October 3, 2001��
The Gallery
Panningen is a small place in the Dutch province of Limburg, with a few shops and restaurants. The Gallery consists of the Grand Caf�, the luxurious restaurant, and the large concert room with a bar. Upstairs, there is the art gallery which is the reason why the place carries its name. We arrived long before the concert began, so we could get in touch with the people from The Gallery. In the cozy and stylish Grand Caf�, the food was superb, and we enjoyed it very much.
We were admitted in after the sound check, into the beautiful long room with its tables and chairs, and there were high tables and bar stools behind. Many people came to attend, and the concert was completely sold out, with a lot of people standing in the back. Behind the stage, an American flag was attached to the wall, and Kevin was grateful about that.
Kevin and Al were welcomed, their show began, and everyone was spellbound by the music. We listened to songs from the albums "Another Long Story", "Fear Nothing" and "Kevin Montgomery Live at the Blue Bird Caf�". The audience was amazed by the wonderful songs and Kevin's voice. Al showed he is a master at the dobro, he played brilliantly, and he often accompanied Kevin by singing harmony vocals. The crowd became really enthusiastic about their professional way of playing, the fun they had doing so, and showed their feelings by clapping their hands in delight.
Many of them came to the front to take photos, and sat on the floors for that. Kevin asked someone to take a photograph of the audience for him, joking that he told his mom that he was just going out for cigarettes about a month ago. He asked all of us to smile, and of course we did!!
After the song "I Won't Close My Eyes", Kevin left the stage to Al Perkins, the man who had already played together with celebrities such as the Rolling Stones, The Eagles, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, Emmylou Harris, Bob Dylan, Dan Fogelberg, Gram Parsons and many many more. When Al asked how many of us knew what his instrument is, some said it was a banjo, so Al explained us the dobro and its history, and to show us something special he played a bluegrass song by Josh Graves and a blues number. We discovered this instrument could make beautiful sounds, he played it marvelously, and many clapped their hands along. Al said that the night before, everyone in the Happy Days in The Hague had sung along to "Honky Tonk Woman", and asked if we would like to join him tonight as well. All the crowd shouted "Yeah". It was great fun, a great song to sing along, and that contributed quite a lot to the bombastic atmosphere.
Kevin entered the stage again, and sang his favourite Mavericks song "I Don't Even Know Your Name" from the album "Trampoline", to which he had listened over and over again as he told us.
"I Can't Drive You From My Mind", a song he wrote together with Jon Randall and Rodney Crowell, is an especially beautiful song, and it is finally available on Kevin's latest live album.
Kevin explained that his favourite record in the world is "Late For the Sky" by Jackson Browne, and his second favourite is "Back in Black" by AC/DC. There was some laughter from the audience, and he said: "I don't know, I don't know, I don't understand it really, but I will play a special song now." He is always good for a surprise, as he proved when he sang then "You Shook Me All Night Long"!! His version was great, and the crowd's stormy applause followed. Al's dobro play added a wonderful rhythm to this rock song.
Of course, he could not leave out "No Surrender", a beautiful song by Bruce Springsteen with amazing lyrics.
With two encores, "At Our Best" and "Fear Nothing", the show ended. It was incredibly great that the audience always waits to hear "Fear Nothing", and sings along in the end.
After the show, it was CD selling time again, and the crowd seemed endless. Kevin laid down his guitar and took his felt-tip pen, to provide the autograph hunters with their new trophies. Many of the people stayed for a drink, and enjoyed the atmosphere.
It was once again a fantastic night, we thank the two guys, they were really doing something unforgettable. Late at night, we said good-bye to the people from The Gallery, and offered our thanks for the perfect organization and the great show.
Setlist
Another Long Story
Red-Blooded American Boy
Let's All Go To California
Tennessee Girl
I Won't Close My Eyes
I Don't Even Know Your Name
Wishing
I Can't Drive You From My Mind
Stumbled
You Shook Me All Night Long
Visions Of White
No Surrender See the pics from Helden-Panningen
The encores:
At Our Best
Fear Nothing HOME
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