Day 3... Haygoods show review

Ok, so where did I leave off? Oh yeah, I was sitting in Music City Centre, 5th row, aisle. I could hear the instruments being tuned backstage and you can bet I was bouncing in my seat. Finally, the introduction starts. Mykiah looks at me, I look at Mykiah. It’s gonna happen. The Haygoods Christmas show.

The curtains open and there they are. They started out the show with “Callin’ Baton Rouge” which has long been one of my favorite songs. When Garth Brooks first released his version in 1993, I loved this song. I still put it on all my mix CDs and use it as work-out music. This summer, it was the opening song of the 2nd half of the show, and I'd been worried that I wouldn't get to hear it tonight.  There is nothing better than hearing one of your favorite songs sung by one of your favorite groups.

Lord Almighty, my temperature was rising.

Oh wait, that's the second song they sang.  Mykiah and I know this one, too. Cuz we have the DVD memorized.

This is Tim, the oldest Haygood. I think we should all take a moment to thank Tim's mom for letting him watch Sesame Street as a child. Seriously, that's how the whole thing started. This has to be one of my favorite pictures I've ever taken at a Branson show. You'd never tell I was sitting in the 5th row on the other side of the stage. It's just a perfect moment, captured by my camera.

And having the DVD memorized, I noticed a few little things. Like Shawn singing lead vocals on a few more songs, which suited me just fine. An a cappella selection that was different from this summer's "Seven Bridges Road." Think it was "Wayfaring Stranger". I'm not exactly up on my Christian music, but it was a nice song. Personally, I love to hear singing without any instrumental backup, just pure voices. Not sure I'd mind if they did the whole show a cappella. Love the Orange Blossom Special Haygood style, and thought this performance was better than this summer's. Then again, the theater was sold out, so maybe the energy in the theater added to the experience.

When the show started, Dominic had said that the first half would be the best of the summer show, and I think it was fairly true to that claim. I would have been very, very sad if they had skipped the whole tap dancing segment, but it was close to the end of the first half, so I didn't have to incite a riot or anything. I do so love me some dancing men. Where were the boys when I was taking tap lessons? It was just me and my best friend, out there dancing to "Mr. Tap Toes." And now I learn that there are boys that tap dance. I might have kept up with the lessons if I'd known that.

Meet Shawn. Shawn is in the middle of the Haygoods, 3 brothers older than him, 3 brothers and a sister younger than him. I imagine that would be a pretty hard place to be. He has a really unique voice that I enjoy. And he can dance. Really dance. And maybe he has some muscles. I like those too.

Intermission came and I was the first one back to the souvenir area to put my name down for a DVD, and while I was there, heck, I picked up some CDs, too. A girl can never have too much Haygoods in her life. [Author's note: I about had a heart attack on Sunday when I got home and slipped the DVD into the player in my bedroom. It sounded awful. Really irritated me. I was trying to decide if I was irritated enough to do something about it when I had the thought to try it in our main DVD player, which is hooked up to our stereo system. Crystal clear on the stereo. Except that now the DVD is freezing about every 2 minutes. So I emailed the Haygoods to see if I could get a replacement, because I decided I am irritated enough to do something about it. I think a replacement is the least they could do. I'm giving them all kinds of free publicity, aren't I? And I could get pretty darn cranky if my morning Haygoods DVD time is spoiled by the DVD freezing right in the middle of a song. You probably wouldn't want to read this blog if I start getting cranky.]

During the first half of the show, I had noticed that there was a "screamer" sitting next to my mom. You see, I'm not the only one who gets a little excited about the Haygoods. I am, however, 36 years old, and screaming like a girl when they walk out on stage is just something I find unnecessary. Well, not the teenager next to Grammy. I did ask her if she wanted to switch with one of my girls because I doubt my girls would have even noticed the screaming, but she chose to stay in her seat. I think she may have regretted that by the end of the show. I just don't get the screaming. But I don't think it can be avoided at this show.

Waited through intermission to have the Haygoods come back and do the Christmas portion of the show. In the words of Randy Jackson, the Christmas portion was just "aw-ight" for me. Or at least, I wasn't feeling what they were putting out until Dominic came out and sang "Mary Did You Know." That song was probably one of the single best performances I have seen in person. Goosebumps on the skin, feel it in my bones, change my life kind of singing. Standing ovation kind of singing, except I was so riveted, I forgot to stand up.

