Author name: Jaclyn Duske

Wynonna Judd | Martina McBride | Little Big Town The Judds: The Final Tour | Vibrant Arena at The MARK | Moline IL, 61265 | February 10th, 2023 at 7:30 pm Wynonna Judd at the Vibrant Arena at the MARK, Moline, IL, 2023 The energy was electrifying as fans entered the Vibrant Arena, anticipating Martina McBride and Wynonna Judd. The crowd settled into their seats, awaiting McBride’s entrance to the stage. Throughout her 45-minute set, she sang many of her hits, such as “Independence Day,” “My Baby Loves Me,” and “This One’s for the Girls.” Martina McBride at the Vibrant Arena at the MARK, Moline, IL, 2023 After McBride’s set, the crowd waited patiently for Wynonna Judd to take the stage. The lights began to dim as Judd walked out to center stage. She opened the show with “Had a Dream,” which is an Elvis Presley cover. For her third song of her set, she welcomed to the stage Martina McBride and Little Big Town to sing along to her hit “Girls Night Out.” Throughout her set, she sang many hits from her solo career and her career with her mother, Naomi Judd, which includes “River of Time,” “I Saw the Light,” “No One Else on Earth,” and “Guardian Angel.” By her 16th song in her 21-song set, she brought back to the stage Little Big Town to sing along to a few more songs. Wynonna Judd at the Vibrant Arena at the MARK, Moline, IL, 2023 During her set, there were 2 short breaks to play tribute videos to Naomi Judd, showing both personal and professional photos and videos of her life and career. In April of 2022, Naomi passed the day before The Judds induction to the Country Music Hall of Fame. The Judds were set to go on their final tour, which was almost cancelled after Naomi’s passing. After discussing with some of her close friends, she decided to continue with the tour to honor her mother and invited along some of her friends to perform with her. The videos touched the audience and left many of them with tears in their eyes. Martina McBride at the Vibrant Arena at the MARK, Moline, IL, 2023 Wynonna Judd at the Vibrant Arena at the MARK, Moline, IL, 2023 To close out her set, Wynonna sang the song her and her mother would close every show with, which is “Love Can Build a Bridge.” She was accompanied by Martina McBride and Little Big Town, who all stayed off to the sides. They were brought to the stage to support her through a difficult song. When she reached the first chorus of the song, which is where her mother would come in and harmonize with her, a video appeared behind her. It was an overlay of her mother singing with her, and her audio was played along, so Wynonna could sing with her mother. By the second chorus, McBride and Little Big Town joined in and harmonized with her. As the song came to a close, a video of Wynonna and Naomi played, showing how much Naomi loved performing with her daughter. Martina McBride at the Vibrant Arena at the MARK, Moline, IL, 2023 After such a heartfelt performance, Wynonna left the stage and returned later to kick off her encore with “Mama He’s Crazy.” She then went into “Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout the God Old Days)” and concluded her encore with “Why Not Me,” where she brought back Martina McBride and Little Big Town to help close out her show. This concert was full of heartfelt emotion, and I am so thankful I was able to capture so many amazing moments. Wynonna Judd at the Vibrant Arena at the MARK, Moline, IL, 2023 For more information on Wynonna Judd and Martina McBride, please visit:   Wynonna Judd- https://www.wynonna.com/ The Judds- https://www.thejudds.com/ Martina McBride- http://www.martinamcbride.com/ Vibrant Arena at the MARK- https://www.vibrantarena.com/ Additional Images: Martina McBride at the Vibrant Arena at the MARK, Moline, IL, 2023 Wynonna Judd (via smartphone) at the Vibrant Arena at the MARK, Moline, IL, 2023 Wynonna Judd at the Vibrant Arena at the MARK, Moline, IL, 2023 Photographs and writings by Jaclyn Duske 

Scotty McCreery | Catie Offerman Rialto Square Theatre | Joliet, IL 60432 | January 27th, 2023 at 8 pm Scotty McCreery at the Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet, IL, 2023 Excitement was buzzing in the air as fans lined up outside of the Rialto Square Theatre waiting to enter for Scotty McCreery’s show. The sold-out crowd began to settle as opener Catie Offerman took the stage to kick off the night of music. Offerman won over the crowd with her Texas charm and quick wit as she sang some of her original songs such as “Get a Dog, “Don’t Do It in Texas,” “Taking Chances,” and “Til I see You Again.” She is seen to be a female George Strait, with her vulnerability and her lighthearted nature. Catie Offerman at the Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet, IL, 2023 After a brief intermission, the lights dimmed, revealing a silhouette of McCreery and his guitar. He opened his set with his 2018 fan favorite “In Between.” The audience roared with applause as he sang some of his hits including “See You Tonight,” “It Matters to Her,” “You Time,” and “The Trouble with Girls.” Throughout his set he