Winter Jam!

One of the fun parts of my job is the chance to work some concerts, and last Sunday, I was assigned the Winter Jam concert! If you don't know about Winter Jam...it's a huge night of music with multiple {big name} artists - and the entry donation is just $10. The great thing about Winter Jam is that it allows families and teens who might not have much money to afford a concert the chance to go hear the artists they love. The bad thing is that this year especially...they've had HUGE crowds and not everyone gets in! Sadness!!

Ryan and I went to Fort Wayne for lunch (where the guy at the table next to us recognized us!) and then went to the Coliseum to help set up for the concert. Here I am with my work buds Ron, Sheryl, and Amy!

And here I am with my handsome husband, who worked the concert with me! Look at him in his little lanyard and everything!

There was a pre-jam party that featured 3 artists. The first was Capital Kings...

...and then OBB. (At first I thought it stood for "Old Bekah Boo" but it turns out it's the Oswald Brothers Band.)

And then...ummm...JASON CASTRO!! I remember watching his season of American Idol, and I really liked him because he never got sucked into all the drama and politics of the show. He just did his thing. And he still does...dreads and all. :)

Between the pre-jam and the main jam, we went onstage to make announcements and throw fling rings. Ron did the talking for us. I just threw {like a girl}.

First up in the main jam - Royal Tailor.

Then Jason made an introduction, so I felt compelled to again take his photo. Ryan asked if I liked his hair. Like is a strong term, but it doesn't bother me. Nevertheless, I'll take Ryan just like he is, thankyouverymuch! :)

Newsong was up first...the hosts of Winter Jam. Their song Arise, My Love gives me goose bumps EVERY TIME.

And then darling Jamie Grace took the stage. She is a sweetheart!! So cute and so engaging when she sings. Just wanted to give her a big ole hug!

Sidewalk Prophets were next...and I found out I like more of their songs than I even knew! {You notice it more when they sing them all in a row.}

Disco ball photo!!! :) Turned out pretty cool, I thought.

Then Red came out. Never heard of them before and they scared me to death. Seriously. There was much fire and screaming and the whole thing just scared me.

Matthew West was next...and he sang his Forgiveness song after he told us the story behind it. MAN is it ever powerful. The song is based on the story of a woman whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver. He was sentenced to 22 years behind bars and a few years into his sentence, the woman realized she needed to forgive him...and she ended up going before a judge to appeal for his sentence to be cut in half so he could get a second chance at life. {wow.}

It was a PACKED house. I think the Coliseum seats about 11,000 and it was full. The expo center had several hundred people as an overflow room, and the artists went in there to do a few songs for them, too. Hundreds more didn't get in at all - so sad!!! Hate for people to be disappointed. :(

Oh...um...yeah...during the offering, Jason Castro sang Hallelujah.

The last artist of the night was Toby Mac...

...and he brought sparklers. I love sparklers.

And at the end of the night - CONFETTI!!!

It was a great evening...though a long one! Ryan and I got home at 12:30 in the morning Monday morning...and tried to squeeze in some sleep!!