YIPPEE!! Don and I finally get our chance to see Vince, Amy and the gang on Friday 9/7 at the Ironstar Amphitheater in Murphys, CA. We've never been there - it's about a 6 hour drive from where we live - so we're relying on Mapquest to guide us there. I'm actually taking a vacation day that day so we can leave early. I do not want to risk being late even a second. I am sooooo excited!!! Have been suffering from the worst Vince-withdrawals EVER. Seems like ages since I've seen him and all the wonderful reviews here on the board have been a mixture of agony (not being able to make it to a concert yet) and enjoyment (have loved every detail!) I already have butterflies. Anybody else from the board going to be there? Would love to meet you!

Enjoy the show Hilary!!! Glad you get to see the show!

I am exited for ya! It has been too long for me since I have gotten to see a Vince concert. A couple of songs at the Opry has to hold me for a while. Have a blast!

Thanks guys. I've been driving Don crazy... since about 5:00 tonight I've been doing a running commentary, starting with, like, "Tomorrow night at this time, we'll be checked into our hotel and heading for the concert!" ..and "Tomorrow night at this time, we'll be heading to our seats at the concert!" and "Tomorrow night at this time, we'll be in the throes of the Vince concert!" Good thing he's a huge fan too.

Hilary,You are so funny I know you and hubby will have a great time and please,please hurry right back and give us a review.Can't wait.

well, I was lucky enough to also attend the Ironstone concert. what a beautiful venue, fabulous weather and a great crowd. as guests of the owners, John and Gail Kautz, we had fantastic seats - so close to the stage that we could see sweat on VG's brow.

the concert details that were given in the "my 100th show" thread were almost identical to last night's performance. the following are just a few of my observations...

kick-a$$ talent, consumate musicianship and a humble persona made for a wonderful performance and an even more enjoyable evening.

although many songs that VG sings are ballads, when he was on stage with no less than SIX, count 'em SIX, guitars, a great 4 piece horn section that added depth and soul, two keyboardists and 2 percussionists (and assorted fiddles, mandolins, etc), he's as much a rocker as any on the planet!

my husband, even though from oklahoma stock, shunned bluegrass...until last night. the del (mc?)coury band was as tight as you can get w/o popping. appearing in black pinstripe suits and ties, these guys were so hot they were on fire! their act is polished and choreographed - such a juxtaposition to the straight-out-of-the-holler tunes and voices! they actually got the crowd to their feet first.

before the show started, I told DH, "I wonder if he's gonna get all musicians on stage to jam together" and "I hope he sings "Go rest high" (which I thought was a long shot 'cuz it's such a mega sad, tear jerk ballad).

the last hour was VG with the del (mc?)coury band, then the rest of VG's band. at one point, there was a jam with twin fiddles, twin banjos, twin rythym guitars and twin mandolins.

I almost couldn't stand it, it was so good. then the show was over and they came back for an encore where every one was on stage and they sang "Liza Jane" which of course, everyone was dancin' hoopin' and hollerin'. then he dropped the tempo and finished with "Go rest high." OMG - thought I was gonna die.

amy grant's voice couldn't stand up to all the rockin' going on. she really needed a more, how to say it, subdued musical backup.

a big downer was a guy in the very front who, at the beginning of the show, made some heckling comments to VG, which he heard. after the 2nd or 3rd, VG, visibly annoyed said something to the effect, "hey buddy, did anyone pay $50 to come see you sing? shut your a$$ up"

go vince! no more was heard from that SH.

I also got to do a meet-and-great with VG. what a night!

hilary - hope you had a safe drive back to where ever you came from. we live in the area. a hop-skip-and jump away.

Julie,Great review.I will be at the concert in Prescott Valley,Az.tomorrw evening.My friend has never seen Vince before .I told him hang on for the best.

Julie what a great review. when you have vince you have the best.
he is just awesome, you just have to love that guy. ( I do )
love ya, Shirl, in PA. ------- Lady Gill.

Julie, great review and WOW what a show that was! What a gorgeous venue, too. Our tickets came with a buffet dinner, absolutely delicious and delightful, the tables alongside a beautiful pond at sunset at the gorgeous vineyard. We sat with some super nice people, all Vince fans of course but all of them seeing him for the first time. I'm sure they were blown away!!

The crowd was huge and enthusiastic, like Julie said... and as we were leaving I heard several people saying things like ..."Wow, I've never seen anything like that before... I can't believe he played for almost 4 hours!"... and another said "He just walked out and started playing at 8:00 on the dot -- right on on time. What a concept!"

It's been 2 weeks and I am still on my Vince concert high. Amy and Jenny were wonderful too... and the Del McCoury Band were just great. The musicianship all night was indescribable. As usual, I am blown away and Don too. We just couldn't stop talking about it and we still are! (and we also liked it when Vince put the heckler in his place. Very well done, Vince! It sure shut the guy up.)

A quick update on my earlier report of the concert at Ironstone Vineyards in Murphys, CA - pride of the Mother Lode.

As I mentioned, I was fortunate to do a meet-and-greet with VG before the concert. The official Ironstone photographer snapped a picture and last week, I received that photo. I had a chance to chat with the photographer who gave me, as he put it, "the inside story" about that heckler incident.

Apparently, security sent someone to sit in back of the guy. Security tapped on his shoulder and basically said something to the effect - one more peep outta you buddy, and you're outta here!

No more was heard.