Piggyback: Verb- carry by or as if by piggyback; Piggybacking: Gerund or Present Participle- mount on or attach to an existing object or system; use existing work or an existing product as a basis or support.
PIGGYBACKING on my previous 2 articles makes a perfect segue for this week’s BBQ write-up! On Saturday, October 11th, we attended the Lainey Wilson “Whirlwind World Tour” Concert at Great Woods AKA the Xfinity Center, in Mansfield, Massachusetts. The outdoor amphitheater originally opened in 1986 as the “Great Woods Center for the Performing Arts,” and has summarily been renamed several times over the years. The amphitheater seats 19,000 patrons. www.mansfieldamp.com writes, “Country Royalty, Lainey Wilson, embarked on a highly anticipated road trip with a stop in Mansfield, MA at the iconic Xfinity Center. The chart climber’s Whirlwind World Tour comes in support of Lainey Wilson’s latest masterpiece. Dropped on August 23rd, 2024, “Whirlwind” is Lainey Wilson’s 5th (and arguably best!!) studio album. The 14-track record was such a hit with fans and critics alike that it was nominated for “Best Country Album” at this year’s Grammy Awards.” Rolling Stone states, “One of Nashville’s most relatable stars delivers a stellar album with Whirlwind,” and Billboard praises, “The album is bold and fun, with Wilson clearly feeling her own strength, delivering songs that are sassy, clever, and occasionally emotional…and thoroughly country—which is no small feat at a time when the genre is blurring lines with pop and rock. The Whirlwind World Tour is a MUST-SEE GIG!”
“Lainey Wilson is creating a whirlwind in the country scene, and her world-wide presence is only getting stronger,” www.mansfieldamp.com continues. “The star has her eyes set on a huge global road trip, and you’re all invited! The Whirlwind World Tour is a nearly 50-date tour that boasts a pool of talented openers across various events. Opening for and playing with Lainey Wilson at the Xfinity Center were Lauren Watkins and Muscadine Bloodline, 2 sensational musical acts. The road trip hits major venues across Europe, Canada, and the US. Now, it’s your chance to taste what all the magic is about with this exciting live show! As always, Lainey Wilson promises and then delivers— giving it her all on stage. Expect to sing your heart out to all of Lainey’s latest hits! Circle your calendars, secure your tickets, and get ready for the performance of the year!” www.jambase.com and www.shazam.com complied copies of Lainey Wilson’s set list for each of her Whirlwind World Tour stops. Laine Wilson’s biggest hit songs include: “Watermelon Moonshine,” “Heart Like A Truck,” Things A Man Oughta Know,” “Wildflowers, Wild Horses,” “4X4XU,” “Smell Like Smoke,” “Wait In The Truck-” featuring Hardy, “Somewhere Over Loredo,” and “Nosedive-” featuring Post Malone, just to name a few. Lainey Wilson’s concert was phenomenal, featuring her powerful vocals and high-energy performance. The Whirlwind World Tour show was full of emotional moments and a myriad of classic connections with the audience. Lainey has a commanding stage presence and is known for her ability to “create a welcoming atmosphere, emit a variety of tones from high-energy anthems to more intimate, stripped-down, acoustic ballads, and for sharing personal stories with her audience.” www.boston.com recapped, “It is no wonder that Lainey Wilson’s show is called ‘Whirlwind,’ because that is exactly what she is. She is a force of nature in sparkles and fringe and she blew through the Xfinity Center with her Whirlwind World Tour actually a bit more like a tornado! She is a showman. Polished as a new penny, with a voice reminiscent of Dolly Parton and a stage presence of someone who’s been doing this for 40 years.”
Lainey Denay Wilson is an Award-Winning American country singer, songwriter and actress. She plays both the guitar and the piano. Moving to Nashville to pursue a career as a country performer, Lainey Wilson has received 9 Country Music Association Awards. She won the Top-Honor of being named Entertainer of the Year in 2023 from the Country Music Association. She has also received a Grammy Award presented by The Recording Academy of the United States; recognizing her outstanding achievements in music; regarded by many as the most prestigious and significant award in the music industry. Her 2024 Grammy Award for the Best Contemporary Country Album was for her album “Bell Bottom Country.” Lainey Wilson has also received 16 Academy of Country Music Awards, the ACMs, honoring the music industry’s accomplishments during the previous year. Lainey Wilson played the character “Abby” on the mega-hit TV show “Yellowstone.” Her character “Abby” was an aspiring country singer who was romantically involved with the cowboy wrangler, “Ryan”- played by Ian Bohen. Lainey’s character “Abby” first appeared in the Season 5 Premiere of “Yellowstone.” Lainey’s character’s arc as “Abby” with “Ryan” was wrapped up in the “Yellowstone” Season Finale, which included her fan-favorite character of “Abby” in a concert scene and Abby and Ryan’s decision to start a new life together. Lainey says, “I have always been a fan of Yellowstone, even from the first season. When I watch shows that have horses and depict that way of life, it makes me feel right at home because I grew up on a farm. As time went on, they put a few of my songs in the show. And then, (series creator) Taylor Sheridan texted me and he was like, ‘Lainey, I’ve got an idea…’ There was no telling what was about to happen, but he said ‘I want to create a character specifically for you. I want you to pretty much be yourself, wear your bell bottoms, sing your own songs, but I want you to play a musician named Abby.’ And without thinking twice, I said ‘COUNT ME IN!’”
