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The Headliner is Here (9:06pm):

Kenny Chesney is performing on the HullabaLOU stage right now, and he's definitely worth the wait. "We're so proud to be back in Louisville," he told the crowd. "Thank you for having us!" There's a full moon in the background and a constant breeze blowing across the track. Think I'll "sit right here and have another beer" at Churchill Downs while watching Kenny. 

Countdown to Kenny (8:40pm):

Time Check: 6:00 p.m. The Kenny Chesney tailgating fans have to be among the friendliest guests at HullabaLOU, and I’m not the only one who experienced the phenomena. Chris-Rachel Oseland, of Louisville.com, said she spent much of the first part of the day in Lot 10 hanging with the amiable crew. “They were super friendly,” she said. Each and every one “offered me shots or beer or both. They almost always offered me food, too.”

Kenny’s supporters came from all over, including Michigan, Washington and New Jersey. “The thing that really struck me was I kept asking people why they were tailgating instead of coming in(side the festival),” Oseland told me. “They said this was a social experience for them.” Eventually, as the sun began to set, the crooner’s fans have thought better and started to meander inside the gates.

Time Check: 6:30 p.m. The marketplace has a really solid offering of art, jewelry and clothing from various venues, including Celia’s from the Mellwood Art Center. After cooling off at one of the WaveNation Chillzones, I tried a salty margarita ($6) and snuck a few bites from a pal’s chicken nachos from Salsarita ($7). I love the “crowd control.” Heard a fella loudly utter something rather disparaging, and everyone within earshot stopped, stared at him and without a rude word or violent gesture tossed his way (though he certainly asked for it), the guy got the message: those sort of shenanigans are not welcome here at HullabaLOU. Positive peer pressure at its best.

Time Check: 7:10 p.m. Forget warming up the Kenny Chesney crowd. Jason Aldean is rocking his own on the HullabaLOU Stage. “Why”? Because “The Truth” is he’s just that darn good. “First off, I wanna thank y’all for sitting out here in the heat,” he told the screaming crowd before launching into his next song.

Time Check: 7:15 p.m. Ricky Skaggs is rocking the Bluegrass Stage with his 56-year-old “Country Boy” self! It’s so amazing to see the 14-time Grammy winning Kentucky native play the paddock. He’s as incredible as he’s ever been.

Time Check: 7:20 p.m. The Reverend Al Green has made at least a handful of female fans shed a few tears tonight, and Huey Louis is proving it’s “Hip to be Square.” Back out in the field before today’s main event begins. I’m bound and determined to locate the turkey leg stand.

Post from in the field (5:24pm):

At Kroger Stage, which is filling up with Michael McDonald's fans. The Grammy-winning crooner "Yah Mo B" right here at HullabaLOU. Meatloaf from Big Momma's and Michael McDonald? I'm takin' my jubilance to the streets (they're virtual streets, but whatever).

Inside the Media Center (3:57pm)

Still can’t get the image of the open-mouthed fella in the Primus tee who stood in the front row completely entranced while watching Brigid Kaelin play on the Bluegrass Stage. I spoke with the auburn-haired performer, who was thrilled to have been a part of HullabaLOU. (I’ll post a bit more about Brigid in a little while.)

Just said hello to Peter Searcy. The talented Louisville-based musician and music writer Jeffrey Lee Puckett are heading to the Fleur de Lis Stage to watch War for a bit.

Ben Folds just took time to talk with the media on the 6th floor. He steps on the Budweiser Stage at 4:15 p.m. Heading there next.

If you’re still on your way, just drive carefully once you hit the parking lots. There is a pretty impressive number of tailgating Kenny Chesney fans camped out.

Brigid, Ben, and a HullaBREEZE (12:00pm):

I’m making the Budweiser Stage my first stop today — once I check the stuff I don’t want to schlep around at the Bag Valet — to see Brigid Kaelin at 1:45 p.m. The Louisville native is as multifaceted performer who plays the piano, accordion AND the musical saw. She’s also killer when it comes to mixing humor with her songs. Then, I’m heading to the Fleur de Lis Stage to check out one of my favorite musicians, Ben Sollee at 2:45 p.m. Never seen Ben in concert? Put him on your must-do list. I promise you won’t be disappointed. Now off to find a HullaBREEZE to sip while I walk around the marketplace…