Wow, what a treat it was being on hand at the first stadium show on Kenny Chesney’s 2011 Goin’ Coastal Tour. The day began with an early morning expedition in a caravan of golf carts to the very last seat in the last row at the top of Raymond James Stadium, where Chesney viewed the stage from the vantage point of his fans and psyched himself for the show. Here’s the view from the very last seat:

And a shot of the gigantic pirate ship that adorns the Buccaneers’ stadium and is so appropriate given Mr. Chesney’s affinity for pirates:

Joining us at the top of the stadium were Sony/BNA execs CEO Gary Overton (in profile), Director of National Promotion Buffy Cooper and Vice President of Media Wes Vause:

Later I got to hang out backstage and hear photographer Danny Clinch and Kenny’s tour manager Robin Majors jam on their harmonicas a bit before lunch:

The tour catering was terrific (yum, Mexican food) but I’m sorry I ate so much because I didn’t have my typically robust appetite when I sauntered over to the Eat and Greet sponsored by Zac Brown Band for their fan club. Zac Brown Band are the featured guests on Kenny’s 2011 Goin’ Coastal tour, and I got to hang out with their team a bit while viewing their incredible new facility for feeding their fans, a gleaming bus-turned-kitchen that’s aptly named Cookie. Pictured here: Lynn Oliver of Zac’s label Southern Ground Artists, Southern Ground recording artist Sonia Leigh, me (Marilyn Laverty)  and ROAR’s Director of Communications Liz Norris:

Many superstar athletes are fans of Kenny, and as a life-long Phillies fanatic I was grateful for the chance to meet and talk to Chase Utley and Cliff Lee (both photo’d here with me, Marilyn Laverty) while they gathered at Kenny’s tour bus to say ‘hi’ before the show:

What nice guys they were and they assured me that the Phils will dominate this year.

The day’s music started with Uncle Kracker and Billy Currington, then featured artists Zac Brown Band, and finally Kenny Chesney and his powerful band in a great set punctuated with a terrific encore in which they were joined by Zac Brown Band. The ’super moon’ illuminated Raymond James Stadium, adding a fairytale glow to a really fun day.