sang many covers, ranging from Brooks and Dunn, George Strait, and John Michael Montgomery. At his fifth song of his set, McCreery shared a heartfelt story about his wife Gabi. He claimed the best day if his life was his first day of kindergarten in 1998, where he first met Gabi. He claimed he never believed in love at first sight until kindergarten. Throughout his set he shared other stories about him and Gabi, including the day that led them to say, “I Do.” McCreery wrote a song titled “This is It,” in which he shared it with her when he proposed and was later played at their wedding. His performance of the song moved the audience to tears, seeing the greater meaning of the song. Scotty McCreery at the Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet, IL, 2023 Catie Offerman at the Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet, IL, 2023 He spent some time reminiscing on his youth, where he went to his first concert, which was George Strait, to whom he has been compared to. Ever since seeing George Strait, his dream began to fill his own venue where people would come see him perform, which is exactly what happened that night. He claimed that his favorite song of his just might be the one inspired by Strait, titled “Damn Strait.” His set was a total of 15 songs with an encore, which ended in his big hit “Five More Minutes.” Just as things were starting to wrap up, McCreery asked the audience if they were done, which they replied with a roar. He continued to perform covers such as Randy Travis’ “Forever and Ever, Amen” and Alan Jackson’s “Chattahoochee.” McCreery captivated the audience from start to finish with his stories and heartfelt songs, rather than a concert with a lot of extra flares. This was a great concert to be able to cover and I am thankful for my opportunity to photograph it. Scotty McCreery at the Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet, IL, 2023 For additional information on Scotty McCreery, Catie Offerman, and live music at the Rialto Square Theatre, please visit:   Scotty McCreery- https://www.scottymccreery.com/ Catie Offerman- https://www.catieofferman.com/ Rialto Square Theatre- https://rialtosquare.com/ Additional Images:  Scotty McCreery at the Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet, IL, 2023 Scotty McCreery at the Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet, IL, 2023 Scotty McCreery at the Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet, IL, 2023 Photographs and writing by Jaclyn Duske 

Cody Johnson | Randy Houser | Randall King NOW Arena | Hoffman Estates, IL 60192 | November 11th, 2022 Cody Johnson at the NOW Arena, Hoffman Estates, IL, 2022 Cody Johnson brought his Cowboy Country music to the NOW arena in Hoffman Estates, IL on Friday, November 11th. With a sold-out show of over 10,000 fans, the arena was packed from start to finish. Johnson was accompanied by both Randall King and Randy Houser, which helped bring out the true country music sound. Randall King at the NOW Arena, Hoffman Estates, IL, 2022 Randall King sang many of his songs including “You in a Honkey Tonk” and “Hey Cowgirl.” He had fans on their feet singing along before it was time for Randy Houser to take the stage. Houser’s performance did not disappoint at all. The crowd sang along as he performed many of his hits such as “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight” and “How Country Feels.” This proved his earlier statement in his performance where he said that real country music is still alive and well. Houser moved across the stage with passion and energy, which kept the audience engaged. It was later revealed in Johnson’s set that Houser was suffering with two broken ribs, which had the crowd shocked. Randy Houser at the NOW Arena, Hoffman Estates, IL, 2022 Once Cody Johnson took the stage, the crowd erupted in applause. The CoJo Nation had shown up in full force singing along to the opening words of “Honkey Tonk Hardwood Floors” and “Ride With Me.” He had the crowd dancing along with him as he sang “Dance Her Home” and “Me and My Kind.” The crowd was on their feet from the start of his set all the way to the end, singing every song with him. A crowd favorite was “Long Haired Country Boy,” which was originally recorded by The Charlie Daniels Band. The crowd was full of cell phone lights while he performed “Nothin’ on You” and “With You I Am.” Johnson captured the audience’s attention when he sang “Dear Rodeo,” which he wrote about his time in the rodeo. Cody Johnson at the NOW Arena, Hoffman Estates, IL, 2022 Cody Johnson at the NOW Arena, Hoffman Estates, IL, 2022 Halfway through his set he took the time to honor all veterans, police officers, firefighters, and nurses in the audience, stating that we would not be here without them. He proceeded his discussion with how many people have told him that he should not be honoring police officers after the incidents in 2020, to which he responded that without these men and women, we would not have the ability to have our freedom and our own opinions. He continued by stating that his beliefs are quite different than