How do you Fair? Dixie Classic Fair Memories

October is here and with it that ache that has become all too familiar.  Akin to homesickness for a place that is so familiar it feels like home.  To many it is just a county fair, a place for food, rides and fireworks; for me it will always be about friends, family and so many memories made.

I grew up raising and showing animals (pigs, sheep and beef cattle), the Dixie Classic Fair was always a favorite part of the show season.  As a child I loved riding the rides and eating all the cotton candy and candy apples I could get.  As I got a little older I found my favorite spot on the fairgrounds was not the midway but in the livestock barn.  The people were what really made the difference.  Many of them have been there my whole life and have watched me grow up.  The support and friendships made throughout my years of showing are some that I will always treasure.  Even though the livestock show brings a fair share of competition in that barn everyone works together and supports one another.

  I miss the early mornings before the sun was up, washing the cattle on the wash rack, late nights cleaning up, and taking a quick break eating lunch together on the showbox.  It was hard work but those times spent with my family are priceless memories that I will always hold onto.

I'm sure all of you have a similar spot that you love and miss, the Dixie Classic fair is mine.  It's where I grew up and the home of so many memories.

I have been attending the fair since before I was born, my first trip was in utero.

It's true what they say "Banners and ribbons will fade but the memories will last a lifetime."  Winning was nice but being able to share that with my family was even better.  I know my parents were proud of us each and every time we went in that ring, first place or last.  

Just looking at this picture I hear the whir of fans blowing, cattle mooing and I'm back in the barn. 

There's not a lot that compares to the feeling of walking into the ring and giving it your all.  Fellow showmen, enjoy your time it goes by so fast.

"It's sort of in your blood.  You don't think about the long hours or the money.  You do it because you love it." -Ross Haberfield

As I sit here eight hours away, I hold on and reminisce on the years spent and the memories made.  I can almost smell the scent of shavings, hear the announcer giving class results and feel that rush of walking into the ring.  

The fair will always hold a piece of my heart and I am forever grateful for the place it has had in my life. 

Dierks Bentley Concert

If you have been following along for awhile you will be familiar with the fact that I have a knack for winning concert tickets (guess that's my hidden talent).  This was the second concert for the summer and I was pretty excited about this one.  I had the chance to see Jon Pardi and Dierks Bentley a few years ago at Stagecoach and they were pretty great so I was excited for the opportunity to see them again with Kyle.

We were pretty blessed to have an overcast night with a little bit of a breeze and no rain!

I kept it pretty casual with my favorite Redhead camo hat and a tee shirt, jeans and my boots.

Funny story we actually ended up in the wrong seats for about 30 minutes.

The owners of the seats came up and were like yeah I think you're in our seats, we looked and sure enough we were a whole section over...whoops 🤦‍♀️

Tenille Townes was the first act and we were both pretty excited to hear more from her.  She has a really interesting voice, very raspy and heartfelt.  My favorite song from her is "White Horse".

Jon Pardi was up next and y'all I just really like him.  He sounds like a mix of old country and new.  His set was my favorite, simple feel like a honkytonk.  I'm a fan for sure! 

   

Dierks brought it for sure.  He is just a good time.  You definitely forget how many of his songs have been such big hits.  He put on a show and it was just a good time.

This amphitheater is definitely one of my favorites, big but still intimate feeling.

Dierks and Jon did a song together and of course it was great.  That's my favorite part of concerts when they do combos together or sing other songs you wouldn't expect.

Tenille came back out and sang a little Shania Twain and I sure wasn't mad about it.

It was a really fun night, I love country music so the chance to go hear it live and share it with my husband is a blessing.

Summer 2019: Brad Paisley Concert

The continuing saga of Erin's free concert tickets.  Y'all my secret talent might be winning concert tickets...

I ended up randomly winning Brad Paisley tickets a few weeks ago and my husband and I had a little Friday night concert date.

It rained earlier but we managed to have a rain free night, it was also not crazy hot since the rain cooled things off earlier.  

Riley Green is a really new so he only played three songs, Chris Lane played next and he was great.  I have been following him for a while since he is a local boy from near where I grew up.  It's neat to see him actually preforming for real.

He just recently got engaged to Lauren Bushnell from the Bachelor franchise, he told a few stories about her and it was really cute.

My favorite part of the whole night just might have been when Chris Lane did a whole old 90's country set and I was living for it!

Brad Paisley was up next and he didn't disappoint.  He is crazy talented and it shows.  My husband knows way more about guitar and playing music so he was really impressed with all his maneuvers and solos.

It was a really funny concert, they all just seemed to be having a good time together.  One girl gave them her phone to take a picture and they all took a selfie.

They didn't let her off easy, they then proceeded to go through her photos and showed everyone that she took a picture of her boots and led to the fact that she had a dirty picture (we will never know).  

They had a military salute which hits a little closer to home now with my brother coming near his deployment date.  I appreciate the support for military personnel and remembering their service. 

We really enjoyed spending our Friday night with Brad, great music and funny commentary.

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Free Country Concert: Lauren Alaina, Dustin Lynch and Cole Swindell

If you have been following for a while you know that I am pretty lucky in the radio ticket winning department.  Last month I happened to be in the car waiting for Kyle when I heard it was time to call and I ended up winning tickets to the Reason to Drink (Another) Tour featuring: Lauren Alaina, Dustin Lynch and Cole Swindell.  

It was still pretty hot and muggy even after dark, as you can probably tell by my hair...this was the only picture we got.

Lauren Alaina was really cute and she is crazy talented!

I was probably most excited for Dustin Lynch and he did not disappoint.  He just seemed like a genuine good guy.  His mom was in the audience and it was really cute.  He even busted out some Drake at one point.

Cole Swindell was really great, he definitely pulled on the heartstrings and sang a song about his dad who passed away.  He connects with his audience and pours his heart out.

Towards the end all three of them came out and sang 90's country and "Meet Me in the Middle".  That section was probably my favorite part.  You can't go wrong with some Garth Brooks and Shania Twain.

Lauren came out in a Roll Tide shirt for her second outfit, I told you she was cute!

Low quality picture but they really seemed like they were so happy to be performing together, they were so cute.  All three seemed so genuine, humble and grateful for where they are and the opportunity they have.  It was a really good concert, they were really talented and we had fun spending our Thursday night with them.