Don't Stop

Wade Hayes

Concert review - Lawton, Oklahoma - Jan. '99
 

by: Lisa Jansen-Rees
Photo by Elaine Hollenbeck

Recently I had the good fortune to attend my third Wade Hayes concert and, not to diminish the impact this dazzling baritone made the first two times, there is truth in the cliche, "The third time's a charm!"  As I watched him delight the audience with his many hits I marveled at the expertise this young man brings to the stage.  It takes countless hours for a gifted artist to master even one instrument, but Wade has mastered two.  Neither his voice nor his ability on the guitar can be rivaled by any but the country legends he reveres.  Wade Hayes IS a Tribute to Tradition personified.

When this Oklahoma native took the stage at the Diamondback Saloon the audience was more than ready to welcome home thier wandering son.  His opening number, On A Good Night, seemed to label what the evening had in store for everyone in attendance.  By his second number, Don't Stop, Wade was loose enough to exhibit some rather sexy moves, and the audience joined right in.   Even the balcony was dancing!  Hit after hit rolled off the end of Wade's fingers and his vocal cords - How Do You Sleep At Night, The Day She Left Tulsa,   What I Meant To Say, Old Enough To Know Better.  The truly amazing thing was that he sang and played them all to perfection.  I have to admit that, being an old rock and roller, I was sure no one could finger harmonics on the neck of a guitar with the speed and accuracy that Eddie Van Halen gets - until I saw Wade Hayes.  His talent is something that has to be witnessed.

No Wade Hayes concert would be complete without a good sampling of the kind of country music that sparked Wade into picking up a guitar.  He introduced a traditional set by saying, "Now I know that in Oklahoma ya'll like good, traditional country music.  But back when I was growing up I had lots of friends that weren't from around here and whenever I tried to turn them on to some of that good music they'd always say, 'Oh man, country music is so boring and whiney.'  But I said, 'No Boy's, you've got it wrong!'"   And he proved his point by playing a rendition of Whiskey River that nearly brought the house down.

One thing that was very evident in Wade's recent performance was his growth as a performer.  He's happier, more open and appears to be having a lot more fun.  Maybe it's that he's becoming comfortable with who he is as an artist, maybe it reflects recent events in his personal life (yep, it's official and we did see the ring!)  Whatever it is, my advice to Wade Hayes is simple - Don't Stop!

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