Tim McGraw Benefit for Canandaigua New York YMCA
Peter H. Scrooby
July 17, 2009
Canandaigua, NY - Tim McGraw and The Lost Trailers performed tonight with portions of the proceeds to benefit the Canandaigua YMCA.
The $7 million YMCA renovation is almost complete and has raised most of the funds through local businesses and other local supporters. Roughly ten percent or about $750,000 was needed to complete the job.
Constellation Brands Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center in Canandaigua, NY also known as CMAC, was the scene of this night´s show that appeared to have went off flawlessly and looked to be a great success for all those who organized and promoted this event.
Great weather and a topnotch venue brought the people out in droves. Tim McGraw and The Lost Trailers played to this packed venue of fans, that where more than happy to be blessed by such talent that shined on this night.
I had the pleasure of being accompanied by my mother on this evening. "Tim McGraw", she said out loud "you are taking me", clamping the door shut on any other opportunity for me to even think about taking anyone but her, after I told her I would be covering this concert.
A short drive from Rochester, NY with ease of the NYS thruway we made our way to the venue. After arriving we parked at the VIP parking lot and accessed the event through the VIP ticket booth on the back side of the venue. We where early in order to avoid that last minute concert rush that people sometimes get caught in on a Thursday night as they make there way from work and such in a bid to enjoy great entertainers like those whom showed for tonight´s concert.
At the back gate I was informed by a humorous and jovial security guard that I would have to wait till at least 5:30 to gain access. I talked to him for a bit or should say listened, as he did the majority of the talking. A man that had already put in an 18 hour day, managed to win over not only me, but the other fans as the summer heat was crowding us strong.
Moments before, he had his tent "that had provided shade for him" carted off for bigger and better purposes by another staffer. After all of this, the wandering fans that tried to breach the perimeter and countless cars that needed to be turned around this man stood as just one example of kindness breeding kindness at this venue. For as rare as that is these days, kudos to him and his fellow staffers for being shining stars in the background that made this event all that more enjoyable.
The chatter outside in the line grew with topics of "who was the better live band - Kiss or Pink Floyd" to small talk about everyday life as the clock ticked down to 5:30 p.m.
Notice is issued by security that there will be a "bag inspection" for those that carried them and intended to enter with them. A quick efficient pat-down, away we go, over the VIP Bridge and through the woods it was Tim McGraw´s house we were heading to this evening.
After entering the venue with the display of our tickets, there is another great thing that I noticed and thought separated this venue from others, in a good way. A table to the left with staffers checking ID and placing a wrist band upon the arms of those that would like to sample some of the fine adult beverages offered on this evening. Obviously a way to curb and control underage drinking and also prescreen these adults and save the vendors a lot of hassle when the time of purchase comes there way, vastly speeding up the lines and flow of things.
After obtaining one of these nifty little bracelets, I was enjoying the benefits of it.
A little bit of walking about and a quick stop at the VIP tent as well as a T-shirt vendor, we made our way back to our seats and settled in for what would be truly one of the greater performances I have seen in a long while.
The Lost Trailers took the stage at approximately 7:30. A band from Atlanta that was conceived between high school friends that made there bones touring around various parts of the country. After a demo was offered to the legendary writer and performer Willie Nelson during a radio interview this band has done nothing more than gain in popularity. One of there most popular songs "Holler Back" gave them there first top 40, later going on to crack the top 10.
Tonight they play and sound great with all kinds of energy as well as talent. They kick out there original jams as well as covers of bands like Alabama, John Mellencamp and even Bruce Springsteen´s "Glory days" knocking it out with a great version of Bon Jovi´s "Wanted Dead or a Live" as well as there hit "Holler Back" off there 5th studio album of the same name.
A band whose name is rumored to have been gained after on 3 different occasions the bands equipment trailer was stolen, hence the name "The Lost Trailers". This band was anything but lost tonight. After a great opening show for Tim McGraw, I believe they have found themselves a growing amount of fans at this show.
A Brief intermission is followed by a monstrous roar as the man himself takes the stage. Fans of all ages and backgrounds made the journey to see this guy tonight, Tim McGraw. The country star and husband to Faith Hill was here to bang out some of his classic songs as well as new one´s that he wanted to share with the crowd. This multiple award winning country star sometimes actor, was here to play.
