LORETTA LYNN- Shooting Star Event Center, Mahnomen, MN

What an absolute honor it was to photograph country music legend, Loretta Lynn. She certainly has more energy than anyone I know that is her age! This shoot was one of the more relaxed shows that I have been to in awhile, don't get me wrong, hyper fans jumping around make for great shots, but its nice to get a break from that sometimes, and Loretta's show was a breath of fresh air.  Once again, the event center does not have a photo pit, so I knelt down for most of this shoot.  I was allowed to shoot the first 2 songs, opening for Loretta were her twin daughters, Peggy and Patsy.  I shot a majority of this show, with my 80-200 at an ISO of 1600 shutter speeds were right around 100-120, due to limited lighting, one spot on Loretta and the Lynns.

 

 

 

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.