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Chris O’Kelley

Do You Remember The Kicks 99 Guitar Pull Camp Out?

Author Chris O'Kelley

As we get closer and closer to the 2023 Kicks 99 Guitar Pull, we are having some fun looking back on our favorite memories.  Do you remember the Guitar Pull Camp Out?  We sure do.

Back in the day, people would camp out in front of the venue where Guitar Pull was being held.  This tradition started the first year we moved to The Convocation Center at The University Of South Carolina Aiken.

This tradition started small in the first few years in Aiken.  People would show up on Friday and some early Saturday morning.  It wasn’t until Guitar Pull was moved to the James Brown Arena that camping out really became big.    We would even take dinner down to the campers at night.  There were years when the camping out would last a week or more.

Do you remember the free concert the night before Guitar Pull Tickets went on sale?  It was called the “Parking Lot Party.”  Over the few years of that show, we had Runaway June, Rodney Atkins, Craig Campbell, and others.

When Did It Really Blow Up?

Then there was the year where “Glamping” became a thing.  Joe and Cindy Papalski and Richard and Donna Beam and their crew became “Glampers.”  What is Glamping you ask?  It’s just upscale camping.  These guys took it to a whole new level.  A big tent with lots of tents inside to make bedrooms.

This Is What "Glamping Looks Like

The Tradition Know as Glamping Became A Thing In This Massive Tent

Now, this is the outside view on the plaza at The James Brown Arena.  As you will see in the photos to come, the inside of this was a home away from home.  They brought a grill, food for the week, TV and a satellite, a full bar, and even a restroom.  Yes, a restroom.  The local TV stations would come down and do stories on “The Glampers.”  There we many nights of the camp out where we would go down and visit and hang out for dinner or breakfast.

These folks did some serious prep work for this party.  The first year they camped out was around 2005 with just a 10×10 tent, a blow up mattress and woke up to a flat mattress. And then “Glamping” at The James Brown Arena became a thing.

Cindy told us, “My fondest memories are the people we friended and are still friends, the food we cooked and shared (steak, lobster, shrimp, pulled pork, and everything Rick cooked for breakfast.) Shot time was a popular afternoon and night tradition along with karaoke at her tent.”

So from the great food, the live music, the friendships made, the Kicks 99 Guitar Pull Camp Out was a big time.

Photos From Guitar Pull Camp Outs

Brett Young - How His First Time At A Kicks 99 Guitar Pull Almost Didn't Happen

When it comes to the Kicks 99 Guitar Pull, there are so many memories that we can share.  The behind-the-scenes stuff is the best.  Guitar Pull, November 14, 2017.  Brett Young was on the show and this was the first time he played Guitar Pull. “In Case You Didn’t Know” had just gone number back in June and Brett’s career was on fire.

It almost didn’t happen.  I received a phone call at 5:30 that morning from Brett’s record label saying Brett was sick and not sure if he could play tonight.  They were on the way to the airport and once they got to Augusta, they needed to see a doctor.  Once the sun came up, a few phone calls were made and we got Brett in to see Doctor Luke.   After a steroid shot, an IV, and some antibiotics Brett was sent to go rest in his hotel room.

Brett did not want to cancel this show. He was determined to play.  Brett arrived at The James Brown Arena around 4 that day to do his sound check.  This is when he was going to decide if he would be able to play the show and if his treatment worked.

It worked, or at least Brett said it did and he played the show and no one knew anything different.  Brett sounded like a million dollars that night! Oh, by the way, Doctor Luke sat on the front row for that show. And to this day, they are still friends.

The 2017 Guitar Pull

That year had a lot of memories and fun times that night. If you were there, you will remember it was the night Kicks 99 Guitar Pull went till almost midnight.  The stars of the show that year had, let’s say, a few to drink and they were having fun and wanted everyone else to have fun.  It was 5 minutes till midnight and I was the one who asked Dub to go up and end the show.  I think they could have played all night.

The best line of the night, when Dub came off the stage to end the show, a listener yelled, “Why did you stop the show?”  Dub said, “Because in 5 minutes it will be tomorrow.”  Now that was a Guitar Pull to remember!

The Line Up That Year In Case You Forgot

  • Darius Rucker
  • Jake Owen
  • Lee Brice
  • Big N Rich
  • Randy Houser
  • Brett Young

  • Sleep With Out You

    This is the song that introduced us to Brett Young. He wrote this song after being home with his parents. His mom and gone out with family, and he wouldn’t go to sleep till she was home.

  • In Case You Didn't Know

    This is Brett’s biggest song to date in career.  This song has sold over 3 million copies and played in countless weddings.

 

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Author Chris O'Kelley
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