Even though I had never been to the Renaissance Center in Dickson TN before I was very happy to get there the night of Tanya’s concert because I was running on Tuckertime and afraid I was going to miss the opening (I shoulda known better). After Tanya’s LIVE at Billy Bob’s release a year ago, I was very curious what was up with another LIVE release. So I was anxious!

 

I had time to get to the concert, talk to some folks and get settled. The theatre was a pretty small venue, very comfortable. The stage set was like a sky full of stars with some props on the stage along with a string section of young musicians. There was a lot of time getting the stage together. The MC of the night gave us a rundown of how things would go for the recording. We had to do a few rolls of applause and laughter while he was onstage which was a little strange. I never realized how different it would be up close during a taping while a camera felt like it was right beside your head. Finally after all the crew left the band got setup and it was time for Tanya. Finally!

 

She came out looking hotter than fish grease in her red and black Manuel outfit (from her recent Vegas gig) Tanya opened up with Old Weakness from her 2002 Tanya CD. It rocked LIVE a lot more than on the CD in my opinion. She finished the song and then they said act like she didn’t do it, something went wrong and she did it again. She did a lot of songs that haven’t been on her concert setlist in a long time. It was so good to hear some songs I hadn’t heard LIVE in years and a couple I’d never heard her do in concert. She sang If Your Heart Ain’t Busy Tonight, (Without You) What Do I Do With Me.

She talked about how she loved singing this next song and started singing Don’t Go Out. I thought she would do it with a member of the band but out walks T Graham Brown. They killed the song but like the first song, they had to do it again. It was great seeing T Graham sing that with her. Before Tanya sang her 1997 hit Little Things she told us she was recording her new CD with the producer of Complicated- Gregg Brown. She talked about Jerry Crutchfield and how he had produced 13 of her albums and did a song I have always wanted to hear in concert and never had. Don’t Believe My Heart Can Stand Another You. It was great! She sang Here’s Some Love and Spring both from that era and told the story of the record labels battling it out over her. She changed to a black and silver outfit that pictures just can’t capture. She looked soo beautiful.

She continued on doing songs she rarely does when she broke into Can I See You Tonight, My Arms Stay Open All Night then walked out another special guest as she started singing Tell Me About It. It was another great surprise seeing Delbert McClinton sing this in person. She also did Soon. Then the crew setup some stools and stuff on the front of the stage which took quite some time. After awhile

Tanya came out in another different outfit and talked some, talked and introduced the band. Then she said she had recorded this last song years ago as a tribute for her dad and that she just hoped that she could get through it. (her father Beau passed away less than a month before on Thanksgiving). It was very touching hearing and watching her sing this song knowing what she was going through. She got thru the song said her good night and left. This was the first time in all the Tanya shows that I’ve been to where I didn’t hear Delta Dawn but after the closing tribute of Daddy And Home- it didn’t matter.

The MC came out thanking everybody for being so patient all night and that Tanya would be back out to redo a couple of the songs. She changed back to the red outfit and did Little Things and (Without You) What Do I Do With Me. If there was anything wrong on Tanya’s part of the songs she redone, I never noticed but I didn’t complain. The show will have 13 songs but at least we got to hear her do 4 of them twice and the entertainment from the band and string section during the costume changes. Being there 3 hours was a long time. I have never been to a LIVE taping and it was pretty interesting. I can’t wait until it’s released so I can relive my night.

 

After the concert there was a reception with some food and then here came T. She was gracious and friendly as ever. We chatted, took pics and she autographed my Tanya hat I’d bought. We talked to Nancy about our favorite Tuckerville moment when she gets Tanya all tongue tied over Nancy’s boob job and flash. They got a laugh out of it too. It was a great night.

 

Whenever this is released, it will be a must have for Tanya fans. If you have Billy Bob’s LIVE DVD, this is basically a better part two with 13 songs NOT on the other one. I am very thankful Tanya did this for the fans and her dad too I am sure. Thank you so much Tanya!

Mark (KY)