I went to his show at Stampede in 2006. It was awful. Chesney had been my favourite artist for a long time and when I heard he was coming to Calgary I was ecstatic. I bought two front row seats for $600. Since I was in Saskatoon doing my Master's degree, I flew back for the day and was ready to party. Since he is known for bringing his 58 trailers of equipment, stages, sounds, etc. I was expecting a big show. Also opening on this tour for him was Carrie Underwood and Dierks Bentley.
When I got to the show I was very disappointed to see Carrie and Dierks were left at home and the Roadhammers were opening. They are my least favourite band in the world next to the tragically hip. I didn't enjoy their set but was still pumped to see Kenny. When he came out I found out he left everything back on his tour in the States. He didn't bring up even a guitar. The sound system didn't work and they had to pump the music through the PA system. I was 5 feet away from him and I couldn't hear a single word or note. I went to the washroom and you could hear it more clearly in the concourse. The stage he is known for was non exsistent and there was just a black sheet covering the seats behind the stage and no monitors.
I wrote him a complaint letter and all I got back was a message saying they don't book the opening bands in Canada. Never again would I go to one of his shows. I still listen to his music and will buy his album, but I'd never drop a dime on one of his shows. I've been to Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Tim McGraw and others and they always bring a stage, screens and instruments. I hope for your sake that Kenny actually brings some stuff.
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