Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Marty Stuart Travis Tritt Concert Review

Well.

The election’s over, what is there to talk about?

Oh! The concert! The Marty Stuart Travis Tritt concert! At the Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona! It rocked.

Tell me – can you be twenty-plus years older than your kids, go to a concert together, and all of you know all the words to all the songs? Music makes this family’s world go round, I promise, and it sure keeps us together, when we’re together! These young men are getting older by the minute and it’s times like these I treasure and will always remember.

Travis Tritt was awesome and worth the money, no doubt, but Marty Stuart was simply amazing. Travis has an amazing voice, which I knew from his recording, but in person, that boy has some pipes. And Marty Stuart? Oh, Lord. That man can play a mandolin like nobody’s business. He would play mandolin, then guitar, then mandolin, then sing. Travis mostly played acoustic guitar, absolutely phenomenally, and it was a gift just to be able to watch him pick. These guys flat burned up their instruments. Elder Son and Younger Son, both avid guitarists in their own right, were absolutely spellbound (as they sat on the first row, spoiled, spoiled, spoiled!).

Marty and Travis would sing harmony for each other, and it was beautiful. It was the best of the best of the best, unplugged. You can tell these guys are close friends, and they talked about their wives as they are precious jewels. (By the way, Marty is married to country legend Connie Smith.)

Both of these guys run true to their country roots, and are avid disciples of the old country traditions. They both played songs of their own, as well as covered those of other artists. They did a long, slow version of “I Walk The Line” by Johnny Cash, and it was absolutely beautiful.

Stuart started out touring with Lester Flatt and the Nashville Grass at age 13, and later joined the Johnny Cash Band. He credits all his success to the people that mentored him along the way, which was greatly refreshing. You can tell Tritt is a lover of all types of music, but blues and country just shine in him. He’s an amazing artist in his own right, and has enjoyed mentors in the business, as well.

Elder Son was talking to the couple behind him, and it turned out the man was raised in Big Spring, and knew brother Scott and myself. So we had a little mini-reunion at the concert, which was a cool thing! Shout out to Robert if you’re reading this!

The historic Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix is really neat, and is a theatre in the round, with a rotating stage, that first opened in 1963. The owner came out and visited with everyone, and had his dog with him. Everybody loved that! The crowd was pretty eclectic, and covered all ages. The people sitting around us were very nice, but I think it blew people’s minds that we flew from Texas to Phoenix just to watch this show.

Believe me, a fairly intimate concert with Marty Stuart and Travis Tritt, with my two bestest favorite sons? Honey, you just can’t go wrong there.

You just can’t go wrong.

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

Rock on girlfriend! That sounds awesome. Boy, you've just been all over the place lately, huh?

I can't wait to do stuff like that with my boys when they're all grown up. Tomorrow. ...sigh...

jill jill bo bill said...

Sounds like a blast. We did that with Willie Nelson and John David was like 4 inches from him and never took his eyes off his hand/guitar. He will never forget that.

That Janie Girl said...

Tricia - it was awesome! I have been a traveling girl lately, heading back to Pa. this weekend. Oh, yeah, fun with boys...not to be missed!

Jill - I bet that was fun. I would show you some pix of Elder Son with Willie, when he won a Willie Nelson sing-alike contest. Too cool for school. But it's on his myspace so I'd have to reveal his identity...

Bee said...

No way! I saw that concert in Portland, OR back in '91! Marty rocked the house and Travis begged us not to throw quarters. (Here's a Quarter, Call Someone Who Cares) but who would to a voice like buttah?

I LOVED that concert, too. It's amazing their still touring having so much fun, and being so good while doing it. :)

That Janie Girl said...

Bee - I would go again, tomorrow. They were worth every penny, and they had lots of fun, you could tell.

Pam said...

Way cool. You DO know how to party with the young uns! Coming our way soon?????

That Janie Girl said...

Pamo - it will probably be two weeks before I head that way. I figured you'd be snoozing with jet lag!

Gwynne said...

That warms my heart...sounds like such an amazing time all the way around and you did a great job imparting that feeling for the rest of us to enjoy. If ever they head our way, we'll go!

That Janie Girl said...

Gwynne, it was amazing, really. Thanks so much! I've missed you!

Travis Erwin said...

I've always thought Marty Stuart was under appreciated.

That Janie Girl said...

Travis - I heartily agree.

scotte said...

You know , I think its cool that you met Robert at the show. Did he mention that he is a recording artist? He has one or two #1 hits in Germany and Europe.

That Janie Girl said...

Dude. All I know is that it is a small, small, world.

Anonymous said...

I saw you mention this concert before but I just realized you had to have driven (or flown) from West Texas to Phoenix. Or did I misread something?

Anonymous said...

I was looking to see if there was a You Tube video of Marty Stuart & BB King doing Confessin' The Blues, but, alas, no.

MichelleB said...

Sounds like you had a blast!

Me and my hubby love Travis Tritt! We recently celebrated our 10th anniversary and after he surprised me with a gorgeous diamond necklace from www.idonowidont.com we danced all night to Travis' tunes! So romantic!

Doozie said...

I'm a closet Travis Tritt Fan. The only Marty Stuart I own is the duet they did together, This ones gonna hurt for a long time

Rae said...

Glad you had a great time :)!

catd264 said...

You write and have the most interesting adventures.

That Janie Girl said...

WC: no, we flew from Midland to Phoenix. We're in the middle of No.Where! And Marty Stuart and BB King? I'd love to see that!

X - thanks for stopping by! What a neat anniversary present and it sounds like y'all had a lovely time!

Doozie - they did that song at the show, it was amazing.

LG - we did, thanks so much!

That Janie Girl said...

Cat - you must have slipped in there when I was replying, chica!
You know as well as anyone that my life IS an adventure!;)

Snooty Primadona said...

I would have loved to see Travis Tritt...

Glad to hear y'all had such a great time.

That Janie Girl said...

We did, Snooty, we did. They both so rocked.

Junosmom said...

sounds like you're having more fun than I am - no fair. I'll have to follow your example.

Anonymous said...

Yes, I know what you mean. I saw them in Merriville Indiana. That is where they started the tour and they were both wonderful. I have seen Travis 6 times and love him and my first seeing Marty and wow did he do a great show. He is a gentleman and he seems down to earth. Love them both.
Anna

Anonymous said...

They were in Harrisburg, great concert and I had the chance to take this picture

Anonymous said...
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