Never to let anyone down and probably one of the greatest live performers in today´s live music scene, McGraw showed what separates him and why he draws the respect and legions of fans that he does. As the music plays I walk around and can barley find a soul whose attention is not on the stage. This evening ends with an encore that drew McGraw back to the stage with hoots and screams. The band finishes and the crowd is ecstatic. McGraw makes his way off the stage and some of his band mates stay behind to throw out a drum stick and some guitar picks along with signing of some autographs for the hoards of fans that gather at the stages edge.
We exit the venue and are off to the car. As I make my way along with my mother and other fans we stop momentarily to take a peak and see if we can see McGraw on or around the tour buses that are lined and ready to go as soon the traffic clears.
On the way to the car there is everyone´s friend, the same security guard that was greeting everyone at the VIP entrance before and is now helping to direct traffic out of this venue in an orderly fashion. I stop and say hello and once again thank him for being more than helpful in helping me in the beginning with tickets and other info that I had questions about. I am in the car and home in no time. Traffic seemed to flow well out of this venue as I had no problem at all upon leaving.
From parking to our seats, we where greeted with courteous and prompt service. More than helpful where security and the ushers, I felt very welcomed at this event. I would highly recommend to any to come out and enjoy some of the remaining shows that this venue has to offer. There are a couple of shows to choose from left in the season. The following events I am listing are taking from the CMAC calendar on there website.
7/19 Syracuse Symphony Orchestra 7:30pm Res: $15-$40; Lawn: $10
8/1 Jackson Browne w/Special Guest Steve Earle 8:00pm Res.$45, $55, $65
8/2 Jason Mraz w/Special Guest G. Love and Special Sauce 7:00pm Res. $45, $35 Lawn: $25
8/10 John Legend w/ Special Guests India.Arie and Vaughn Anthony 7:00pm Res.$50, $60, $70; Lawn: $25
8/11 Blondie , Pat Benatar w/Special Guest The Donnas 7:00pm Res $35, $50, $65; Lawn $25
8/22 The Allman Brothers Band and Widespread Panic 7:00pm Res. $49.50, $59.50, $69.50; Lawn: $29.50
9/6 Counting Crows with Special Guest Augustana 8:00pm Res.$65, $55, $45 Lawn: $25
Tickets are available @ the following sites
CMACevents.com,
Ticketmaster.com,
Charge by-phone at 1-800-745-3000
Also available Blue Cross Arena Box Office
The $7 million YMCA renovation is almost complete and has raised most of the funds through local businesses and other local supporters. Roughly ten percent or about $750,000 was needed to complete the job.
Constellation Brands Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center in Canandaigua, NY also known as CMAC, was the scene of this night´s show that appeared to have went off flawlessly and looked to be a great success for all those who organized and promoted this event.
Great weather and a topnotch venue brought the people out in droves. Tim McGraw and The Lost Trailers played to this packed venue of fans, that where more than happy to be blessed by such talent that shined on this night.
I had the pleasure of being accompanied by my mother on this evening. "Tim McGraw", she said out loud "you are taking me", clamping the door shut on any other opportunity for me to even think about taking anyone but her, after I told her I would be covering this concert.
A short drive from Rochester, NY with ease of the NYS thruway we made our way to the venue. After arriving we parked at the VIP parking lot and accessed the event through the VIP ticket booth on the back side of the venue. We where early in order to avoid that last minute concert rush that people sometimes get caught in on a Thursday night as they make there way from work and such in a bid to enjoy great entertainers like those whom showed for tonight´s concert.
At the back gate I was informed by a humorous and jovial security guard that I would have to wait till at least 5:30 to gain access. I talked to him for a bit or should say listened, as he did the majority of the talking. A man that had already put in an 18 hour day, managed to win over not only me, but the other fans as the summer heat was crowding us strong.
Moments before, he had his tent "that had provided shade for him" carted off for bigger and better purposes by another staffer. After all of this, the wandering fans that tried to breach the perimeter and countless cars that needed to be turned around this man stood as just one example of kindness breeding kindness at this venue. For as rare as that is these days, kudos to him and his fellow staffers for being shining stars in the background that made this event all that more enjoyable.
The chatter outside in the line grew with topics of "who was the better live band - Kiss or Pink Floyd" to small talk about everyday life as the clock ticked down to 5:30 p.m.
Notice is issued by security that there will be a "bag inspection" for those that carried them and intended to enter with them. A quick efficient pat-down, away we go, over the VIP Bridge and through the woods it was Tim McGraw´s house we were heading to this evening.
