LAWRENCE TWP. − Tears filled the eyes of Traci Difloure as she explained what Rascal Flatts’ music means to her.
Difloure, 59, of Louisville, said her late daughter, Brittany Wheeler, was a devoted fan of the country music stars. Two of the band’s songs were played at Wheeler’s funeral service when she died at age 37 about six years ago.
Wheeler’s 21-year-old son, Quayln Gipe of Louisville also was with Traci Difloure and her husband, Bill Difloure on Aug. 14 at the Neon Nights Country Music Festival. Their bodies were pressed against the stage for the closest view possible moments before the country music hitmakers would take the stage at Clay’s Resort Jellystone Park.
“We want to meet them,” Traci Difloure said of Rascal Flatts.
Asked what it would mean, her eyes moistened with emotion. “Oh, my gosh, it would mean everything.”
The trio was among thousands of fans who packed the amphitheater space at Clay’s Resort on the first day of the festival, which resumes at 4 p.m. Aug. 15 with Neal McCoy, followed by Terri Clark and Craig Morgan before headliner Billy Currington performs at 9:15 p.m.
For Rascal Flatts, whose hit songs span recent decades, it was a homecoming. Lead singer Gary LeVox celebrated the band’s Ohio roots by wearing an Ohio State Buckeyes T-shirt.
He repeatedly praised the state, telling fans it was great to be back home in “Buckeye Nation.”
Rascal Flatts started with pep, including the songs “Fast Cars and Freedom,” “Stand” and a cover of “The Boys Are Back in Town.”
LeVox’s stratospheric vocal range and the band’s trademark harmonies were fully intact, accompanied by sizzling guitar playing and a punch of percussion.
Rascal Flatts were a climactic close to the day, which began with country music stalwarts Darryl Worley, Shenandoah and Joe Nichols. Crowds grew bigger with each act before swelling to more than 10,000 for the headliner.
Earlier in the day, the mood on the grounds was just as joyous, whether it be drinking games in the parking lot or fans dancing during Shenandoah’s second slot.
Partying was also commonplace. After all, Neon Nights is an offshoot of The Country Fest, which happened earlier in the summer. Country Fest draws bigger and newer acts while Neon Nights caters to an older audience and showcases artists whose songs date to as early as the ’80s.
This summer’s Neon Nights festival returned to a purely country lineup. Classic rock was mixed into the festival the last two years.
Here’s a look at what else was happening at Neon Nights and why fans say it’s a summertime ritutal.
Neon Nights had plenty of younger fans
Cayden Scale, 20, and Emma Yoder, 20, both of Wooster, said despite their ages they appreciate older bands like Rascal Flatts.
Their classic country street cred was proven as they jammed a vintage Alan Jackson song from their pickup truck.
Also in their group were Collin Fraelich, 22, of Lawrence Township, and Kendall Reichard, 21, of Lawrence Township.
“It’s part of my hometown,” Fraelich said of Neon Nights. “I love music. I personally play a lot of instruments, and seeing (music) live means something to me.
“With AI, people are making something that’s fake,” he said. “But seeing something real right in front of your face and actually feeling it and seeing every chord they play and seeing it unravel in your face is very special.”
Reichard said her parents first brought her to The Country Fest when she was a toddler.
“I was pulled up on stage by Jake Owen and Miranda Lambert,” she said with a smile, noting she was around age 7 at the time.
“Rascal Flatts and Billy Currington … are going to be like a childhood memory come to life,” Reichard said.
Another one of their friends, Anthony Logan, 23, of Navarre, said he was attending Neon Nights for the first time.
“I personally don’t really like country music,” he admitted with a grin between sips of Yuengling beer. “But Clay’s Park and Country Fest put on a good show. It’s a good environment and it’s friendly.”
Concert besties
Pamela Simpson, 63, of North Canton, and Angella Rose, 51, of Coventry Township, are concert companions.
They’ve attended about 50 concerts this year. But often they win tickets from radio station contests.
Perusing the internet and listening to the radio for concert ticket giveaways is part of Simpson’s morning routine. Rose takes a similar approach.
Nosebleed seats or in the pit, it doesn’t matter. Live music is the point. Not strictly country, either. Pop, rock, classical, they love it all. From rapper and hip-hop artist Pitbull to rock band the Foo Fighters.
Rose and Simpson met each other at a Kip Moore concert. They are both insurance agents − Simpson works on contract for Aflac and Rose is an independent agent.
“You never know when a show is going to be your last one,” Rose said. “… Tomorrow is not promised.”
Mother and son bond through music
Becca Berry, 44, of Wooster, and her son, Hayden Berry, 22, staked out a good viewing spot just behind the pit.
Mom smiled at her son while Shenandoah played the song, “Mama Knows.”
“It’s called intuition,” the nurse said of parenting.
Touching her hand against her chest, she explained the power of music. “It’s camaraderie,” she said of Neon Nights. “My dad died last year, and I want to spend more and more time with my kid and my husband.”
“I love my country, I love my family and I love my God,” she said. “It’s God, country and family. We have gotten away from that as a country.”
Big fan of Shenandoah
Travis Swiger, 43, of Massillon, was moved by the music of Shenandoah.
During songs, he swayed and spread his arms and sang along. Wearing a hat autographed by one of the band members, Swiger said the music “just hits home so much.”
Shenandoah was on his bucket list. The truck driver first saw them perform in Iowa.
Music is a passion shared with his wife. Their first date was watching a concert at the Dusty Armadillo in Rootstown.
They’ve seen more than 100 concerts together. “We just love country music in general,” Swiger said.
Reach Ed at ed.balint@cantonrep.com. Follow on Instagram at ed_balint and TikTok @edwardbalint
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Neon Nights kicks off with Rascal Flatts at Clay’s Resort Jellystone Park
Reporting by Ed Balint, Canton Repository / The Repository
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Ed Balint, Canton Repository | USA TODAY Network
