I saw Tim McGraw at Summerfest three years ago, and it was a fantastic show. So I was excited to see him again this year. His last gig at the Marcus Ampitheater was boot-stompin' fun – disclaimer: I don't actually own cowboy boots. I probably wore sandals like I did tonight. But other people stomped their boots – with a good mix of old songs and new. I like the singles I've heard off their latest album, "Damn Country Music." So I had every reason to believe I would once again have a great time.
I was not disappointed.
Before I dive into my thoughts on the performance by McGraw, though, I want to quickly mention opening act, Kacey Musgraves – with apologies to the other opening act, Ryan Kinder, since I only caught his last song, which was very good. I'm a fan of Musgraves, though she's very old-school country, reminiscent of Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn, so I have to be in the right mood. But her hour-long set was energetic and fun, much like the performer herself. Her voice is strong and crisp, and her songs full of observations about life, home and family, among other things. My only complaint with her set was that the bass was too heavy. My teeth vibrated each time the bassist plucked a string. Overall, a fun show to perfectly whet our appetites for the main event.
With timing so perfect it seemed choreographed, as Musgraves was thanking the audience and dancing off stage, the first of the U.S. Bank fireworks went off. While the Ampitheater isn't an idea venue for watching them, it was a nice bonus to entertain us between musicians.
Just as the fireworks ended, the house lights went out, the stage lights came up and the Dancehall Doctors took the stage. And on strutted McGraw, opening with a passionate, guttural-voiced performance of "How Bad Do You Want It?" He was dressed in a country singer uniform of ripped jeans, cowboy boots, a black cowboy hat, a large gold belt buckle and a tight gray T-shirt that read "Humilitee."
For the second song, McGraw hopped off stage so he could high five and fist bump fans. One fan gave him a banner that read "I love Tim." He got back on stage to show it off to the crowd. Later in the show, a fan handed him a marker and a flag with the state of Louisiana printed on it. Since he couldn't hold the microphone and sign the flag, he gave the women his mic so they could sing the chorus of "Just to See You Smile" while he autographed their flag.
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