Last night two of my favorite artists, Keith Urban and John Mayer, performed at the Gorge Amphitheater in George, Wash.

My mom and I initially purchased general admission tickets to the concert. Friday afternoon my friend Griff, who works at Rhapsody, posted a Facebook status about having extra concert tickets. Long story short, he hooked me up with two free VIP tickets. With two extra tickets, I called Mendy who instantly said yes to a free concert.

Mom and I arrived at the Gorge Saturday afternoon ready to rock. We met Mendy and Amanda, mixed drinks and wandered the campsite. Thirty minutes before the concert we experienced a minor crisis. Mom lost the car keys! “How is this possible when you have a gargantuan mace keychain?” you ask. Good question… It’s like losing a small child at the fair, difficult yet not impossible. Trying not to freak out (in my head I freaked out) we retraced our steps. God must’ve wanted us to rage because in the middle of an empty field Mendy found my car keys. Fifteen minutes until the show starts, it’s go time!

The four of us walked to the venue, still in awe about our afternoon situation. We parted ways and posted up for the show. For whatever reason, none of the Gorge employees knew where VIP was located. Taking matters into our own hands, Mom and I walked in like we owned the place, found empty seats in the 15th row and befriended the neighbors. Again for whatever reason, the entire 15th row was empty. Perfect for Mom and me to dance, sing and take pictures!

Keith Urban headlined the show and kicked things off with top songs like “You’re My Better Half,” “Somebody Like You” and “I’m In.” Halfway through his set John Mayer joined in. Instantly the crowd went nuts. How could they not? It’s John Mayer and Keith Urban together at the Gorge, jamming out in one of the most intense guitar duets I’ve ever heard. Literally, it gave me goosebumps from the nape of my neck to my tailbone.

After a brief intermission John Mayer took the stage. This is where I went on my mission. I hopped from the 15th row to the 14th, 13th, 12th then tenth. From the tenth row aisle I begged Gorge security to let me sneak to the front. I guess being an attractive female with a camera does the trick. I made it to the front row, danced on a chair, sang like a rockstar and snapped breathtaking photos. I about died! Mr. Mayer, did you see me!?

In true John Mayer fashion, he offered the audience a few words of wisdom. “Tonight for the first time in a long time, I feel like a teenager again,” Mayer said. “I’m having a great time playing at the Gorge!” (Insert audience screams here)

With summer coming to a close, John also said, “Summer isn’t over until September. If it’s August, you party every day like it’s the first of August.” Again the crowd went wild.

Mayer left us with this thought. “There’s too much negative energy in the world” he said, “if someone tells you they don’t like your dress, don’t listen to them. If you like your dress, wear it. Wear it and say, ‘I like my dress.’” Geez, it is any surprise this guy charmed the pants of Jen Aniston and Jessica Simpson!?

Four hours later, the concert came to a close. John and Keith played a duet of “Money for Nothing” by Dire Straights. I couldn’t sing loud enough or dance hard enough. At the end of the show I screamed like a little girl on top of my chair clapping like a maniac. What a rush!

Now here’s the PR guru in me… To promote my website and the amazing photos I snapped, I ran to the stage and gave the concert videographer my card in hopes of him passing along my information. (If you’re reading this, thanks!) I also met John Mayer’s tour photographers and gave them business cards as well. Who knows what doors they could open? Bess Belleau Byers, Digital Journalist and Northwest Blogger!?

Of all the concerts I’ve attended, this show without a doubt ranks in the top three. (Elton John and KOL are up there too!) I snapped over 1500 photos. Keith Urban and John Mayer put on a spectacular show. Like I’ve said before, putting a Gorge concert experience into words is difficult. It’s not something you can describe, but something you feel. If you haven’t felt the Gorge yet, you haven’t felt life in the Pacific Northwest!

*As promised, I’m giving shout outs to everyone who made this experience one I will never forget. Thank you so much to Griff and J.R. at Rhapsody for the amazing tickets. Thank you to Phil from Milwaukee (or was it Minnesota?) who encouraged me to sneak to the front. You’re right, I had nothing to lose and everything to gain. Again, a huge thank you to Dan at Gorge concert security who let me creep to the front. Without your combined help, I wouldn’t have captured such amazing photos!

♥ BB