After entering the venue with the display of our tickets, there is another great thing that I noticed and thought separated this venue from others, in a good way. A table to the left with staffers checking ID and placing a wrist band upon the arms of those that would like to sample some of the fine adult beverages offered on this evening. Obviously a way to curb and control underage drinking and also prescreen these adults and save the vendors a lot of hassle when the time of purchase comes there way, vastly speeding up the lines and flow of things.
After obtaining one of these nifty little bracelets, I was enjoying the benefits of it.
A little bit of walking about and a quick stop at the VIP tent as well as a T-shirt vendor, we made our way back to our seats and settled in for what would be truly one of the greater performances I have seen in a long while.
The Lost Trailers took the stage at approximately 7:30. A band from Atlanta that was conceived between high school friends that made there bones touring around various parts of the country. After a demo was offered to the legendary writer and performer Willie Nelson during a radio interview this band has done nothing more than gain in popularity. One of there most popular songs "Holler Back" gave them there first top 40, later going on to crack the top 10.
Tonight they play and sound great with all kinds of energy as well as talent. They kick out there original jams as well as covers of bands like Alabama, John Mellencamp and even Bruce Springsteen´s "Glory days" knocking it out with a great version of Bon Jovi´s "Wanted Dead or a Live" as well as there hit "Holler Back" off there 5th studio album of the same name.
A band whose name is rumored to have been gained after on 3 different occasions the bands equipment trailer was stolen, hence the name "The Lost Trailers". This band was anything but lost tonight. After a great opening show for Tim McGraw, I believe they have found themselves a growing amount of fans at this show.
A Brief intermission is followed by a monstrous roar as the man himself takes the stage. Fans of all ages and backgrounds made the journey to see this guy tonight, Tim McGraw. The country star and husband to Faith Hill was here to bang out some of his classic songs as well as new one´s that he wanted to share with the crowd. This multiple award winning country star sometimes actor, was here to play.
Never to let anyone down and probably one of the greatest live performers in today´s live music scene, McGraw showed what separates him and why he draws the respect and legions of fans that he does. As the music plays I walk around and can barley find a soul whose attention is not on the stage. This evening ends with an encore that drew McGraw back to the stage with hoots and screams. The band finishes and the crowd is ecstatic. McGraw makes his way off the stage and some of his band mates stay behind to throw out a drum stick and some guitar picks along with signing of some autographs for the hoards of fans that gather at the stages edge.
We exit the venue and are off to the car. As I make my way along with my mother and other fans we stop momentarily to take a peak and see if we can see McGraw on or around the tour buses that are lined and ready to go as soon the traffic clears.
On the way to the car there is everyone´s friend, the same security guard that was greeting everyone at the VIP entrance before and is now helping to direct traffic out of this venue in an orderly fashion. I stop and say hello and once again thank him for being more than helpful in helping me in the beginning with tickets and other info that I had questions about. I am in the car and home in no time. Traffic seemed to flow well out of this venue as I had no problem at all upon leaving.
From parking to our seats, we where greeted with courteous and prompt service. More than helpful where security and the ushers, I felt very welcomed at this event. I would highly recommend to any to come out and enjoy some of the remaining shows that this venue has to offer. There are a couple of shows to choose from left in the season. The following events I am listing are taking from the CMAC calendar on there website.
7/19 Syracuse Symphony Orchestra 7:30pm Res: $15-$40; Lawn: $10
8/1 Jackson Browne w/Special Guest Steve Earle 8:00pm Res.$45, $55, $65
8/2 Jason Mraz w/Special Guest G. Love and Special Sauce 7:00pm Res. $45, $35 Lawn: $25
8/10 John Legend w/ Special Guests India.Arie and Vaughn Anthony 7:00pm Res.$50, $60, $70; Lawn: $25
8/11 Blondie , Pat Benatar w/Special Guest The Donnas 7:00pm Res $35, $50, $65; Lawn $25
8/22 The Allman Brothers Band and Widespread Panic 7:00pm Res. $49.50, $59.50, $69.50; Lawn: $29.50
9/6 Counting Crows with Special Guest Augustana 8:00pm Res.$65, $55, $45 Lawn: $25
Tickets are available @ the following sites
CMACevents.com,
Ticketmaster.com,
Charge by-phone at 1-800-745-3000
Also available Blue Cross Arena Box Office
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