I checked my iPod, and there they were, listed under the "R.M. Soundtrack" as having contributed the grassroots version of "I Hope They Call Me on a Mission".
A few weeks later, when Liz and I were trying to come up with something to do this weekend, the concert came up as an option. We decided to go for it, but I really didn't know what to expect. I looked up their website and Wikipedia page to learn more about them as the week moved on. As it turns out, their big claim to fame is their hit "Dream Big" which some may recognize from the advertisements for the NBC reality show, Three Wishes.
Liz and I got to the concert at 7:30 PM sharp. I knew that we could take our time, as it would be easy to shove our way to the front. To our dismay, it was a seated event. We were pretty far in the back, but we both had decent views. The local band, White Ivory (don't worry- they didn't seem racist), opened for Ryan Shupe. I wasn't expecting to like them- all local bands in Provo seem to sound the same- but I actually really did, and so did Liz. We've decided to keep a look out for any concerts they put on at Muse or Valore, downtown. Here's a sample:
I apologize for the shoddy quality... I think I need a new camera.
The song here is "I Don't Know Babe"
For more on White Ivory, checkout their Facebook page here.
After they finished, Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband entered and began their first song, "Hey, Hey, Hey". Halfway through this number, Liz and I both looked at each other with huge grins on our faces. The energy of this piece, the crowd, and the band let us know right away that we were going to enjoy ourselves.
Whether or not you particularly enjoy grassroots or country music, you would enjoy this concert. Ryan Shupe and the rest arr fantastic entertainers. In between each piece they would razz each other or tell some silly joke.
For example, a man proposed to his girlfriend at the concert. This exchange followed:
Ryan: This song is devoted to our... uh... our new...ly engaged couple? What's the plural of fiancée?
Craig: Fiancées?
Ryan: Fianci?
Craig: Also, what is another word for synonym?
Ryan: What other things do you wonder?
Craig: I used to wonder what "heck" was. Then I found out that it's where people go who don't believe in "gosh".
The drummer, Nate, obliged with a "bu-dump, chhhhh".
They totally knew how to work the crowd. A particularly fun moment was in the middle of the song written for Ryan's son, "2 year old attitude", Ryan and the lead guitarist Craig Miner commenced in a guitar/ mandolin battle. At first it was just impressive riffs, and then Ryan played the Cougar Fight Song, which Craig followed with the Mario theme, and Craig finished with the theme from "Top Gun". They then played their instruments incredibly fast behind their necks.
The crowd was going wild.
Ryan also invited some of the crowd who were familiar with their song "Oh How I Miss You" to come up and sing with the band:
Another great moment was when Ryan's 2 year-old song came up on stage with his little toy violin to play with the band. If anyone in the crowd had yet to fall in love with the band, they were helpless now. The little boy played as best he could, mimicking his dad's movements, and doing the cutest 2 year-old dance you've ever seen.
They began to conclude with Kermit the Frog's, "Rainbow Connection". As they played the introduction, members of the crowd cheered when they recognized it. Craig said, jokingly, "Yes, if you know the words to this song, feel free to keep it to yourself. This is our show."
After "Rainbow Connection", they finished with their hit, "Dream Big".
The band came up for an encore after leaving the stage the first time. They played one of the greatest covers of "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" I've ever heard. It's on YouTube, and Liz and I highly recommended it. Though it's ten minutes long, so you may want to fast forward to the 4 minute point, and you'll understand why we loved it.
It was a total blast and if you have the means you should definitely go see them. Tickets were only $7!
Check out their website for music and info.
Robin's Favorite Songs:
My Dandelion
If I Were a Bird
Keep Believing
Oh How I Miss You
Liz's Favorite Songs:
10,000 Lakes
Even Superman
If I Were a Bird
Dream Big
Check in next week to hear about BYU's production of Peter Pan!
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