The "I'm Not A Country Guy, But I Have A Country Gal!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Typing a story or two when a Michael Jackson song began playing.  At first I thought it was on my computer, but then realized it was coming from outside.  Opened the front door and sure enough, the music was blaring from speakers in the distance.  Knew right away what was happening, since the annual Fallfest is scheduled to take place tomorrow in the park about 500 yards from my front yard.  Local country and western radio station, WIOV, has been sponsoring Fallfest since 1992 and has featured musicians such as Tammy Wynette, Ricky Skaggs, Martina McBride, Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Dierks Bentley, Taylor Swift, Little Big Town, Gretchen Wilson, Steel Magnolia, John Michael Montgomery, Mountain Road and this year, headliner Adam Wakefield who was the runner-up on the TV competition show "The Voice".  The show used to be held elsewhere, but was moved to Overlook Park, located across the street from me, in 2008 to accommodate the 5,000 to 6,000 fans that show up for the concert.  

For the first time in the history of the show, a fee was charged to come to the show.  For years it was free, with many local businesses as well as radio station WIOV footing the bill for the outdoor concert.  This year $5.00 tickets were required to get into the outdoor concert.  When they first moved the fall concert to my neighborhood, parking was a problem, but satellite parking sites with free shuttle buses now keeps the cars out of the neighborhood.  This year's show featured Adam Wakefield, Gary Allan, Thompson Square, Mountain Road, and The Fast Lane Band.  

If I care to hear the show I can sit on my front porch and hear just about every note and word, but today I chose to walk to a nearby field high above the bandstand to take a few photos.  The weather is cool and overcast with a chance of rain, but the energy of the crowd will help keep it warm.  Got there just in time to hear Adam Wakefield.  I must admit I enjoy just about any music genre, but Country and Western isn't my favorite.  My favorite music is old-time Rock and Roll, but some of the old-time rock and roll artists were borderline country artists such as John Denver, Buddy Holly, The Everly Brothers, Chuck Berry, Little Richard and even Elvis.  

Adam Wakefield

I sat on the hill overlooking the bandstand, took a few photos, watched the crowd and listened to Adam sing "Lonesome" and "Broken and Blue."  His songs do have a sort of rock and roll, R&B and Country vibe to them, but I doubt if I would buy any of his CDs.  As I stood and began my walk back home, the sun broke through the gloomy sky and warmed the concert goers.  My grandson and his mom were part of the cleanup crew at the concert, since his scout troop receives a stipend for their efforts.  The crowd has always been great and appreciates the fact they can listen to their favorite performers at such a low cost.  Judging by the applause, they certainly are enjoying Adam.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.