You see, this wasn’t just a spontaneous day out; it was our very first concert secured through VetTix, an organization that gives free and discounted tickets to military and veterans. Utilizing this benefit turned a great concert into a deeply meaningful experience, and we are so grateful for the opportunity it gave us. It inadvertently set the stage for the 57 amazing Concert Nights that have followed (and counting! Hello, Eric Church!). It was the perfect blend of music, love, and adventure, thanks to an amazing organization.
December 2015 might be when we officially tied the knot, but the adventure we now affectionately call our “Concert Nights” truly kicked off five months earlier on July 25, 2015, in Pasadena, California. Standing on the hallowed grounds of the Rose Bowl for Kenny Chesney’s The Big Revival Tour was a landmark moment for us, especially for Gio (Guzman at the time!), who was experiencing his first major stadium concert! But what made the Kenny Chesney Rose Bowl 2015 show truly unforgettable was that it marked the exciting start of our incredible VetTix Journey—a tradition we’ve cherished ever since.
Driving up from San Bernardino to the Rose Bowl is always an adventure, but this day felt different. We were heading to a stadium that Kenny Chesney himself has called a “bucket list” venue—the “Granddaddy of Them All.” We even invited our great friends, Diana Normile and Kelly Bilinski, to share in the excitement, turning the day into a perfect couples’ getaway, filled with laughter and anticipation.
Stadium shows are huge, but the electricity Chesney brought to the legendary Rose Bowl was something else. The crowd—the “No Shoes Nation”—was absolutely massive and totally ready to party.
The air was pure Southern California summer, and Chesney brought the noise with a killer setlist. While a few opening acts warmed up the stage, the main event was pure island-infused country rock that captured the feeling of getting away from it all.
For us, the memories are all tied up in a few key moments from that amazing setlist:
Forget walking onto the stage! The moment Kenny Chesney made his entrance, gliding across the field on a chair attached to a harness, was incredible. He was singing “Drink It Up” as he flew right in front of our seats—Section 5, Row B—heading straight to the stage! It was the perfect opening that let you know this show was going to be massive.
Hearing the crowd sing along to classics like “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems” and “Beer In Mexico”—songs that perfectly captured our budding love for escaping the daily routine and embracing adventure. It felt like the soundtrack to our early dating days.
The rush of hearing the newer hits from the Big Revival album, like “American Kids” and “Til It’s Gone,” really got the whole stadium fired up.
And who could forget Kenny Chesney truly putting on a show that night, even covering AC/DC’s “Whole Lotta Rosie.” That was an unexpected, high-energy blast! You know my camera was out the whole time, trying to capture every moment.
Looking back at this photo from the Rose Bowl, it’s a powerful reminder that this was not just concert number one; it was the start of an important tradition. It paved the way for us to explore fantastic venues, from San Diego up to the Bay Area’s Levi’s Stadium, and of course, our go-to spot, Las Vegas. It was a tangible way to honor service and create shared experiences.
We are thrilled that the Rose Bowl, a venue rich in history, is where our 58-Concert, 30-Venue, 17-Location journey with VetTix began! This was also just the start of our Kenny Chesney stadium runs: after this first one, we’d go on to see him at Levi’s Stadium and twice at SoFi Stadium! The Kenny Chesney Rose Bowl 2015 show definitely set the bar high!
