Weekend Reflections on McCready, McCreery, and More

This weekend, I had a chance to renew some old acquaintances and make some new ones.

There were two terrific shows in Atlantic City this past weekend: Little Big Town with Kacey Musgraves at Harrah's on Friday and Scotty McCreery and Sarah Darling at the Golden Nugget on Saturday.

Both shows features energetic performers, great music, and sold-out showrooms.

It was great to see Little Big Town Friday night. It's been several years - and some great success for them -since I last spent anytime with them. It was back in about 2001 that the band first stopped by on their radio tour, and probably in 2002, when they played one of our Cat Country Backyard BBQs - on Robert Best Road in Egg Harbor Township. The four members were as friendly as ever - and, boy, did they put on a great show.

Opening for LBT was new sensation Kacey Musgraves. The young singer is very talented, and is on a catapult to stardom.

Saturday night, Sarah Darling opened for Scotty McCreery. Just as her name implies, she is a darling! Very upbeat and cheerful, with a very strong voice.

Prior to Saturday Night's show, my wife and I had the pleasure of having dinner with Scotty McCreery at one of the restaurants at the Golden Nugget. Scotty is 19-years-old. I have a 21-year-old in college, and an 17-year-old in high school, so I kind of expected him to be texting on his cell phone a lot, and only  half paying attention to any table conversation. (I'm kidding!). Actually, Scotty was very cordial and polite. A kid with a good head on his shoulders. We even met his  parents, who are  travelling with him on tour.

A few fans recognized Scotty, and he was very willing to engage them and pose for photos. His show was fantastic, and full of energy.

Unfortunately, the weekend was not all good. Sadness was felt early this morning with word of the passing of Mindy McCready. Her demons got the best of her and she took her own life at the age of 37.

McCready, when she first hit the music scene in the mid-1990's, was a fireball, rising toward the top of the charts with a few hits. Unfortunately, her music career and her personal life both spiraled out of control. Our thoughts are with those she left behind.