How I spent my Day of Rage on Friday the 13th

By Rory Ryan
The Highland County Press

PARIS – Yesterday was Friday the 13th, and it coincided with an announced and much-hyped call for a global Day of Rage.

The so-called Day of Rage reminded me of William Shakespeare's quote about life from Macbeth: “Life's but a walking shadow; a poor player, that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more: it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”

So, like any other Friday, I got up and went to Needfull, suburban Needfull and points west.

Later that morning, I exchanged pleasantries with legal eagle and county prosecutor Anneka P. Collins over some literary matter which she brought to my attention. Something about an English teacher, JFK and a portal to 1958. But I digress.

Then, it was off to Paris for dinner and drinks at the famous Bourbon Barrel Bar and Grill. This was a prelude to the inaugural SHOWdown Lex. Both stops were part of the monthlong recognition and celebration of a milestone birthday that my better half may or may not wish to disclose.

The celebration thus far has included: 

• One dog (purchased from the Yoder family in Sinking Spring a few years ago and meant to be more than ample reward for all subsequent birthdays);

• One late-summer beach vacation;

• One new car purchased from Jerry Haag Motors; and

• A Day of Rage concert featuring four bands around artists Halfway to Hazard, Ashley Cooke, Ashley McBryde and headliner Darius Rucker at Rolex Stadium in the Kentucky Horse Park. 

(Oh, about that dinner in Paris. Perhaps I may have mentioned it was in Paris, Ky. Not the other one.)

For full disclosure, when our tickets were ordered 10 months ago, there was zero thought that a terrorist group would be calling for this Day of Rage on Friday, Oct. 13. There also was no thought of the terrorist attacks on our longtime ally Israel on Oct. 7.

Throughout Thursday, Oct. 12 and Friday, Oct. 13, almost every national news report included something about avoiding crowds on Oct. 13. I try to avoid crowds every day, so it's an easy assignment for me. Except on Friday the 13th.

Local, state and federal law enforcement said that although there were no specific threats, they were increasing their visibility Friday out of an abundance of caution. They most certainly did that inside and outside of Rolex Stadium.

Whatever concerns I had prior to the concert soon almost entirely disappeared. Almost. Fans had to enter through metal detectors. Well, most did. 

Our "tickets" were a bar code on Pam's cell phone. This had to be read by the stadium security's phone in order to be activated. After several failed attempts by multiple staffers, Pam and I stepped aside for more attempts. Eventually, the bar code was read and approved and we were in like Flynn – except we were not scanned for any weapons or contraband. (Maybe I could have ... never mind.) 

Along with thousands of our closest friends, we enjoyed a wonderful evening of great weather and music, very enthusiastic entertainers and more law enforcement than awaited Jake and Elwood at the Palace Hotel Ballroom in their 1980 musical-comedy classic. In fact, we met a few new friends, including a young couple named Andre and Andrea from Dayton – by way of Chicago. All in all, it was a great crowd and a great night that even this curmudgeonly scribe couldn't help but enjoy.

With one brief exception, the artists stuck to their music, made some references to the UK/Missouri homecoming football game on Saturday, and avoided the proposed threats by a terrorist group and enemy of the people. During her set, Ashley McBryde made it a point to thank all the law enforcement and first responders in attendance so the concert could go on as planned.

The event was the first in a series of shows planned to take place annually on the Friday before a major University of Kentucky football home game. SHOWdown Lex will pair fans’ passions for college football and live music. It also was a local fundraiser, as $2 from every ticket sold will be donated to the Kentucky Children’s Hospital. 

All musicians played great sets, with three-time Grammy Award-winner Darius Rucker capping off the evening before midnight. Rucker played new songs mixed with some prior Hootie & the Blowfish hits such as "Let Her Cry," "Hold My Hand" and "Only Wanna Be With You." He also played "Pink Houses" by John Mellencamp before moving on to his more recent hits like "Wagon Wheel," "Don't Think I Don't Think about It," "Alright" and "Beers and Sunshine."

Rucker is a lifelong philanthropist and has raised more than $3 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through his annual Darius & Friends benefit concert and golf tournament.

Additionally, Rucker was named earlier this year as one of the honorees at Musicians On Call Millions of Moments at the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville for more than a decade of support for the organization.

Musicians On Call (MOC) brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients, families and caregivers in healthcare environments.

According to MusicRow Magazine's Lorie Hollabaugh, "Rucker was recognized by actor, singer/songwriter and MOC Board member Charles Esten as he received the Music Heals Golden Ukulele for performing at the bedsides and virtually for adult and pediatric patients, veterans and hospital staff. He was treated to a special congratulatory video filled with messages of thanks from the many facilities where he has volunteered."

"I can’t tell you what it’s like to go into a hospital and play for someone who’s sick, and for their family," Rucker said at the January 2023 ceremony. "To see their faces and how you’ve given them a brief moment to not think about all that’s going on in their lives. To give them a moment to feel happy and feel love, that means a lot to me.” 

Our so-called Day of Rage ended with Rucker's great music and grateful attitude on the next-to-last show of his Starting Fires Tour, which ends Oct. 14 in Nashville.

Thanks to all the artists, Rolex Stadium staff and law enforcement personnel for a wonderful evening. For more information, visit https://showdownlex.com.

Happy Birthday, Pam.

Rory Ryan is publisher and owner of The Highland County Press, Highland County's only locally owned and operated newspaper.