SAMMY KERSHAW - Shooting Star Event Center, Mahnomen, MN

Country Star Sammy Kershaw performed at the Shooting Star Casino, as part of a series of holiday concerts, in the midwest. At the beginning of the show, Sam's Tour Manager, Greg was very accommodating. He gave me access to the meet and greet and was just an awesome guy to work with! I wish all tour managers were like him!  Anyway- this shoot was fairly simple, although I was surprised to learn that I would only be allowed to shoot the first 2 songs, apparently Sam sweats a little, and they wanted to make sure he appeared his best in my shots.  Since there is no pit I had to kneel down for the majority of the shoot.  There were a few times where I did stand up, but that was minimal at best.  I understand that people pay good money to see these shows, and Sammy, and I do respect that, and I don't think my slight intrusion at the beginning of the show interfered too much with their enjoyment. ISO was at 1600 with shutter speeds around 300-400 as this was well lit from the stage lights and spot on Sam, however there were times I dropped down to a shutter of 100 as well.

BRET MICHAELS- 'Roses and Thorns' Tour- Grand Casino Mille lacs, Onamia, MN
 

This show proved to be a real challenge.  The event center is not set up for any photographers so I had to stand in front of the right side of the stage with other fans.  Not that this is a bad thing, I enjoy talking to people, but there are always people that can't handle their alcohol or get a little rowdy sometimes. In the beginning of the show the front of the stage was clear and there were security guards blocking it.  However when the show started, a tidal wave of hyped up, crazy, shouting fans seemed to roll right over them, and they never made it back.

This became problematic to me in the aspect I could not gain access to the front of the stage.  Most of my shots were taken from the right side of the stage, and I just happened to be right next to a woman that was a little into the show, and she constantly was bumping people with her drink, and other extensions on her as well couldn't seem to control themselves. It was quite disrupting as it was challenging to steady my camera for a shot.  Other than her, and other people beside me, I shot the entire show with my 80-200 at an ISO of 1600 and shutter speed of 130.  I was allowed to shoot the first 3 songs of the show.  It helped tremendously when Bret walked over to the right side of the stage and came to the end of it, at which point peoples hands were instantly glued towards the stage in hopes with shaking hands or touching the rocker.  If you looked directly below Bret, on the stage there was glow in the dark tape and the end of the walk way. This was probably there so Bret didn't fall off and become another rock star to take the tumble!

 

BROOKS & DUNN- 'Last Rodeo' Tour-  First Midwest Bank Amphitheater,Tinley Park, IL


When it comes to being part of something like legendary country duo Brooks & Dunn, distance didn't seem to bother me, traveling about eleven hours to see these guys perform on their last tour ever.  I know these performances are set up many months in advance, and sometimes years, but the day could not have brought a more sweltering heat and humidity to the field in which the First Midwest Bank Amphitheater was built. l'm sure everyone in the long line waiting for the gate to open,which extended all away back to the road, would have much rather been at the beach that day.

With no rain in sight, the only thing I really had to worry about that day was, passing out from heat stroke, and keeping dust out of my camera. Gary Allen opened the show, and the stage extended into the audience which can present some really great perspectives for shooting, if photographers are allowed to shoot around it in the pit.  In this case we were not, there were two other shooters beside myself.  We were only allowed to shoot the first 2 songs for Gary Allen and Brooks and Dunn.  Luckily Gary made use of the extended platform and I was able to get some great shots of his back to the audience.  At one point a woman in front tried to grab Allen, to which security in the pit, pushed her back.  The lighting for Gary's performance was rather simple, with a single spot to light him, and band members by the stage lighting.

I was a little disappointed with the Brooks and Dunn portion of the show as I and other photographers were told we had the first 3 songs, but then it changed to just two.  For a majority of the songs Ronnie Dunn performed on the platform to the audience while Kix Brooks performed from the stage.  Photographers were allowed to shoot from the left side of the stage, we did not have access around the platform in the pit, which didn't make sense as there was room in the pit.  In either case, that definitely proved to affect the outcome of this shoot.  For the first song I used my 14-24 since Kix and Ronnie were a few feet away, which resulted in my best images for this shoot. The last song I used my 80-200 which it would have been nice if Ronnie would have turned around or looked at us shooting.  I was able to get  a few nice shots of Kix, but that was it. Overall I wish I would have used the 80-200 first if I knew Ronnie was going to stay the entire time out on the end of the platform on the second song! ISO's were at 1600 and shutter speeds varied around 120-250.

HANSON 'Shout' Tour-Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley, MN


I have always enjoyed shooting photos outside in the 'elements'.  For Hanson, it happened to be a very rainy day, and as they say, the show must go on! It was interesting to look around and see everyone and everything covered in plastic!  The danger of performing outside in a rain storm, is lightning of course, which threatened to cancel this show throughout the day. Hanson's opener 'Rooney' opted out at the last minute, due to the lightning danger. This in turn would push back the show, or make Hanson take the stage quicker than they had planned, otherwise fans would be waiting a while out in the stands for this show to start.  I was relieved to find out after talking to promoters that Hanson would indeed take the stage an hour and a half sooner, which was about 20 mins from when I found out. I had my camera and other equipment wrapped in plastic for this shoot, just in case the rain chose to present itself throughout the evening. (which it did)

At one point Hanson was walking onto the stage, and turned around as it started to pouring, as roadies scrambled the stage, to cover up the gear, and it did so for about 20 minutes. Hanson returned to the stage, and Zac slipped on a puddle of water on the platform while making his way over to the keyboard, he recovered quickly, so I don't think too many people noticed. Roadies then squeegeed the stage, and Hanson was allowed to return.   I was allowed to be right in front of the stage as long as I ducked down for the first 3 songs only. Being so close to Hanson I was able to get some great wide angled shots, so my 14-24 came in use well, for more up close and personal shots I took out my 80-200. ISO was right around 1600 with shutter speed at 100-130, as the stage wasn't well lit, there was no spotlight at this show.

More coming soon...

 BLAKE SHELTON 'All About Tonight' Tour-Sanford Center, Bemidji, MN

Blake Shelton was the first ever country artist to play at the new Sanford Center in Bemidji, MN. Opening for Shelton were Steel Magnolia and Easton Corbin. This shoot was interesting to say the least, The stage was about a 100ft from where I was allowed to shoot. There were two platforms that extended into the audience on the right and left of the stage.  I was allowed to shoot on the right side but was not permitted to shoot on the left side.  The first act Steel Magnolia made use of the platforms well, so I was able to get some nice shots with my 80-200, which is the only lense I used due to the set up. Anything smaller just would not have been able to cover the job.  The lighting for this show was fairly easy to follow, so learning the patterns didn't take long, most shutter speeds were in the 100-200 range. I was allowed to shoot songs 2&3 of all acts, which was a first for me! During each act I was escorted in to the venue to shoot, and escorted out until the next act, and so on.