In Case Anyone Wanted To Know How The VERY FIRST Show Of The Blood, Sweat & Beers Tour Went…

I was very fortunate to attend the first show of Eric Church’s Blood, Sweat and Beers Tour. It took place in Fort Smith, Arkansas at the Fort Smith Convention Center. I (again so very grateful) had VIP tickets which included lots of goodies! There was a dinner before (with great food), a bag full of merchandise (including a very classy set of shot glasses), an acoustic set and great seats!

The acoustic set consisted of two songs between dinner and the actual show. He sang “Like Jesus Does,” a track from Chief and “Before She Does,” a track from his first album Sinners Like Me. After those there was time for some questions from the fans.

I managed to get some talk time, where I first told him it was my birthday and then asked where he got the idea to write “Lightning.” He replied with a VERY “Happy Birthday” and said it came to him one day after watching the Green Mile. For those of you who haven’t heard it, go listen now! It will definitely tug at your heartstrings! After questions (and one more drink) me and my friends headed to the main building!

Brantley Gilbert was the opening act, but I only caught the first and last songs of his set…that’s because I was waiting in line for a cold beverage for, no joke, at least 30 minutes. This was one thing, that I feel, wasn’t thought out very carefully.

Once Church hit the stage all complaints or worries were out the door!!!! He ROCKED that stage, and when I say this I mean it 100 percent! I have seen him perform on several occasions (over 10) and I’m never disappointed, but last Thursday I was attacked with the amount of energy coming off of the stage and exuding in the audience. He packed the place, it was mentioned several times that this was a record breaking amount of people in the building! That’s with it being a Thursday night and previous artists such as Willie Nelson and Miranda Lambert playing the venue!

He played his classics “Two Pink Lines,” “Sinners Like Me,” “Guys Like Me,” “Pledge Allegiance to the Hag,” “Smoke A Little Smoke,” “Carolina,” “Hell On the Heart” and many others. Like clock-work, as soon as he started to sing “These Boots,” the majority of the crowd shucked their kickers and raised them high in the air! Church also played songs from his most recent album, Chief! Of course he sang “Drink In My Hand,” but what has become one of my all-time favorite songs, “Springsteen,” stole the show! He played the piano during the memory-lane, reminiscing tune, this is after learning the 88 keyed instrument days prior!

Basically it was one of the best shows I have seen in a LONG time! Most definitely the best show I’ve seen in 2012!

I strongly encourage you to catch a show if there is one near you, but hurry because tickets are selling out QUICK!