The Concert

Bill and I went to a concert last week. This shouldn't be big news. Throughout our married life we have attended dozens of concerts--sort of "together." This may have been the first time, though, that we attended a concert of my choosing.

Last week's concert.

When we lived in Traverse City, Michigan, Bill was the assistant manager of an ice hockey arena that also hosted several big-name concerts each year. During the summer, when most concerts were held, I helped out in the front office occasionally, organizing files and selling tickets. Bill was sometimes elected to introduce the performer of the evening, but no matter what, he was required to work at every concert, making sure that the entertainers and their entourage had everything they needed. It wasn't always easy, because some of the people were extremely demanding and downright rude.

As a perk of Bill's job, we always received free tickets to every concert. I was lucky if Bill got to sit with me for more than a few minutes of each show, but we were excited to see, and often meet,  the big names of that day--Bob Hope, Johnny Cash, B. B. King, Crosby and Stills (I don't think Nash or Young were with them then), Debby Boone, and Amy Grant, just to name a few.

When we moved to Gering, Bill often volunteered to help set up Oregon Trail Days concerts, and run lights. I've attended quite a few of those concerts, too, usually sitting up on the top row of bleachers, or even on top of the mechanical building, wherever the spotlights were positioned, swatting the bugs that inevitably gather around bright lights during outdoor events.

As a young teen, Meagan liked to help Bill run lights at Five Rocks.

After a while, I wasn't nearly so excited to attend every concert, so one of the girls would join Bill, helping with spotlights. By then, the City of Gering had a new outdoor venue, Five Rocks Amphitheater, located on the southwest edge of town, with beautiful sunset views of the five "rocks" that make up Scottsbluff National Monument.

The "Rocks" at sunset.

I've been to many events at Five Rocks, where we have seen some nationally-known performers, as well as some good local groups. This summer, though, I was excited to hear that a well-known Christian group, Big Daddy Weave, was coming to Gering. This time I ordered the tickets myself,  hoping that Bill would be in town to go with me, but confident that I could convince someone else to use my extra ticket, if necessary.

The cheap seats are the best.

Bill got home from his most recent trip the day before the concert, so we loaded up our chairs, and headed to Five Rocks. There is a tier of cement bleachers right in front of the stage--the premium seats--but very few locals will spend the extra money for that so-called preferred seating. The benches are just too hard, and often too hot. Our chairs were much more comfortable, and we could hear the concert just fine from anywhere in the arena.

The floating words were really part of a huge light bar that blended in with the rest of the lights.

It was still daylight when the concert began, but it was a gorgeous evening, 75 degrees, with just a light breeze. We couldn't really see the light show for the first few songs, but the lights became brighter as the evening grew darker. I loved the way the lyrics seemed to float in the air above the band.

Scotts Bluff, just after sunset.

Big Daddy Weave, aka Mike Weaver, and his band performed wonderfully, singing many familiar worship songs while the well-mannered audience sang along. The music was uplifting. The light shows were impressive. I was content.

The audience, silhouetted against the setting sun.

The Finale.

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!   Psalm 100:1