My Review
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 Baltimore, MD
My daughter & I showed up for soundcheck early due to I was afraid I wouldn't find a parking space. I wondered if they were still having it because no one was there. We waited & people did show up. We got to go down to the front row for soundcheck. Vince was already at the guitar on stage when we were let in working on "Winter Wonderland" with the band. Amy had a wrap around sweater on & looked great. They worked on some songs like "Til the Season Comes Round Again", "Jingle Bells" (Amy wanted to work on the fast parts as she said she messed up the night before doing it), and "Welcome To Our World". Amy did come down after soundcheck to see us. She was so sweet as she started to come down but remembered that she needed to get some tickets held for someone & said to give her a few minutes & she'd be back
Amy was true to her word & came back after about 10 minutes. She talked to us all, taking pictures & signing autographes. I introduced Amy to my daughter & told her that I had been to the Lead Me On Hershey, PA stop which was exactly 2 weeks after having my baby. I think that shocked her a little. She said I must have had a lot of faith. Vince even signed some things for some FOA people & someone whom purchased Amy's old yearbook on ebay brought it to show her & talk to her.
A group from FOA went to an Italian restaurant after the soundcheck. Jeff came in late & joined our table. After dinner, Jeff was nice & walked my daughter & me back to the venue. I spotted Jennifer Cook as we were entering the concert hall & saw Jeff talking to her. Ms. Cook must be pretty busy because during the show I kept looking over & saw her using her cell phone.
Vince starts out the show with his guitar doing "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" . It's basically Vince & his guitar "prop." He really doesn't play it that much during the show. He explains that they had a Thanksgiving "blow out" & his jacket no longer fits so he is wearing a red sweatshirt & gray pants.
Amy comes out wearing a black top & a black fancy dress. There are no costume changes during this concert at all. There isn't a intermission, either.
She does "Jingle Bells". Vince follows with "Winter Wonderland".
Amy then dedicates "I'll be home for Christmas" to those serving in the armed forces. Amy talks about Corrina wanting a real fairy for Christmas & about her other kids wants which were peace & understanding then she sings "Grown Up Christmas List". Vince chuckles to himself about Corrina wanting a real life fairy for Christmas. Vince responds to like "Where am I going to find a real life fairy?". He sings "Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas" & "Let it Snow". Amy sings "Love Has Come" then gets her guitar for "Tennessee Christmas" & "Rockin' Around the Christmas". Vince & the band play an instrumental of "Santa Claus is coming to Town" followed by Vince singing "The Christmas Song" & "Sleighride". Amy then does "The night before Christmas". Followed by, Amy and Jenny Gill singing "I Need a Silent Night" with Jenny doing Corrina's spoken part.
Vince talks about his oldest brother who passed away & sings two songs inspired by his brother's death, "Rest High on that Mountain" & "Christmas Won't Be the Same". Amy then sang "Heirlooms" followed by Vince singing "A Cradle in Bethlehem". My favorite song, "Breath of Heaven" was next sung by Amy. Vince did "Oh Holy Night" & received a standing ovation. Vince & Amy had the audience sing some Christmas songs together "O Come All Ye Faithful" then had us stand for "Silent Night" to sing it. Amy did the next song is the last song "Til the Season Comes Round Again". Then they left the stage & came back for the encore. Amy did a really quick band introduction, mostly Vince's touring band with the addition of Jenny Gill & Kim Keyes as the back up singers for this Christmas tour. Vince is really looking tired by now and Amy puts on this crazy smile for Vince. He kinda cracks up and now has a grin on his face. Vince and Amy sing "Give Me Jesus" followed by Amy with "Welcome to Our World" and Vince with a great version of "Do You Hear What I Hear?".
It was a great show. Right after it was over, I had to head back home as it was late & I had my 9 year old daughter with me so did not get to chat with many FOA people much afterwards.
The Band
