Kip was opening for Billy Currington in 2012. “Up All Night” and “Truck” had just come out. I knew nothing about Kip. I’m a big fan of Billy’s and made plans to see him on May 5, 2012 at Resorts International in Atlantic City. I bought “Up All Night” so I would know some of Kip’s songs before the show. I was immediately impressed. Fast forward to the show, suffice to say, I was blown away! It was as if he was born to be on that stage. He owned it! The crowd loved him and he was having fun. I’ve been to a lot of concerts and never had I been so impressed with a relatively unknown opening act. When Kip got to the part about the producer man wanting him to wear a rhinestone suit during “Reckless”, I kind of yelled out “Oh Hell NO!” Ooopss! He looked down at me at laughed and I turned red! I look up and Manny (his bass player) is laughing too. (If you don’t know what I mean, try searching YouTube or I can for you, its pretty funny.)
After his set, he was in the back of the room signing autographs. There was a nice size group of people wanting to meet him and just when its my turn, he looks right at me, turns and leaves. I was disappointed. I went back to my spot by the stage and kept talking about how great Kip’s performance was. The friend I was with is an avid Billy fan and wanted to stalk out Billy’s bus after the show. She calls me over and there’s Kip, just standing there. So, I look him in the eye and say “I have a bone to pick with you!” He must have thought I was nuts! He apologized, but had no idea what I was talking about! I told him that I was next to get his autograph and he LEFT! He apologized again and said that they made him go to the other side to sign autographs for people there. We talked for a couple of minutes. He was funny, kind and humble. He signed the photo I bought and we took a picture together. I was hooked! Almost every time I talked to him after that night, we had funny, sarcastic exchanges. He is a great person and an amazing artist. I am so glad I had the opportunity to meet him that night and so glad he was kind enough to chat with me. It led to what I have been doing for him and his fans since.
That meeting is the what got me started promoting him and creating his fan sites (Twitter, FB, Instagram & Youtube, etc.)
Thanks for the opportunity to share my story.