This would be Dom, during his song. Dom narrates the show and is just a bundle of energy. He can sing (boy can he), and makes playing the fiddle look hot. Didn't think that was possible until I watched him.

[Yet another author's note: I wrote this on Saturday evening and honestly, I couldn't remember much about the Christmas show. After watching the DVD -- freezes and all, however, I've decided that Dominic's performance must have been so darn good that it completely wiped out my memory of the rest of that half of the show. Because it really had some other bright spots. "White Christmas" has never been one of my favorite Christmas songs, but Shawn managed to make it more contemporary and had me enjoying it. I enjoyed little Aaron's song and Catherine did a great job on "The Little Drummer Boy." Michael and Dominic did a wonderful job with "Do You Hear What I Hear." So maybe I didn't give the Christmas show its due. It was a very entertaining show, with one shining moment. In a wierd coincidence "Mary Did You Know" is the one song on the DVD that does not freeze. Which is why I didn't catch the freezing earlier... I was fast forwarding just to hear that song. I really feel like it was worth the 5 hour trip to Branson just to hear that one song. So just to be clear -- if you're looking for a Christmas show in Branson, I'd recommend this one. It's definitely in my top two.]

OK, last picture. This is Michael, who is only 20. Or maybe 21. Just a baby. But he sings like an angel. I think he is the reason I've become a Haygoods stalker. When I first started watching the DVD every day, it was so I could hear him sing "Leaving On a Jet Plane" and "When You Say Nothing At All." I could go on and on about his voice, but it all comes down to the fact that he sings like an angel. Oh, and he's the one that did a ponytail during the July show and made my heart go pitty-pat. So I definitely think he's the one who turned me into a stalker. Blame him if you've been bored reading my blog for the last week. He's singing "Do You Hear What I Hear?" in this picture. It was very, very good.

All too soon, the show was over. Chesney had been so impressed by the 2nd half of the show that she slept through the entire thing. She did that this summer, too. Just fell right asleep as soon as the second half started. Seats must be too comfortable. We decided to sit and let the crowds clear out while she slept, because she is a bear to wake up. Then we waited for my DVD. While we were waiting, my mom went into the theater to buy a Christmas CD. Tim signed it. Tim's is the only autograph we don't have. And now my mom has it. How wrong is that? I may have to switch out her CD case with my CD case when she's not looking.

I get my DVD from Mr. Haygood, and we walk through the lobby area . Now if you've been following along, you know that I really wanted to get my picture taken with a Haygood before the night was over. And there are all the Haygoods, standing in the lobby, signing autographs, taking pictures. Short line.

And the girls walked right past them. My one opportunity to get a picture, and my girls are tired and cranky and just want to go to bed.

So I walked out with them.

I've always been a mom who tried to prioritize things in my life, with my children being at the top of the list. Sometimes, I reminded myself, you just have to put being a mom before your own, personal desires.

[p.s. Come on people. I know you're reading. Show me some love. Tell me I did the right thing. Post a comment or two. I feel like I'm talking to myself. Which I do far too often anyway.]

Comments

[Dianne]

You are so funny. I love reading your stalking blogs. Makes me want to go to Branson. Someday. Hehe. Hey Kaitlin did that once too! Took her to see RI-VER-Dance which at the time was her all time favorite thing and she slept through the FINALE!!!! Sigh. Kids are funny. She loved it though.

[Brittany]

Hey Miss Kim,
I'm a OBSeSSED Haygood fan, totally love them, and you did the right thing...you love you're girls...and just to let you know...on the Haygood Message Board...I'm AaronLover33..Britty..so talk to me on their...just wondering...could I have a pic or 2...i really like the one of Dominic on here...it's kinda in the middle...anyway...you did the right thing...

Bye
Britty

[Meg]

Hey! I'm lessthanperfect89.....LOVED THE REVIEW!So glad u had such a good time! there are other older members on the oard.We have 1 that is a g-ma!U r in good company...lol!

[Dale]

Meg, I suppose I'm the Grandmother you were referring to. My only grandchild will be 3 in February. Miss Kim....I've been a fan since I first saw the Haygoods at Silver Dollar City.....Aaron was just barely old enough to hold his little fiddle. It's been an amazing journey watching them grow and mature into such great entertainers. I live in Springfield and have a Season Pass every year and try to see them as often as possible. Maybe I'll see you at a show someday!
Dale
http://members17.clubphoto.com/md720897