My Oklahoma Home Free adventure

Howdy y’all! I’m back from my unbelievably fantastic Home Free/Home Fries weekend in Oklahoma. I think many fries would agree when I say it went by far too fast! I haven’t laughed this hard, screamed this loud, been so psyched, enjoyed myself or drank that much in years!!!

My weekend started Saturday morning, when two other Texas fries and I drove up to Norman, Oklahoma to the Riverwind Casino. Now for those reading this that have seen Home Free live, you know how difficult it can be to find just the right expletive to describe how you feel when you’re in VIP talking with them, getting pictures with them and watching the concert. In VIP they are sweet, funny and just plain folk. They tease the fans and don’t hold back. They are welcoming to those who are there for the first time and make sure the veteran concert goers get a new and entertaining experience. Now, on this particular VIP, I had the thrilling job of giving Adam Rupp his birthday cards from Home Fries around the world. Yes, Saturday April 23^rd was Adam Rupp’s birthday. I was at the end of the VIP signing line and I am naturally a nervous person, so I hope my voice didn’t shake too much when I told him, “on behalf of Home Fries around the world, Happy Birthday!” He smiled big when I handed him a big birthday bag filled with cards and gifts from his loving fans! Nothing brighter or more satisfying than a grown man’s childlike grin when he’s humbled at his fan’s generosity and gratitude. His smile alone made my day and I was happy I got to make this presentation, at least once. 

Now, for the concert. Home Free was just as dynamic and top-notch as they always are, but this concert had two extra things about it that made it just a little better. Tim announced Adam’s birthday and told the audience to feel free to get Adam fruity umbrella drinks from the bar to help him celebrate. Throughout the concert, various colored drinks and shots kept appearing. Occasionally, one of more the guys would take a sip or chug a shot. At one point Adam had two drinks and a microphone in his hands. He seemed a bit perplexed as to how to remedy his situation until mysterious hands from back stage took the drinks from him. The second thing, was these awetacularific speakers, as tall as me, that stood on either side of the stage. I was in the front row, but far right and there was an extra VIP section in the center, so those speakers were in front of me, but about twenty feet away. When Tim hit those low notes or when Adam dropped the bass, that twenty feet might as well have been TWO!! I have never felt my chest rattle that hard, not even at one of their concerts. I keep putting my hand on my chest to steady my very skeleton! My hair blew back, honest! I don’t mean like model down the runway blew back, but my hair blew back from the power of the low notes through those mighty speakers. That was freakin’ AWESOME! Gives a whole new meaning to “feel the rumble”! Forget bass in your butt, this went down to my core and heartbeat!

Our after concert get together was small, but filled with so much laughter the waitresses brought us all water, thinking we had had too much to drink. That included our designated driver who wasn’t drinking at all. I guess we made too much noise for a Saturday night in Norman, Oklahoma. 

On to Tulsa we go. Our pre-VIP fry meet up was fun, but short. Time wasn’t on our side this day, but we managed to make it. During this VIP, I did not have birthday cards, however, I did come with a bag full of Girl Scout cookies. For those who have followed me for a while, you might remember my daughter took them GS cookies last year in Dallas. Adam got me in trouble with Nate because he was digging in the bag looking for his favorite flavor, Tagalongs! Well, he did it again. That’s right, Adam was digging in the bag to find his favorite and when he found it, he pulled out the box. When I finally got free, I could hear Nate telling us to keep moving. Chris had already moved out of the signing line and I wanted to tell him good-bye, so I quickly handed Nate the bag of cookies and called Chris. I asked him for a hug, since I would not be able to make the Patreon party. He gave me a hug that one would get from a friend. I was touched (and no, he doesn’t know me from any other fan). A true sweetheart and gentleman. I do wish him success and happiness, always.

Second VIP down and I’m feeling great! This time I had a couple of drinks before the concert. Similar to Norman, I was in the front row, but the stage was about thirty feet away. There was an empty wooden floor between the seats and the stage (this will be important later). The crowd was loud and energetic and the guys were just crazy good! I love when Austin gets that adorable little kid smile when the crowd goes insane. Well, the Tulsa crowd brought it and the guys loved it! Their performance was flawless and exhilarating! I could live happily on the effervescent vibes that you get at their concerts. Rob was on fire, Adam was beatboxing perfection, Austin was stunning and spirited, Chris was smooth, sweet and moving and Tim, well Tim was Tim…sarcastic, bassy and brought the house down! ESPECIALLY during Ring of Fire. He said something like “how about some dancers for this one,” and every person from the front row ran, not walked, RAN to the stage and filled that wooden floor! It was so much fun to watch. He may have worried about the decision to invite dancers for a second or two, but it turned out to be a Foustanding idea! The crowd loved it and I believe the guys did too. It made that low note at the end a treat for those close to the speakers, dancing. This was definitely a concert I wish could have gone on all night! 

And as a little bonus, Chance (Adam Chance) came down after the signing line and signed autographs and talked with us. You could tell he was a little overwhelmed and shy, but he did great! My daughter is now the proud owner of a Home Free night shirt, signed by six members of Home Free! We did go out after the concert and again had some laughs and hung out until way past my bed time, but I loved it!

Whew! That was long, but the weekend was amazing! Home Fries are the best! There were a lot of first timers at both concerts, so hopefully the guys gained some new fans. They just get bigger every day and they are getting some well-deserved attention. They will be opening for Alabama, that’s right, you read that right, they will be opening for Alabama in September in Kansas City. I wish I could be there, but I know they will rock the house, as they always do! Good luck Chris, welcome Chance and keeping being awesome Home Free! I can’t wait until my next Home Free/Home Fries adventure.

Until next time, enjoy every day and smile at a stranger!