McGraw connects with fans on a deeper level

Tim McGraw on July 23 entertains a full house at Harveys in Stateline. Photos/Kathryn Reed

By Kathryn Reed

STATELINE — With an arsenal of hit songs to draw from, Tim McGraw wouldn’t ever have to put out another album. But that’s not how he does things.

His 14th studio album “Damn Country Music” came out last year and it’s still getting a ton of airtime. It’s hard to listen to country radio and not hear “Humble and Kind” at least once a day. For many, that is not often enough.

But it’s even better in person, though the video is even more compelling.

The song is simple – it’s about what it means to be humble and kind; and asks us all to be a little more of each. Perhaps it hits a cord more now because of the cacophony heard on the campaign trail – and even in our local city hall.

Or maybe it’s that his words are re-emphasizing the good my parents tried to instill me.

McGraw is a veteran of this venue, having been a part of the Harvey’s Outdoor Concert Series in 2002, 2010 and 2013. Mom and I saw him here three years ago – a great memory.

Tim McGraw stats:
• Sold more than 40 million records worldwide
• 36 No. 1 singles
• 3 Grammy’s
• 16 Academy of Country Music Awards
• 14 Country Music Association Awards
• 10 American Music Awards
• 3 People’s Choice Awards      

He wasn’t needed for many of the songs as the audience knew the words well beyond the chorus.

Good music has a way of connecting the listener on an emotional level. McGraw is a master at this.

He joked Friday night, saying how he was supposed to be done by 10pm (such are the noise regulations), but that wasn’t going to be enough time to get through 27 years’ worth of hits. And he was right.

In the 16-song set, plus three encores on July 23, McGraw was able to touch on several of his albums such as:

·      1995 “I Like It, I Love It” from the album “All I Want”

·      1997 “Just to See You Smile – album “Everywhere”

·      2002 “Red Rag Top” – album “Tim McGraw and the Dancehall Doctors”

·      2014 “Shotgun Rider” – album “Sundown Heaven Town”.

The night came to a close with “Live Like You are Dyin” from his 2004 album by the same name. Twelve years later and the words still resonate:

“I loved deeper, 
“And I spoke sweeter, 
“And I gave forgiveness I’ve been denying, 
“And he said someday I hope you get the chance,
“To live like you were dyin’.”