Boots & Hearts 2013: Dean Brody and Jason Aldean, Singing In The Rain

On a day filled with rain, lightning and mud, there was still plenty of desire to party at Boots & Hearts.

Here’s the thing… The weather wasn’t great. In fact, it sucked. It was rainy and people were soaked and cold and covered in mud. But when it came down to it, they didn’t care.

It’s true. For the 2nd year in a row this point was proven: The fans of Boots & Hearts will stand in the rain and sing along with every word that they know when a great country act takes the stage and puts on a helluva show.

Last year for me it was Alabama, country’s original super group, they were freaking outstanding.

This year we had Cassadee Pope, Colt Ford, Dean Brody and Mr. Jason Aldean play parts of or all of their sets in rainy conditions in Bowmanville. And while we all wished that the sun had been shining (and our sunscreen hadn’t been applied in vain) there wasn’t a single person I saw that looked like they weren’t enjoying themselves.

While Trish and I are at Boots & Hearts with media passes to cover the shows and blog and tweet and facebook and such about what’s up – I will fully admit that last night I really enjoyed being a fan during both Dean Brody and Jason Aldean’s sets.

Trish met me in the bullpen after her photos were taken and we watched, listened, sang along, people watched, smiled, danced (a little) you know, all of those things that you do when you’re enjoying a concert. Yes we were wearing raincoats, but we didn’t care. Our feet we soaked and our hearts were warm. That might be the cheesiest thing I write for a long time, but the thought is true!

Note: I get that not everyone loves, likes or even tolerates country music. I get it. But if you’re a rock and roll fan and you look at a show like Jason Aldean and his band put on, you might change your mind.

Dean Brody was the surprise guest last year, rolling out from behind the stage on a flatbed trailer. But this year he was on the main stage for a full set that gave me 1 clear highlight: Brody finished playing the emotionally charged military tribute, Brothers and went right into Oh Canada which is always amazing in a crowd that size. And then, to finish his set he rolled the national anthem into his biggest hit, Canadian Girls which had everyone singing and dancing again until he left the stage.

When Jason Aldean came on stage to start his set you could hear the excitement across the festival grounds. And through the rain one of country’s biggest stars played loud, hard, fun music that everyone had been anticipating and waiting for. I’d never seen Aldean live, but man am I glad I have now. From Tattoos On This Town to Johnny Cash to the new single Night Train, the sound was tight, the energy was high and these guys put on a proper show.

The biggest tease came when the band started playing Don’t You Wanna Stay (Aldean’s hit duet with Kelly Clarkson) and she appeared on screens to the left and right of the stage to sing her part. Believe me when I say this – the place would have blown up if Kelly Clarkson had walked onto the stage last night. As it was, the place was at peak excitement throughout the Jason Aldean set and absolutely loved him til the end of his 2 song encore that wrapped his set with Hicktown.

It was a crazy day logistically at Boots & Hearts. But to everyone’s credit there was still a party going on for those of us lucky enough to be inside the gates.

I can’t wait to see what memories today brings!

Work Hard, Play Harder, Be Awesome.