come back and perform them properly next time. Lorrie performed a song called “Frank” which is about a guy she meets in a bar, who is trying to buy her a drink, not realizing that she has “baggage” that comes with her. The song is very down to earth, but also a very fun song about some of the truths behind dating.

Keeping in the relationships of today, Lorrie’s next new song she tried out on the crowd was the title track off her next album “Used”. A song about the mistakes and results of a relationship gone wrong, yet still getting through it and living your life.

A break in the weather meant the rain had stopped, but everyone was still feeling the cold, including those onstage. Lorrie asked for a jacket, and to delight many fans put on one of her own “Greatest Needs” tour leather bomber style jacket.

Lorrie treated the crowd when she talked of her “Momma” who raised 5 kids, and then sang “Amazing Grace” for her. She started out as a solo, but in the second chorus, Brittany took center stage with Lorrie with plenty of harmonizing. The third chorus was another treat for fans as multi talented Roger Edan, who plays many instruments with Lorrie onstage, joined in providing a third harmony.

Lorrie introduced the band, and then teasing about ages and growing up she sang a song called “Bombshell” which describes the aging process that a lot of women go through.

Lorrie closed off her show with “Something In Red”, a song that her mother loves, and that she herself didn’t want to record when she first heard it. Then Lorrie heard the whole song and learned to love it herself.

In true country fashion the crowd (still wet and cold) just weren’t ready to leave quite yet and after chants of “we want more” and “come back Lorrie” Lorrie Morgan came out for her encore “Without Love”. Those who had started leaving had turned around and come back to hear Lorrie finish off the night.

So even with the cold rain and a tired cold crowd, those who were able to attend Sauble Beach Speedways’ “Beach Jam 2003” had a lot of fun, and were truly entertained.
Thank you to Sue and all of the JARS production staff for the great night of entertainment they provided all of us. Thank you as well Steve for helping us out with the camera, as you said we all learn from experience J

Photos and article by

Genn Walton and Jenn Waechter