Chicken-Fried Memories

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It’s funny how it’s the little things in life that mean the most
Not where you live, what you drive or the price tag on your clothes
There’s no dollar sign on a peace of mind, this I’ve come to know
So if you agree, have a drink with me,
Raise you glasses for a toast

From the Zac Brown Band’s hit, Chicken Fried

It was after midnight and my son kept repeating the same stories. It has been the best night of his life and the boy couldn’t sleep.

I smiled as I listened to him relive our day’s adventures. We had seen the ducks at the Peabody and watched the Mississippi State football team come through the lobby. We then filled our bellies with Rendezvous BBQ and heard the Zac Brown Band kill it at the FedEx Forum. It was an amazing concert. And for the record, every member of the Zac Brown Band are not only master musicians, they’re talented entertainers.

It was my son’s first concert. He’ll have a tough time seeing one any better.

At the end of the show, Zac Brown announced four of the band members would be signing merchandise (or whatever).  One was Clay Cook, the extremely talented singer/songwriter/musician who’s also one of my son’s guitar heroes.  We rushed down to the line to meet Clay — and John Driscoll Hopkins, Coy Bowles and the newest member, Daniel de los Reyes.  I told Clay how much I admired his talent and how I had used one of his songs to open my old radio show (Music School Dropout). I mentioned to John Driscoll Hopkins that I knew one of his old college buddies and he broke out in a huge grin. For the record, Hopkins is an amazingly cool guy.  All four signed his poster and were very kind to my son. As a dad, that earned my respect. Big time.

As we walked back to the hotel, my son clutched his signed poster and continued to relive the night. It was at that moment that I realized we had seen more than just a concert: We had spent a great day together and had made memories that’ll last both of us a lifetime.

It’s funny how it’s the little things in life that mean the most.

 

 

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One Response to Chicken-Fried Memories

  1. Kristen says:

    Sounds like the Best Day Ever! They are also my absolute favorites, mostly because of all the reasons you listed above. Great guys & amazing artists…every single one in his own right. I live down on the coast—regretting not making the drive, heard it was an amazing show, as ALWAYS!

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