Saturday’s lineup cranks up the tempo
By Don Davis, The
Forum
Published Sunday, August 07,
2005
On average, it featured the fastest beats of the three-day country music and camping festival south of Detroit Lakes.
Tim McGraw’s last-day, last-act energetic show was his second straight WE Fest performance. Rumors spread late Saturday that McGraw would invite to the stage his wife, Faith Hill, whose newest album debuted this week.
WE Fest promoters would like to sign Hill next year, but she and McGraw plan to tour together and there is some reluctance to bring McGraw back three straight years, although he is popular among WE Festers.
New talent Shelly Fairchild kicked off the national artist portion of the Saturday program with a fast-moving set.
 | |
Dierks Bentley’s performance included “Lots of Leavin’ Left to Do,” a single that reached No. 3 on the country charts.
Even though she was not a headline act, Gretchen Wilson was greeted as if she was the star of the night. Her “Here for the Party” album has been on the charts for more than a year, and her self-professed red-neck roots attract the attention of many a young woman.
Thad Anderson walked across the stage, white T-shirt sleeves rolled up, and sang “Walking in Memphis.”
It was WE Fest’s secondary stage at the Soo Pass Ranch house Saturday afternoon. He admitted facing the prospect of being a bit nervous later when he opened for McGraw on the big stage, singing “Desperado” and “Nothing to Lose.”
Since he had nothing to lose, the North Dakota State University management information systems major – “It is kind of a nerd degree,” he said – expected to do fine.
Anderson, 22, of Fargo was being shown off as winner of the WE Fest karaoke contest. He made it through four levels of competition to beat 8,500 other singers from six states.
WE Fest Vice President Chyrll Sparks is convinced Anderson has what it takes to make it in the music business. Anderson is not sure that will be his path.
“It always has been something I like to do,” he said about singing, but he never considered it as more than a hobby until he won the karaoke contest.
Anderson said he normally sings karaoke once or twice a month. He decided to get serious about it in an attempt to win WE Fest tickets.
That, he did. And more. As winner, he received $2,500, a VIP WE Fest ticket package, the chance to perform at county fairs and an opportunity to have two songs put on a WE Fest karaoke album. Oh yes, and the rare break of singing in front of more than 40,000 country music fans minutes before McGraw walked onto the same stage.
Hips began swaying and couples started dancing the instant Alan Jackson walked onto the WE Fest stage Friday night.
Jackson, one of country music’s superstars, told more than 40,000 WE Festers that he would sing some of his old songs. “I hope you have heard one or two of them.”
It was more like people had not heard of one or two of them.
The audience sang his songs’ signature lines without prompting: “He’s gone country.” “I’m in love with you baby, and I don’t even know your name.” “Living on love.”
Few country singers have as many recognizable songs as Jackson and the audience proved it by singing with him most of the night.
A video showing his many music awards preceded Jackson’s set. He has taken home more than 80 major ones.
His “It’s 5 O’clock Somewhere” is the theme of many WE Fest campsites. The song justifies downing a drink because “it’s 5 o’clock somewhere.” Signs with the song’s title dot the campgrounds, where many people drink at all hours.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Don Davis at (651)290-0707
