Wade Hayes' Fan Gathering at Judge Beans
June 10, 2005
Photo Credits: Julia Bellinger, Teresa Bernicky, Missy Fuller, Elaine Mitchell, Sis Walters
Review by: Helen Neal

Nashville’s June weather can either drench you with thunderstorms or scorch you with the heat. With both the humidity and the temperature in the high numbers on June 10th, fans waiting outside Judge Bean’s BBQ were being drenched AND scorched at the same time. But never mind the weather outside. Inside it was all about remedying a condition that hasn’t made the weather charts, but has caught the attention of country music fans far and wide - “Wade drought.”

And from the first refreshing song to the last one, the get together with Wade and his guitar was just the right order for those who’d been experiencing that “drought.” The standing-room-only sold out crowd sang along with the Wade-recorded tunes, enthusiastically embraced the new ones and relished each performance whether it was part of Wade’s catalog or someone else’s country standard.

From 24 states and Canada, Wade supporters came to enjoy the music, the meet and greet with Wade and the chance to see other friends. There’s quite a network of fans who’ve made meaningful friendships through Wade and his music.

Wade started, chronologically as he said, with “Old Enough to Know Better.” He did a couple from the first album before doing new un-recorded ones. “I Wouldn’t Know” is a beautiful ballad about love lost and not knowing how to live with out the feelings of hurt. (“Letting go, it must be nice; but I wouldn’t know.”) “I’m Gettin’ Too Old for This,” is a romping tongue-in-cheek follow-up to “Old Enough ...”Both were heartily received by the audience as were two other new ones, the plaintive “She Knows Me (But Loves Me Anyway) and the clever “Every Time I Give the Devil a Ride (He Wants to Drive).”

Diane Ayers, recent winner of the Asheville Icon contest for vocalists, pleased the crowd with her lilting harmony on Wade’s performance of “The Way I Am.”

The crowd was really into the music and none more so than Alexander, the youngest one there, who had his first birthday on April 20th (same day as Wade’s). He was exceptional in his attention to the music. He tried to harmonize on the high parts and he danced on the tabletop while Grandmom Teresa held him up. At the meet and greet, he became a real performer. On the stage in Wade’s arms, he smiled and waved. When the audience clapped for him, he first looked puzzled. Then he repeated his routine and drew more applause. He really got into the rhythm of it - smiling and waving and waiting for the audience reaction.

Wade performed for an hour, signed autographs and visited for nearly another two hours. Then he had to hustle downtown for an interview with the Sirius Satellite crew. Their conversation with him was broadcast over “The Roadhouse” radio channel. Those of us still at the Judge’s heard it through the house speakers. Wade talked about his music, hanging out with other musicians at Judge Bean’s, and the “great crew” he had behind him.

Judge Beans Web Site

Kudos to Judge Bean and his staff for helping make this a "great afternoon." And I couldn't have done it without helpers Missy Fuller, Ashleigh Mitchell, Elaine Mitchell and Terri Robison.
 

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