"Sweet Home, Chicago"

I don't know about you, but when I think of Chicago, I think of great music, great food, and great shopping! We, that being the 'rents, my baby sister and I drove all the way to Chicago... for...Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival. (in aid of THE CROSSROADS CENTRE ANTIGUA)And wonderful it was! We were there bright and early saturday morning to plant our rears on our blankets on the ground of the Toyota Park (location of Chicago's soccer team), and waited until noon for the day-long show to start. It was humid and warm in the morning with clouds, hot and very sunny in the afternoon, and cool and calm in the evening..Bill Murray was the host, and he was hillarious. I will not post pics of all the artists that performed, but I will list them: Allison Krauss & Union Station, Jeff Beck, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Sheryl Crow, Vince Gill, Willie Nelson, John Mayer, Doyle Bramhall II, Robert Cray, Buddy Guy, Albert Lee, Los Lobos, John McLaughlin, Hubert Sumlin, The Derek Trucks Band, Jimmie Vaughan, Johnny Winter, Steve Winwood, and B.B. King.

Each person performed about 3-5 songs. I can't really complain about any of the artists, they were all wonderful. Jeff Beck did have a heavier type of music... a lot of guitar and not much else. Plus, his songs were really long and it seemed as if he was up there too long. But, I must admit, he is quite the artist. He is one mean, playin' machine... hands-down.

I was so excited to see Eric Clapton,

B.B. King, Allison Krauss & Union Station, John Mayer, and Sheryl Crow.

And.. I was excited to hear of more awesome artists and have fallen in love with the music of The Derek Trucks Band (featuring Susan Tandeschi).....

Derek Trucks has his own band AND performs with Eric Clapton as well... (see video of both performing at the concert in post below)

.... and Robert Randolph & the Family Band.... This was one of the greatest concerts I have ever been to. Mostly because of all the wonderful artists... TRUE MUSICIANS... I have always liked a lot of these artists, but to actually see them perform and there musical (guitar) abilities... it just blows my mind away... especially John Mayer, Eric Clapton, Derek Trucks, B.B. King, and Robert Randolph.

(I have alos posted another video of John Mayer and Eric Clapton from a while ago.... you can see their awesome talent!)

There had to be over 20,000 people at this concert. The seats were full and the actual soccer field was ful of atleast 5,000 people! After a near 12 hour concert, whether on our feet dancin' to the music or sitting between sets, we got home late that night, but slept in Sunday morning. From there we spent a good portion of our daying consuming wonderful shopping, and great food! The Kerryman... a wonderful Irish Pub!

And .... Dinner.... ....at..... Mmmm. What a perfect way to spend the last night in Chicago!