Morgan Wallen & The Dream Concerts You’ve Never Been To
Garth Brooks' Neyland Stadium concert in 2019. Credit: WBIR 10 News.
By Cody McClure
Morgan Wallen is playing two nights at Neyland Stadium next week. The country superstar comes to Knoxville for two highly-anticipated shows on Friday, September 20th and Sunday, September 22nd.
It should be quite the drunken weekend for many of our locals. Sandwiched between the Wallen concerts of course is Tennessee’s biggest football test of the year (so far) at Oklahoma.
I don’t know a lot about Morgan Wallen. I don’t hate him. I don’t like him. Not really my thing, but I kinda like the Tennessee football songs — something about Alabama lost big this time etc. etc. — and then the one about the sand in the boots.
Basically I just like the ones that mention Knoxville. Relatable.
Yet, WHISKEY WHISKEY contains some of the worst sounds to ever penetrate my ears. And ole Morgan has been known to be a bit of a rascal.
Still, I got no problem with the guy. Like him or not, two stadium shows is a big deal. It got me to thinking about stadium shows and the biggest and coolest concerts I’ve been to.
If you know me, you know I love the Stones. I’ve seen them seven times in seven different cities — Columbus, Los Angeles, Nashville, Atlanta, Houston, Las Vegas, and Chicago.
Some of those venues — such as the Rose Bowl and Soldier Field — were pretty cool. Then there was the Horseshoe. JK it was fine. But the Stones shows are my all-time favorites.
I like the old rockers. I was also fortunate to see the Eagles (before Glenn Frey died), Fleetwood Mac (once with Christine McVie and once without her), as well as AC/DC, Eric Clapton, and Elton John.
[Check out Stevie Nicks screaming at Lindsey Buckingham in the video above. That was personal.]
Other music acts I’ve seen over the years — Guns N’ Roses, Willie Nelson, ZZ Top, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban (tremendous guitar player), Garth Brooks, Rod Stewart, the Black Crowes, Little Big Town (surprisingly good), Hank Williams Jr., Lukas Nelson, Eric Church, Kenny Chesney, Jamey Johnson, Kid Rock, Lucero, Kaleo, Gary Clark Jr., Kacey Musgraves, Shooter Jennings, Rick Springfield (I worked security), Lonestar, Tedeschi Trucks, Zac Brown, Ghost Hounds, .38 Special, Pretty Reckless, Lainey Wilson, Steve Earle, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Joe Walsh solo, Marshall Tucker Band, Journey, Smashing Pumpkins, Matchbox Twenty…
I’m trying to remember every act I’ve ever seen but I feel like I’ve forgotten a lot.
There are a few regrets over the years, as I’m sure you’ve all got when it comes to concerts. I skipped out once on a Bob Seger concert where I had a free ticket, which I regret. I missed Tom Petty before he died, and I let The Who get too old. Seems like the Aerosmith ship has sailed too. Kanye… I would’ve loved to see Kanye but he’s gone full crazy now.
I also regret going to Alan Jackson in Evansville, Indiana, as that is the most boring show I ever did see.
But what I’m thinking about, and what I’m posing to you all as a question is — what acts do you dream of seeing that you still haven’t seen? Who’s on your living bucket list?
I’m talking about touring acts that you still have a chance to see, not those who have died. The ones who are still somewhat active, or will be soon. Who’s on your list?
My top five:
1. Billy Joel - the Piano Man gets the nod over Springsteen because he has a deeper catalog of songs that I like, personally. I dream of seeing this guy do “New York State of Mind” in New York City. “Scenes From An Italian Restaurant.” “Vienna.” “Only the Good Die Young.” It would be epic.
2. Bruce Springsteen - another east coast/New York/Jersey guy. I would like to see him up there somewhere, perhaps the Garden, as that seems most fitting. I’ve heard it’s one of the best live shows you can ever see. And I am a big fan of Steven Van Zandt AKA Silvio Dante.
3. Red Hot Chili Peppers - the greatest LA band of all time? That would be saying a lot given the existence of The Doors, Motley Crue, Beach Boys, GNR, Van Halen, etc. etc. But I love the Chili Peppers, and they’ve got a case. That low-laying, yet vicious guitar sound of John Frusciante always soothes me.
4. Foo Fighters - Dave Grohl is in the news this week for cheating on his wife and having a baby out of wedlock. And Taylor Hawkins is dead. RIP. Still, this one has been on my list for a long time. My sister loves this band. Maybe “the last rock band.”
5. Taylor Swift - I just gotta see what all the fuss is about.
Please let me know in the comments who you most want to see.