Dan + Shay
with special guest Cassadee Pope
Date: Saturday, September 8, 2018
Time: 7:30 PM
Tickets: INDIVIDUAL: $35.00 / $25.00 | ADA: $35.00 / $25.00
The music blaring from the second-floor stereo speakers was so loud it rattled the third-floor windows, setting off a late-night alarm. It’s happened often enough – at least 30 times in the first two months of 2016 – that everyone working after hours at the Warner Bros. Nashville building collectively knew, “It’s just Dan + Shay.”
The duo – Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney – had literally been obsessing over the song selection for their 2016 sophomore album, Obsessed. After finishing their debut album, Where It All Began, Dan + Shay never stopped writing songs and by the time they seriously thought about a sophomore release they had a Dropbox with more than 80 songs they had already demoed. “At the end of the night we get the board rocking and turn it up and just sit there and listen,” said Dan. Shay added, “We just want it to be Dan + Shay. Whenever you make your own lane and you’re not trying to chase anything else, that’s when and you can truly create.”
Their most enduring song is arguably the first single off Obsessed, “From the Ground Up.” It’s the most personal song Dan + Shay have written together. Dan, who said a great song starts with a powerful lyric, had just returned to Nashville following a heartbreaking trip to home for his grandfather’s funeral. Shay, who recalled it being “a real emotional time,” also lost his grandfather a short time later.
The two friends were recording vocals for another track when they started talking about the love their grandparents had for one another. Both families were married for over 65 years and that kind of long-lasting love is unheard of these days. “When we had those conversations, that’s when we realized that kind of love is the example that we strive for in our own personal relationships,” said Dan, who initially worried it might be too personal before concluding, “That needed to be said in a song.”
“Like the song says, they lived in this tiny, tiny house and lived right up the road from us,” said Shay, who became obsessed with country music because of the stories told, like the one of his grandparents’ relationship. “All they had was each other and us. That was it.”
“From the Ground Up” made an impression on listeners, evident by the fact that, according to Billboard charts, it was the No. 1 most added song at country radio its first week out and ultimately becoming the duo’s second No. 1 single. “It connected to people of all ages,” said Dan, who said its success is exciting and scary, “and you get a little choked up sometimes.” Shay added, “Anyone can relate to it even though it’s a very specific story to us.”
All seats are reserved. Children under the age of 2 do not require a ticket as long as they can sit on a person’s lap.
When purchasing this concert through August 20th, you will receive a free gate admission ticket for entering the fairgrounds.
Beginning August 21st, you will need to purchase gate admission from either the Kansas State Fair or at a Dillons store.
Delivery method is Print-at-Home or Mail.
Please read the confirmation email for additional information after purchasing.