Rachel Graf was
so excited to see Dierks Bentley on Thursday night that she wore her "little
white tank top for him."Bentley rocks CUSA
By Sarah Owen and Aldrich Tan • of The Northwestern
June 27, 2008
Rachel Graf was
so excited to see Dierks Bentley on Thursday night that she wore her "little
white tank top for him."
That’s in reference to her favorite Bentley song "What Was I Thinkin’" from his debut album. Graf, 25, of Appleton came to Country USA 2008 with her friends.
At almost 11 p.m. Bentley belted out his hit single "Lot of Leavin’ Left to Do" on the second night of Country USA 2008 at the Ford Festival Park on South Washburn Street at Ripple Avenue.
Amanda Martinson, 25, Graf’s friend and an equally die-hard fan, saw Bentley perform last year at Country USA. Martinson said she is absolutely thrilled to be at Country USA for the eleventh year in a row.
"We’re having a blast," she said.
Earlier in the afternoon, enthusiastic cowboys and country girls made a sport of baring swimsuits and Stetsons as day two of Oshkosh’s Country USA music festival kicked off at Ford Festival Park.
Not even mid 80-degree temperatures and high humidity incited complaints from event-goers who were happy to be back at one of the nation’s largest outdoor parties.
"It’s hot, but as long as it’s not raining, I’m happy," said Alice Wilson, 47, who drove up from Madison for the five-day shindig with her son Trevor, 14, an avid country fan.
The pair shopped for Country USA gear Thursday, and like most fans milling about the 60-acre grounds they couldn’t hide excitement over the impending performance of one particular country superstar, who will headline tonight.
"Kenny Chesney - we’re here for him," mom Wilson said. "But I like all the headliners this year - Dierks Bentley, and Sugarland (Wednesday) was just awesome."
The grounds started buzzing by 4 p.m., with hordes of campers making their way over to the grounds and families securing spots on the grass. On stage Jack Ingram and crew riled up fans before fellow openers Bucky Covington and Miranda Lambert hit the main stage.
And there were plenty of CUSA newbies on site getting their first fill of Oshkosh’s big country bash Thursday. Mother-daughter duo Kerry and Nicole Anderson made a trek to Oshkosh from Elkhorn, to camp tent-style.
"It’s her birthday present," mom Kerry, 30.
When asked which act she can’t wait to set her eyes on this week, Nicole Anderson, 12, lit up and without hesitation said, "Kenny Chesney!"
Other festival-goers camping out at CUSA this week said they’ve noticed improvements in design made to sites. Owner/promoter Dan Liebhauser said the redesign was in response to fans complaining the stalls were too small.
"The campsites are nice, they’re well-organized and pretty big," said Jackie Davenport, 26 of Oregon, who arrived Thursday with friends to pitch their tents.
Guests also offered recommendations for further improvement. Mike Cummings, 25 of Manitowoc, said he’d like campsites to be even larger. "And they could cut the grass a little shorter, and allow drinks into the grounds - sort of like Hodag (Country Festival)."
Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department officials said Thursday the event so far is running smoothly where traffic is concerned, and aside from a couple underage drinking fines there have been no major incidents with unruly patrons.
Sarah Owen: (920) 426-6671 or sowen2@thenorthwestern.com. Aldrich Tan: (920) 426-6663 or atan@thenorthwestern.com.