#1919 Bluebird Cafe concert

Last night MT and I had the opportunity to go to the Bluebird Cafe concert series at Sundance. There were just four shows in the series and we were able to go to the first and last shows in the series. (Thanks Ric!) I got the tickets from a friend (boss) at work. He missed this show because he was in Nashville and went to the real Bluebird Cafe there.

The temperature in the Wasatch Mountains is much cooler than down in the valley. We were wearing long pants and pulled on our sweatshirts not long after arriving. Once again, we hiked up to the amphitheater from the parking lot. The walk seemed a lot longer the first time we did it, but it was still just as steep!

Last night's performers were Gordie Sampson, Seth Ennis and Caitlyn Smith. All three of them are successful songwriters that have had their songs recorded by noted country artists. They all have albums of their own. I enjoyed all of their music, but Caitlyn Smith completely blew us away. Her voice was pure magic last night. Power and gentleness...she was great. I'll be buying both her EP and album from iTunes soon. Coincidentally, Caitlyn Smith has written a song that I actually know: Like I'm Gonna Lose You recorded by Meghan Trainor and John Legend. Gordie Sampson wrote Jesus Take the Wheel (with a couple of other people) that was recorded by Carrie Underwood. I don't know much about country music, but I remember Carrie from American Idol.

The setting for the concert is so spectacular. It is an amphitheater. The stage is nestled at the bottom of the hill surrounded by extremely tall pine trees. There is bench seating in a semi-circle around the stage. The rest of the seating is up on the ski hill. Not all of the spots on the hill have a great view of the stage, but there's not actually much too see. The artists are seated with their guitars and they mostly stay seated to play and sing. The sound is incredible.

We brought a heavy blanket to sit on. I wish we had brought one to wrap up in too. We'll know that for next year! I loved sitting up on the hill, listening to the music and looking up at the stars. It was a clear night and the sky was full of stars. The big dipper was right in front of me over the stage. Breath-taking.

I love to listen to live music, and live music performed outdoors is my most favorite! MT and I have plans to buy tickets for the series for ourselves next year. We really enjoyed both shows we saw there this year and we want more of that feeling!

Here are a few photos from last night: