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It sure sounded good, sounded good last night: Red, White and Boom 2018

  • Writer: ashleynritchie
    ashleynritchie
  • Sep 1, 2018
  • 3 min read

To kick off Labor Day weekend, Scott, Maddox, Alex and I attended the first-ever indoor Red, White and Boom. I put on my boots and we made our way to Rupp Arena (the popular Country music festival changed venues this year from Whitaker Bank Ballpark, home of the Lexington Legends, to home of the Kentucky Wildcats) to hear five country artists, including two headliners, perform some of the best songs in country music.

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The Friday night lineup included:

• Chris Young

• Cole Swindell

• Rodney Atkins

• Morgan Wallen

• Morgan Evans


Our first time at Red, White and Boom was back in 2016 when we saw Florida Georgia Line, Cole Swindell, Jon Pardi and Canaan Smith. It was a special moment because it was the boys' first-ever concert. With the boys now having two country music festivals and a Taylor Swift concert in the books, I am definitely winning when it comes to musical taste — sorry Scott. Photos circa Labor Day 2016 below.

I can tell you in two words why I attend this festival: Cole Swindell. I'm a huge fan — as in he's in my top five favorite artists — and with him just releasing a brand-new album a couple weeks ago, All of It, there was no better time to sing along to all the latest songs. If you love country music check him out. Tracks 3, 5 and 8 (Somebody's Been Drinkin', Break Up in the End and 20 in a Chevy) are a few of my favorites.


Even if I knew you'd be the one that got away I'd still go back and get you Even if I knew you'd be my best and worst mistake Oh, I'd still make it with you Over and over, again and again Even though we break up in the end

I may be biased but I think Cole stole the show last night. His upbeat performance had the audience swayin' to 16 different songs, his connection with the crowd off the charts. And as if his smile wasn't already enough to make me fall in love with him, about midway through the setlist he told fans one of his favorite country artists is Tim McGraw (one of my favorites too, swoon). Then, he sang his own rendition of I Like It, I Love It, arguably the most memorable performance of the evening. He also asked Morgan Wallen back out on stage to help sing Florida Georgia Line's This Is How We Roll.

Did you know the country music festival began in 2004 as a free music event in the parking lot behind Rupp Arena? It was originally part of Lexington's Fourth of July festivities but moved to Labor Day weekend in 2016. The festival has continued to grow since, setting the attendance record of 17,500 last year with headliner Blake Shelton.


Red, White and Boom 2018 is presented by Hardee’s, 98.1 The Bull and the Lexington Legends. Over the course of the three days, country music fans can hear 15 artists with five headliners. Artists performing on Saturday and Sunday include Brad Paisley, Jake Owen, Kane Brown, Chase Rice, Ashley McBryde, Toby Keith, Luke Combs, David Lee Murphy, Tyler Farr and Craig Campbell. Tickets start at just $29.50 and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com.

Now we're off to St. Louis to enjoy the rest of the holiday weekend. Stay tuned for our Missouri adventures! What are your plans for Labor Day weekend?


Take Me Out to the Ball Game: Alex Throws First Pitch at Legends Game

  • Writer: ashleynritchie
    ashleynritchie
  • Aug 28, 2018
  • 2 min read

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Play ball! In baseball, a guest of honor throws the ceremonial first pitch to mark the start of the game. On Monday, August 27, that guest of honor was Alex Andreen. He stepped up to the mound and gave his best effort at throwing a strike before the Lexington Legends took on the Augusta GreenJackets at Whitaker Bank Ballpark.

How exactly did this slugger achieve elite status? By doing what he does best: eating! The Legends staged a waffle eating contest earlier this season and Alex beat his older brother Maddox to claim the grand prize: throwing the first pitch before a game later this year.

His first pitch was indeed a success and the ball was his memento to keep. While he's had quite the lucky streak at Legends games — taking home both a Legends ball and bat, eating free ice-cream for his birthday courtesy of the Lexington Legends Kids Club, and having his fifteen minutes of fame participating in the food frenzy — I'm certain this big-league moment is the one that knocked it out of the park!

But speaking of knocking it out of the park, prior to his big first pitch Big L took a friendly game of catch to another level by knocking Alex in the head with the ball. #FirstPitchFail, whoops!

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No hard feelings though, he got an ice pack and recovered just in time to go head to head against his brother in a flipper race. Yes, they strapped flippers to their feet and high-kneed it to the finish line (video footage below) for some middle of the inning entertainment.


This victory went to Maddox and they both received a SomerSplash pass: a win-win for both boys! After all the excitement, the four of us enjoyed the crack of the bat, hot dogs, and the seventh-inning stretch for the last time this season. Family time really is their game!

The Legends won 18-3 and Blizzard Batter Cal Jones hit a home run, unlocking a free blizzard coupon for every fan in attendance! Way to be a team player, Cal! Immediately following the game the boys made a dash to the dugout to get player autographs on the first pitch ball.


Want to see the Legends in action? Fans still have time to catch a game at Whitaker Bank Ballpark this season:

  • Tuesday, August 28 at 7:05 p.m.

  • Wednesday, August 29 at 1:05 p.m.

  • Thursday, August 30 at 7:05 p.m.

Take me out to the ball game, Take me out with the crowd; Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack, I don't care if I never get back. Let me root, root, root for the Legends, If they don't win, it's a shame. For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out, At the old ball game.

Until next year, Lexington Legends!

A Walk in My Shoes — Styles that Won't Break the Bank

  • Writer: ashleynritchie
    ashleynritchie
  • Aug 23, 2018
  • 1 min read

Boots and loafers and flats, oh my! A girl can never have too many shoes. Yes, I'm a shoe addict — admitting you have a problem is the first step, right? Last weekend I came to the realization that I may have one too many pairs of shoes. So, I frantically went through my closet and threw out the ones I no longer had an emotional attachment to. Afterwards I asked myself, "What would Carrie Bradshaw do?" Then, I obviously bought more shoes.


Take a walk in a few of my new favorite styles, and the best part — they won't break the bank!

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Where to buy: Lulus. Price: $42.00. Sizes: 5.5-10. Also available in black.


Where to buy: American Eagle. Price: $59.95. Sizes: 5-11. *Use code HAPPY25 for 25% off.


Where to buy: Target. Price: $24.99. Sizes: 5-12. Also available in white.


Where to buy: DSW. Price: On sale for $29.98. Sizes 6-10.

Original shoe was Women's Kona Backless Mule Loafers - Merona, no longer available.


"When I want a ridiculously extravagant pair of shoes, I find a way to buy them." -Carrie Bradshaw
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