Tim McGraw played an imperfect show Thursday.
The country music legend performed at Cincinnati’s Riverbend Music Center, and I’m sure he won’t rank the concert up there with some of his best ever.
He still battled through adversity (that sounds like sports jargon, I know), and he gave his all for the fans in the crowd. He also took us on a trip down memory lane.
Here are my takeaways from the show.
Tim McGraw was about 40 minutes late and fell on stage
As I said, it was an imperfect show.
McGraw said his set was supposed to start around 9 p.m., but he didn’t take the stage until around 9:40 p.m. With relief, he said "I made it!" as soon as he and his band started playing.
McGraw apologized and said he was late due to travel and weather issues, which is certainly relatable. It would just be nice if touring
artists could spend more time in the cities they perform in, so these problems don't arise and affect the people who pay money to see them play.
The three-time Grammy winner made up for his late start, beginning the show with some acoustic songs and playing a special rendition of "My Best Friend." He admitted he hadn't played that one in a while, but his wife, Faith Hill, requested it, which made it feel like we were sharing a special moment with him.
McGraw then started rocking with some bangers, but, as he sang one of my favorite songs of all time, "I Like It, I Love It" he fell off a speaker. He fell hard, too.
The 59 year old recovered well and kept singing, before stretching between songs. But he clearly wasn't clicking on all cylinders after rushing to get on stage.
The fans deserved a Dolly Parton tribute
Dolly Parton's presence was felt in Cincinnati on Thursday.
The icon, who died just two days prior, was seen all over the venue, with country music fans wearing Dolly T-shirts. I also heard "9 to 5" as I drove into the parking lot.
McGraw gave a lovely tribute to Parton via social media this week.
"She was an icon and showed us all what was possible, not only as a human but as an entertainer," he wrote via Instagram. "She was the blueprint, head and shoulders above anyone that came before her and all those of us that have come after. Everything she did, she did it with kindness, grace and that famous wit and smile. It’s been hard to not be in tears all day. There will never be another Dolly Parton."
I went into the night feeling certain McGraw would pay special tribute to the special woman that was Parton. She was, however, never mentioned.
Everyone grieves differently, and he seemed rushed due to his late start. But it was disappointing, nonetheless. Parton was still at the show in spirit.
Tim McGraw still gave us, me included, a walk down memory lane
Listen, I don't want to be completely negative about one of my favorite artists of all time. He still kept the energy through the roof all night, and he put on a hell of a show during the time he was on stage.
McGraw has been a hit machine over the years, and you forget just how many he has had until you see him in concert.
I nearly cried during the acoustic portion when he sang "Don't Take the Girl." I mentioned him falling during my favorite song. I still scream-sang "I Like It, I Love It," just like I did in first grade when my parents entered me into a radio contest in which I had to sing that song and leave it as the message on our answering machine.
Seeing clips of Tim and Faith through the years, as he sung "My Best Friend," reminded me of how short life really is and how special it is to find your person. I also felt how fleeting life is while listening to "Live Like You Were Dying," the song I performed for my fourth grade talent show.
Was McGraw's concert perfect? Of course not. But his music transported me back to so many of my core memories from childhood. I am sure everyone in the crowd felt like they were young again, too. Even if it was just for a moment.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Tim McGraw shows up late, falls on stage in Cincinnati
