Last Ride at Highmark
Originally Published in The Niagara Gazette and Lockport Union Sun & Journal on Thursday June 19
Photos by Bill Wippert, courtesy the Buffalo Bills and EB Media
George Strait exited the stage as the final notes of "The Cowboy Rides Away" echoed through the venue. A good portion of the crowd had left before Strait's five encores at what was likely the final concert ever at the current Highmark Stadium. They were trying to beat the inevitable traffic snafu after a stadium concert. My wife and I didn't want to miss a note, so we stayed until the house lights came up.
As we walked up the flights of stairs to the exit, a guy behind us blurted out, "That was the best concert I have ever seen anywhere!" His girlfriend ran through a list of other concerts they had attended, and the young man didn't waver from the bold statement
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While Strait was the headliner, the openers, Parker McCollum and Chris Stapleton, didn't disappoint fans either. On an evening when the weather was perfect, the music was even better.
Parker McCollum hit the stage at 5:45 PM and performed to a group of enthusiastic fans who were shuffling in the venue, trying to find their seats. His 13-song set was seamless, with the highlights being "To Be Loved by You" and "Burn it Down." McCollum included four new songs, all of which drew a great response.
Next up was Chris Stapleton, whose 19-song set included a solid cross-section of his career. It was clear from the t-shirts and people dancing around and singing every word that Stapleton drew plenty of his own faithful fans.
The combination of Stapleton and Strait on the same bill was a stroke of genius. Their styles are unique enough to provide a contrast, but what they have in common is their ability to reproduce an incredible songbook with precision. Strait has been at it longer, but even with just a decade since his debut album, Stapleton already has plenty of songs for a complete set. He closed with a crowd-pleasing version of "Tennessee Whiskey."
While all of Strait's exes may live in Texas, his current fans are spread far and wide, including a significant number in Western New York. His quip about the abundance of cowboy hats in Buffalo was a testament to the universal appeal of his massive catalog. It was a moment that united us all through our shared love for his music.
I don't know who coined Strait as the "King of Country," but for a performer with nothing left to prove, he doesn't appear to be giving up his throne anytime soon.
In Strait's case, there is an expectation of quality and quantity, and he delivered on both fronts. The band was tight but not lifeless as they ran through 30 songs. It was like watching master surgeons perform a delicate operation. It was evident that Strait's band knew each other well, and they knew when to crank up the music and when to turn it down, allowing the songs to breathe.
The only dilemma Strait faces is how many hits he can perform in a single evening. It's doubtful that anyone left disappointed; I certainly didn't and was able to hear my favorites, "Give it Away" and "Amarillo By Morning."
What ultimately made it a great experience was the fans in attendance. There were plenty of people dancing, singing, and enjoying the soundtrack of their lives; it was a well-behaved group, clearly there for the music and not just for the "scene."
As a bonus, Strait and Stapleton shared the stage for three songs, "Cowboys Like Us," "You Don't Know What You're Missing" and "Honky Tonk Hall of Fame."
Even though I was caught up in the significance of Saturday's concert, likely being the last I would attend at the stadium, it was a fitting end to a special era. I spent it with some great musicians and great fans.
