Nation Member Of The Month Emily

I grew up in a home where there wasn’t a lot of TV watching. We literally had rabbit ears and a tinfoil situation. We did however have a record player and countless vinyls. Music was and still is so much a part of my family. I was even named after an Andy Williams song. So, I would say I have been a Kenny fan since I was born. I just didn’t know it yet! Because I grew up in a home with all sorts of music, I think that’s another reason I’m drawn to Kenny. He loves all genres and supports all music, and that’s how I feel. My first Kenny show was in 2007. My boss had an extra pair of tickets so I went on a whim with my sister. I was instantly hooked. I went from 0 to 100 during that show and I ‘ve never looked back!

I honestly cannot tell you how many times I have seen Kenny, what I can tell you, is that it’s not enough!!   My favorite Kenny show was actually this year in Nashville for the opening show. Every experience has been wonderful, but this one far exceeded the others because I got to share it with two of my favorite people. Summer, who is my best friend and partner in almost everything and Kylie, who I met through No Shoes Radio. We met for the first time in Tampa in 2012 and have been friends ever since. Sharing that show with those two was literally beautiful. There was laughing, dancing, and even some tears when those special songs were played. As if that wasn’t enough, Connie was able to share it with us in the sandbar, icing on a delicious cake!

My favorite song actually comes from my favorite album. Be As You Are. I love that lyric so much it is tattooed on my foot….it literally changed my life, and it’s how I live my life. I am me, if you don’t like it….that’s okay, I love you anyway.   If I had to pick a 2nd favorite song, it would easily be Old Bird Dog. Something about that guitar at the beginning just sucks me in!

For me, it’s the energy. There is something about that contagious energy when we are all together….like Kenny says “I wish I could bottle it up”.  You feel it the minute you enter an arena or stadium for a show. You know it the second you see that first familiar face at a NSR pre-party. All of us coming together to share in the love of music and all of us coming from different walks of life. If you look at the No Shoes Nation, there is such a variety of people. Young, old, fat, skinny, and so on….yet there is this common thread that ties us together. It’s as if we’ve known each other forever! That energy is what I love and crave.

No Shoes Nation is a wonderful group of people, and I am beyond thankful to be a part of it. Every single person I have met through being a part of this group has impacted me in some way, and I am so thankful for those relationships. I am also thankful for a loving and understanding husband. I could have bought a small island with all the money I’ve spent on concerts and traveling to shows. I wouldn’t have it any other way…….I love being a part of No Shoes Nation!!