"Co-Pirate Or Bust" | Welcome to the Sandbar

A story told by an amazing member of The No Shoes Nation.

How she became her own co-pirate, getting the most out of Kenny experiences and inspiring others to do the same.

I’ve been a Kenny fan since about the late 90’s… from the beginning. I got into his music after beginning to listen to country music in 93, an old boyfriend got me into listening to it. At that time it was the sounds of Alan Jackson, Vince Gill, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Garth Brooks and Randy Travis. I was enjoying and really getting a feel for what country music was all about. Asking myself, why did it take so long? It was a few years before Kenny would actually start being played on the radio. A few years down the road Kenny came into my life. During this time he had began being played on the radio with his hits “The Tin Man” (which I vaguely remember listening to) and “Me and You”. I loved the twang of his voice, his country sound and he wasn’t half bad to look at either. What really caught my eye and remember most, is seeing his video “I Lost It” over and over on CMT (when they actually played videos). I listened to his music more and more after that and before I knew it I was hooked. I never got to see him in bars or play his gigs for tips in the early years. I was living in Alaska during the years of 1993-2003. Last time I checked Kenny isn’t real fond of the snow or the cold and I don’t think he’d be making any trips to Alaska soon LOL. So, as any real fan does, I listened to him on the radio, bought his music on cds and thus was the beginning of supporting him as an artist with his career.
I lived in Oregon for about a year and half in 2003-2005. During that time he began touring with Tim McGraw as an opening act, but was never able to get to a show of Tim’s, I was also a big fan of his. It wasn’t till 2005 when I moved to Texas, that I had the first real opportunity to attend one of Kenny’s shows. After following him as an artist, reading the stories and following his career etc. I was so excited. In May of 2005, Dallas, Texas at the American Airlines arena that was going to be my very first official Kenny Chesney concert. At this time I didn’t know anyone to attend the show with, so I was able to get my husband to go, despite his lack of enthusiasm for country music and Kenny. Lets face it, what husband doesn’t get a little jealous of Kenny Chesney for monopolizing their wife’s time. Mine is no different. To this day I get references by my husband… Kenny this and Kenny that, LOL. I know it’s all in fun and he’s happy for me when I can escape for a show or two, or three, or four during the summer. Back to the story….
My first Kenny show was a great experience. It was fun, he played all the hits he had during that time and I always remember that was the time when he would play “Lay Me Down” and serenade some lucky lady in the audience. It was also when Gretchen Wilson opened up for him and they sang “Hurt So Good” and got down and dirty with it… LOL
My first seats at a KC show were in the very back corner of the arena towards the ceiling. I literally needed binoculars to see him. I was wishing I was closer, but as my husband always reminds me at any type of show we go to, the music is the same wherever you sit. To a point that is true, until I discovered the infamous sandbar pit! I wanted to be that person so close to the stage you could touch him. It was at this point I learned more about Kenny after discovering his fan club site and of course joined it in a New York minute. I would read comments, stories, complaints and the experiences people would have at his shows. I interacted with people online, but didn’t have anyone in my home area that enjoyed him enough to go with me to the shows. What was I to do? At this moment in time I didn’t want to go by myself. I didn’t really know anyone, was a bit hesitant to stay in cities I didn’t know and in a hotel I didn’t feel safe in. Who wants to go to a show by themselves….BORING! I believe the Dallas show was the only show I attended in 2005. I would have to do some research and look at my past tickets, which I think I still have about 95% of them. It wasn’t until 2006 that things took a dramatic turn for me in my life socially and personally.
In 2006 while browsing the Kenny fan club site, there was an advertisement for a Kenny Chesney cruise to the Bahamas to see him in concert on the beach. It was described as a trip of a lifetime and I truly believed that. What could be better than seeing Kenny on the beach, in the Bahamas? I can’t think of anything better, unless he personally invited me to his home, which I know will never happen. So, I gathered all the information and began to think about it. I actually went back and forth in my mind should I go or shouldn’t I? What would my husband say? How much is this going to cost me? My personality wouldn’t allow me to go without someone to hang with, have fun with, sing his songs with, drink with and talk to all hours of the morning with. I didn’t have anyone at the time to do all those things with… someone that would make an experience like that so much more memorable. I really, really wanted to go! It would be a lifetime experience and I was thinking to myself I would truly miss out on something special and unique if I didn’t go. I continued to go back and forth for awhile and finally reached the point where I took all the info to my hubby. It was a long discussion, involving a decision between the Kenny trip and possibly a trip for our 10th wedding anniversary that