Day One
10 July 2003
Always expect delays and detours in life, so starts our journey to Lifest 2003. Around 11:20am myself and my two driving buddies Kevin and Johnny (two-thirds of Revelation 3) start the trek from Platteville, WI to Oshkosh, WI. After zig-zaging our way across the great state of Wisconsin through orange cones and white and orange barricades, we finally arrive at our destination some two plus hours later.
After check in, we hooked up with the Charles' (Tim and Sharon) my camping buddies and the parents of Kevin. We unpacked and geared up for the start of the event.
My fist stop wasn't actually a concert, but the media room where I took an exclusive Lifest interview with Jonah 33. As I finished the interview, the members of Skillet walked in and the ribbing between the two bands began. Both are on the same label and John and Corry Cooper (Skillet) were actually a part of the Jonah 33 debut.
After milling around the press room for awhile I finally decided to venture out and catch some shows. My first show was One Cross, a Canadian trio who were really rocking the house. Having reviewed their last CD "Welcome to the Real World," I was anxious to hear them live. I quickly found out that there was much more energy in this trio that could be contained in a little round disc.
Next on the circuit was Jonah 33 in concert and as I walked into the outdoor stage area they were already jamming' away. Jonah 33 is gutsy rock with a strong conviction or witness. One particular song they sang was "Watching You Die," which is about watching your friends die without sharing the gospel with them.
I took some time to walk through the merchandise building, where I ran into a very enthusiastic volunteer who was selling Megan Roberson merchandise. She convinced me to go check out Megan's performance on Stage X. As the nice lady explained, "She's the next Amy Grant, and she's cute." So I obliged the very devout volunteer and caught the majority of Megan's performance. Megan was performing what could be considered dance-pop with a hint of "sassy." Between songs she was all smiles and giggles. So much of her bubbly attitude and amazing vocals reminded me of Rachael Lampa.
Towards the end of Megan's set the rain began pouring down, thus putting an end to my note taking. So from here on in my night is recorded from memory.
After the rain started and Megan finished singing I made a mad dash for the merchandise building again. From there I ventured out to see Mercy Me at the Grandstand, which is set in the middle of a dirt race track. I quickly remembered what I learned in my Army Engineering school in Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. That was that dirt + water = MUD! It was like our own little Woodstock as the kids danced and played around in the mud like pigs in their wallow. Because of the rain and mud (and not being prepared for it) I didn't stay long at this show. I heard they were lucky enough to finish their set before the sound system fell victim to the weather.
Now ends day one and my greatest lesson of the day was to expect delays and detours, but never doubt that God is in control.