Then I heard about the post-American Music Awards surprise concert that these boys did--a stripped-down jam session with a bunch of celebrity pals ... on my BIRTHDAY, I might add ... and I was insanely jealous. I watched the videos and was so angry because this was the way I'd always wanted to see these guys live.
But, lo and behold, just a few weeks later, they announced that they, too, wanted to recreate this show ... and that they couldn't think of anywhere more appropriate to do so than Music City, USA. I knew I liked them for a reason--Merry Christmas, Ash ... thanks JoBros, you really shouldn't have!
The concert started out commonly enough--minus the fact that Tim McGraw and Faith Hill came out to introduce them, no big deal--with a few Jonas standards: "That's Just the Way We Roll", "Hold On", and "Gotta Find You". But after they got the tweenies worked into a screaming tizzy, they took a moment to talk about the evening, how different this show was going to be and how excited they were for their little make-up present to us in Nashville for staying away for about a year and half.
They then busted out a fantastic cover of John Mayer's "Gravity", and Nick rocked out on a glittery pink guitar, which I highly appreciated and so, apparently, did Joe.
Joe: "Hey Nick, I, uh, like your pink guitar."
Nick: "... thanks Joe. I like my pink guitar, too."
The boys proceeded to announce that one of the best parts about this show was having the opportunity to play around with and change up some of their songs, then busted out this awesome stripped- and slowed-down version of "Tonight".
The special guests started coming out of the shadows at this point. Michael W. Smith was first, followed by Martina McBride, with whom the brothers surprised me by performing her '90s hit "Independence Day", a longtime favorite of mine.
Joe developed a little crush on her, and Kevin assured him and the audience that she'd be back. They played their song "Goodnight and Goodbye", and this little display from Kevin:
had me hyperventilating a little. That guy and his guitar do unfair things to my heart.
Jordin Sparks came out and joined the boys for a rockin' cover of "Superstition", and then sang "No Air" with Joe ... Kevin and I were both a little disappointed that he didn't try and pull off some Chris Brown dance moves. (Joe WISHES!)
Amy Grant and Steven Curtis Chapman were the next guests, followed by an all-star jam cover of "The Weight" with Smith, Chapman, Vince Gill, and PHIL VASSAR (if you know anything about me and my history with Phil Vassar, that was a very surprising and exciting moment ... never would have guessed him as one of the "friends").
Vince Gill and Kevin Jonas jamming on guitar together ... such an exciting moment in my life. I can't even describe how I felt at that moment, but I was worried my heart was actually going to explode.
Probably a lot more exciting for Kevin ... just watching that boy GUSH about getting to play with their idols and some of the most talented musicians, and about how Nashville was just the perfect place to do it ... he is just so passionate and watching that unfold onstage, watching him play guitar so ardently, did nothing to curb how hopelessly in love with him I am ...
... which brings me to Brad Paisley. After being joined by their friends Honor Society and bringing back Martina (much to Joe's delight), to sing "When You Look Me in the Eyes":
the boys were joined by this country guitar slinger. I pegged Paisley as one of the special guests the day the concert was announced, but it was still fun to watch Kevin light up as he announced one of his very favorite artists joining them onstage, as well as this exchange:
Brad Paisley: "The uh, papers came through today, by the way, and I'm so proud to announce I've officially changed my name to Brad Jonas."
Joe: "Well, that's unfortunate, because we just changed--I just changed my name to Joe ... Paisley"
Brad: "Oh. I'll go through the process of gettin' it changed back."
Joe: "Okay, cool."
Kevin: "And I guess we'll just ... stay the same, Nick."
Watching Kevin play guitar with his idol and sing two of his favorite songs ever--"Waitin' on a Woman" and "Easy Money" (during which Kevin sang, SOLO, an entire verse!!! For those non-Jonas fans out there reading ... that's a big deal) was so ... so ... emotional for me. I was so excited for him ... and just for me, it was such a cool moment to be a part of.
JONAS BROTHERS. Singing COUNTRY. At the RYMAN. Could there have BEEN a more perfect evening for me? It honestly was kind of creepy ... like, JoBros, have you been reading my diary?
They followed Brad with an amazing cover of Tom Petty's "Free Fallin'" ... or, at least, what I could hear over the piercing screams at Joe's mischievous grin and proclamation of "I'm a baaaaad boy", was amazing, anyway.
I love how they scream the first time he says it, he looks at Nick as if to say, "Yeah, look what I can do", and then milks it for all it's worth the second time. The boy is too cute. Their band then jammed out on Bob Marley's "Waiting in Vain", Joe attempted a country version of "S.O.S." (the way it was originally going to be written, he claims) before launching into the regular version and following with "Burnin' Up" to lead into the grand finale all-star "American Pie" sing-along. Awesome ending note, boys.
All in all, I think the evening did wonders to showcase these guys for what what they really are (and what I've been trying to point out for months now): talented musicians and songwriters--so much more than a boy band or the joke everyone seems to see them as. Even if the teenagers in the crowd couldn't appreciate the amazing music and musical connections that happened last night because they were blinded by Joe taking off his jacket and scarf (which is also exciting, girls, I know ...), I was there boys. I heard, I was overwhelmed, I fell even more in love, my respect runs deeper, and I could not be happier I was a part of it. So thank you.
Hold On
Gotta Find You
Gravity
Tonight
My Place in This World (w/Michael W. Smith)
Year 3000
Independence Day (w/Martina McBride)
Goodnight and Goodbye
Superstition (w/Jordin Sparks)
No Air (w/Jordin Sparks)
Cinderella (w/Steven Curtis Chapman)
The Weight (w/Chapman, Smith, Phil Vassar, Vince Gill)
Lovebug
A Little Bit Longer
Don't Close the Book (w/Honor Society)
When You Look Me in the Eyes (w/Martina McBride)
Waitin' on a Woman (w/Brad Paisley)
Easy Money (w/Brad Paisley)
Free Fallin'
Waiting in Vain
S.O.S.
Burnin' Up (w/Big Rob)
American Pie (w/everybody)
2 comments:
ugh. SO JEALOUS.
but i'm super glad you had fun!
and i'm pretty much loving you right now for the honor society video that's currently coming my way.
you're awesome, ash! :]
I've only been to one concert in my entire life, so I am absolutely no judge at all about the quality of such things. Having said that, this looks like a good concert to me. I am really glad to see an up and coming band like this inviting quality people to share the stage. Variety is what makes a good concert, and there was definitely variety there. Makes me wish that I had gone, too. ;-)
Post a Comment