same year. I knew in my head there would be more anniversary trips and this was possibly a trip that would never happen again. After lengthy discussions and still hesitation on my part, I finally decided to go way out of my comfort zone and go on the cruise… BY MYSELF! I can’t believe I had actually decided to do this. You know what though? I’m so glad I did because this was a pivotal point in my life. It was where my Kenny friends started developing and special friendships to this day began. I knew no one when I went and by the end of the cruise I made about ten of the closest friends I still have to this day. I was so proud of myself for doing it, but I also give thanks to Kenny and his music for getting me there. Because of him, I wouldn’t have the most magnificent group of friends I also call my extended family. I had the time of my life, something I thought in a million years would never happen. I let myself enjoy life, got to know people, had fun, went to a concert with others I didn’t know, I partied with people who came from all walks of life. I finally started to break down that barrier of not wanting to go places by myself. What if I had not gone? I would have missed out on so much; meeting people who enjoy Kenny and his music, seeing Kenny play on a beach, and the long lasting friendships I have developed to this day. I would have truly regretted not going, It was a pivotal point that has changed me into the person and Kenny fan I am today. As a person who has pretty much been an introvert her entire life, it really was a moment I was proud of. Yes, I took the first step in going, but it was because of Kenny that I went on that journey. He truly changed me and I bet he doesn’t even realize the power he has to do that in peoples lives. He brings people together through his music, through who he is as a person and an artist. He has this way of making you want to better yourself. To be the best YOU possible. He did that by creating NO SHOES NATION, where everyone is your friend and family.
During that pivotal point in my life I decided that I didn’t want to miss out on the fun I could have at tailgates and concerts. I would become my own CO-PIRATE, as the term has been identified by our girls, Connie and Michelle of Welcome to the Sandbar. Throughout the years of going to shows I have gotten to know the best people. Each show and tailgate I’ve gone to bring more and more people into my life and I wouldn’t change it for the world. I went from having zero Kenny friends back in 2005 to hundreds now in 2019. Some I know just through Facebook, and most I know personally. Do we talk all the time… no. Most I just see at shows once a year but I know they always have my back. That is what NSN is all about. It is hard to wrap my head around the fact that Kenny did this to me. Kenny brought these people into my life. It happened because I decided to take that first step and go to shows by myself. So many of those wonderful experiences have made me who I am today. I am not afraid anymore and neither should anyone else be. I am telling my story to show everyone it is possible to go to shows by yourself and have just as much fun even if you went with a friend. There is always going to be a No Shoes Nation friend there that will have your back. You are the only one responsible for making the experiences the best they can be. Don’t be afraid to go to a show and sing, dance, make friends with the people around you, drink a beer, have an experience in the sandbar. Step out and be your own CO-Pirate! I promise you won’t regret it. About 95% of the shows I’ve gone to I have gone by myself. I have driven 13 hours to a show by myself, I went on a cruise to see Kenny thousands of miles away from home by myself, I’ve been in the sandbar by myself. Do I meet up with people at some of these shows I may know who are going? I sure do, but I still make the decision to go by myself, meet up with the people and make it the best experience possible.
While Kenny has changed my personal life, I can recall last year I changed someones life myself.
In 2018 I was attending the show in Tampa, and was on my way there from Mississippi. I received a DM from someone I didn’t know. She was inquiring about me going to the show and if I was going with anyone. I had told her I was attending and driving alone but was meeting up with friends. She thought that was the neatest thing, that I wasn’t afraid to go by myself. We had a great conversation and I actually convinced her to come down after she was debating herself about coming. I had told her, see, by contacting me, you already have a friend for the show so come on down. She did, and drove down from Jacksonville. It was a great feeling what I did for someone. It was what Kenny did for me. Now we’ve become great friends.
Recently I’ve seen posts from people wanting to sell their tickets because their friend or family member backed out on going to the show. Don’t do it! Go to the show! Don’t let someone else take away the potential Kenny experience you could be missing out on. I will never make that mistake again. Don’t be afraid to go alone, dance alone, have a beer alone, sing to Kenny’s songs at the top of your lungs alone. If you don’t take a chance you could possibly miss out on that special Kenny experience. When in doubt, I hope you always choose to be your own Co-Pirate! I’m glad I did back in 2006! Much love to all the people I’ve met along the way who have made my Kenny experiences the best life experiences ever. Here’s to many more years of shows, family, friends and NSN! Love you all!