As we reviewed in last week’s article, BBQ was a huge component of the TV show Yellowstone. And obviously, BBQ and all of its GLORIOUSNESS is a staple amongst concert-going attendees! What better deliciousness to cart to a concert Tailgate other than BBQ? And what foodstuff is more PERFECT to devour at a Lainey Wilson Concert besides BBQ? NONE! Thus, we pre-ordered 5 BBQ dinners and a plethora of scrumptious side dishes from Great Northern BBQ, in Providence, RI and picked them up on our way to travel to and revel in a Rip-Roaring and Delectable Tailgate and to rejoice in some Awesome-Sauce LIVE country music! We delved into juicy, succulent, and brimming with flavor brisket. We dined on tender, rich, and smoky pulled pork. Our Tailgate side dishes of Mac-N-Cheese, Baked Beans, Tangy Coleslaw, Whipped Mashed Potatoes, melt-in-your-mouth delectable Honey Cornbread, and snackable Smoked Chicken Wings were luscious, tasty, and flavorsome. As you view the tantalizing Great Northern BBQ Co. food photos below, you can just imagine the piquant and pleasing aromatic BBQ we were fortunate enough to have savored!
If you prefer to BBQ on location for your Tailgate, there are many available options for portable grills which are designed to be foldable, lightweight and easy to transport. Here are some highly rated and “Best-Selling” portable grill options to consider:
–The Cuisinart 2-in-1 Indoor and Outdoor Electric Griddle: “The perfect cooking solution for any setting, whether you’re cooking dinner or Tailgate snacks, it is designed for versatility and convenience and this compact griddle assembles in under 10 minutes, allowing you to get started cooking with ease. The powerful 120V heating element heats the non-stick surface to over 550 degrees F providing the high temperatures needed for searing. With 240” sq cooking space you can prepare anything from pancakes and bacon to stir-fry and grilled sandwiches. The 5 adjustable heat settings allow you to fine-tune the temperature for various dishes. The grease management system keeps your cooking area clean by directing drippings into the collection cup below.” Sold at Williams Sonoma for $159.95 www.williams-sonoma.com
–The Kenmore 2-Burner Portable Tabletop Retro Gas Grill: “Elevate your outdoor cooking experience with the new Kenmore 2-Burner Portable Tabletop Retro Gas Grill; This 2-burner small propane gas grill is designed for on-the-go grilling excellence, boasting a generous 343 square inches of BBQ grilling surface- perfect for sizzling up to 12 burgers at once. With its sleek retro design and tabletop versatility, this propane grill not only delivers style but also functionality. Equipped with flamethrower ignition and a warming rack, the Kenmore 2-burner portable grill offers a total of 14,000 BTUs of cooking power. The portable Kenmore gas grill’s compact size and side handles make it an ideal companion for camping, glamping, tailgating, picnics, outdoor adventures, and BBQs on the go! Experience the convenience of quick and efficient BBQ grilling wherever your journey takes you!” Sold at Wayfair for $185.49 www.wayfair.com
–Green Pan 2-in-1 Portable Indoor-Outdoor Electric Grill with Griddle Plate: “Indoor or Outdoor. Grill or Griddle. Stand or Tabletop. The Green Pan 2-in-1 portable electric grill delivers it all, becoming your go-to for more home-cooked deliciousness- and a welcoming alternative to meal deliveries. Whether you’re hosting a BBQ in the backyard or an Away Tailgate, the grill adapts faster than you can say, ‘Flip those burgers!’ Its indoor/outdoor versatility means you’ll savor grilled-to-perfection steaks during a patio party without worrying about unpredictable weather. And, when the road calls, simply pack it into your vehicle for gourmet meals on your next adventure!” Sold at www.qvc.com for $209.00, now on sale for $149.99
