Country Music Issues and Rants!
Is country music sending the wrong message?
During the recent Kenny Chesney concert at Gillette Stadium, there were 76 people arrested and 3 young girls killed. All of the arrests took place in the parking lot among drunk and disorderly tailgaters – many of whom didn’t even have tickets to the concert – like the 3 girls who were killed in the car crash (there for the party not the music).
While Chesney doen’t control the parking lots – he certainly does encourage the party. The gates opened at 10:30 a.m. (despite radio announcements that they wouldn’t open until 1) and the lots were soon filled with vans, SUVs, trucks and trailers filled with barbecues, tables, tents (even personal bathrooms) and lots of food and drink – mostly alcohol. While I saw cops along the highway at liquor stores confiscating beer cases – that was like holding your hand up to a raging flood. With concert goers having nearly 5 hours to drink before the first act – most were too drunk to stand up and walk the 1/2 mile from the parking area to the stadium.
Once inside the concert, some fell asleep despite the music (blocking aisles), feel over you as they tried to get to their seats, continued drinking and getting sick everywhere. Really pleasant huh? Makes you wonder why you spent over $100 on the tickets, $40 to park and a tank of gas while stuck in traffic to the stadium for 3 hours (for a total of 11 miles). Yes, Kenny is great and the lineup with Keith Urban, LeAnn Rimes and Gary Allen was super – but, especially from the field seats, you can’t see him (once everyone stands you’re left watching the screens)and you end up soggy from someone elses beer.
If you stay to the end, you return to the parking lot for another round (or five depending on how far back you’re parked) and still can wait in traffic for hours. Doesn’t make for safe driving!
Maybe its time to stop the frat party mentality and go back to it being about the music!
Northcountrymusic would love to know what you think
Add comment August 16th, 2008
