Danny Gokey on the TobyMac Deep Hits Tour in Portland, OR

Well, first of all, I managed to score seats in the second row, thanks to the diligence of Jan and Danny Gokey News! The site let me know exactly when the tickets went on sale. I’m kinda of a Luddite, though, and I scramble to complete the transaction before the clock runs out. I swear I clicked to get the prepaid parking, but it didn’t go through. So that led to a saga. I’d had a rough week at work the previous week, so when February 17th dawned, I was tired and cranky. And yes, the parking situation turned out to be the nightmare that I feared. But on to more interesting things . . .

Going through the security line, I wished I had brought my good camera. The security person barely looked at my camera. We did have to go through metal detectors. It’s sad but that’s the world we live in. I’d rather everyone be safe. I also got wanded, although I’m not sure why.

As I think Jan noted previously, the setup, aside from the main stage, involved a strip of stage that extended into the audience area on the floor, about to the middle of the arena. I was sitting on the floor, row two, about the middle of the section that was left of center. I really did appreciate that they left sufficient space between rows so that no one felt crowded. It made up a little for the fact that the rows on the floor aren’t elevated, but for someone as vertically-challenged as I am, it wasn’t much help. Toby wasn’t kidding about the “hits,” because I recognized most of the songs — even songs by Finding Favour and Ryan Stevenson, with whom I am not that familiar. Aaron Cole kicked things off on the strip stage mid-venue. And (I hope I’m not mixing this up) Finding Favour was next on the main stage, then Ryan Stevenson appeared on the strip stage. (I do remember Ryan singing “Gospel” on the strip stage. Interesting factoid: Ryan is originally from Oregon. He’s also a former paramedic.)

Next up was Mandisa. I can’t say enough good things about this warm, engaging woman. She has a real charisma and presence about her. And she sure knows how to dance up a storm! It’s very clear that she means everything she sings. Highlights were her hit “Overcomer,” and, for me personally, “Bleed the Same,” a song that really strikes an Continue reading “Recap: Ellen at the Hits Deep Tour with Danny Gokey” →