most of the audience, but without the men and women who fight for our freedom, we wouldn’t be able to have these opinions. This was a very powerful point in the show that made many people stop and really think. Johnson concluded his 90-minute performance by singing his recent release “Human” and his No. 1 song “Til You Can’t,” which recently won CMA Music Video of the Year and Single of the Year. His traditional country sound brought fans of all ages to his show. This show is what country music has been missing for a long time and will be a difficult act to beat. Cody Johnson Band at the NOW Arena, Hoffman Estates, IL, 2022 For additional information on Cody Johnson, Randy Houser, Randall King, and events at the NOW Arena, please visit:   Cody Johnson- https://www.codyjohnsonmusic.com/ Randy Houser- https://www.randyhouser.com/ Randall King- https://www.randallkingmusic.com/ NOW Arena- https://www.nowarena.com/ Additional Images: Randy Houser at the NOW Arena, Hoffman Estates, IL, 2022 Cody Johnson at the NOW Arena, Hoffman Estates, IL, 2022 Randall King at the NOW Arena, Hoffman Estates, IL, 2022 Cody Johnson with Band at the NOW Arena, Hoffman Estates, IL, 2022 Photographs and writing by Jaclyn Duske

Luke Bryan | Riley Green | Mitchell Tenpenny Raised Up Right Tour | Hollywood Casino Amphitheater | Tinley Park, IL, 60477 | September 10th, 2022 Luke Bryan at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheater, Tinley Park, IL, 2022 Luke Bryan’s Raised Up Right tour brought in fans of all ages and sold out the 28k seat Hollywood Casino Amphitheater. Bryan is not only an outstanding performer, but also the owner of his Nashville restaurant Luke’s 32 Bridge, 32 Bridge Entertainment, and a judge on American Idol. Mitchell Tenpenny at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheater, Tinley Park, IL, 2022 The night kicked off with Mitchell Tenpenny, who just received his 3rd #1 hit with his song “Truth About You.” He sang many of his other hits, such as “Alcohol You Later” and his duet with Chris Young “At the End of a Bar.” Tenpenny closed out his set with a cover of “Ole Red,” “Iris,” and his first #1 song “Drunk Me.” He brought a great energy to the crowd and utilized the stage to connect with his fans. Riley Green at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheater, Tinley Park, IL, 2022 The next artist to hit the stage was Riley Green. He opened with “Different Round Here,” which was followed with “If It Wasn’t for Trucks.” He performed many of his hits, which included his recent duet with Thomas Rhett “Half of Me.” When it was time to perform “I Wish Grandpas Never Died,” the whole crowd held their phones high and lit up the theater. His first cover song of the night was Toby Keith’s “Should Have Been a Cowboy,” which had the whole crowd engaged and singing along. Green closed the night with his first smash hit “There Was This Girl.” Prior to this show, Green was announced as an opener for Luke Comb’s world tour and his performance was one that his fans will cherish. Luke Bryan’s guitarist, Michael Carter, at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheater, Tinley Park, IL, 2022 Luke Bryan at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheater, Tinley Park, IL, 2022 The lights dimmed and the 28k crowd came to life as Luke took the stage opening with “I Don’t Want This Night to End.” He moved around the stage with ease covering all areas. He sang some of his hits off his latest album “Born Here Love Here Die Here,” such as “Knockin’ Boots” and “One Margarita.” He later sung his newest release “Country On.” Bryan followed with “What Makes You Country” before he slowed things down with his song “Most People Are Good.” He followed with his hit duet with Jordan Davis “Buy Dirt” before bringing out a piano and performing “Strip it Down” and “Do I.” Mitchell Tenpenny was then called to the stage to perform a few covers, one of which was “Good Directions,” which was written by Bryan for Billy Currington. After Tenpenny exited the stage, Riley Green came out to perform a few covers as well, which included “Sweet Home Chicago.” Bryan then went into “Drink a Beer” solo, to which the crowd again raised their phones and lit up the theater. He closed out his 27-song set with “That’s My Kind of Night” and “Country Girl,” which left fans wanting more. This concert was packed with energy from the start to finish with a very strong and talented lineup. Mitchell Tenpenny at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheater, Tinley Park, IL, 2022 For additional information on Luke Bryan, Riley Green, Mitchell Tenpenny, and events at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheater, please visit:   Luke Bryan- https://www.lukebryan.com/home Riley Green- https://www.rileygreenmusic.com/ Mitchell Tenpenny- https://mitchell10penny.com/ Hollywood Casino Amphitheater- https://www.tinleyparkamphitheater.com/ Additional Images: Luke Bryan at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheater, Tinley Park, IL, 2022 Mitchell Tenpenny at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheater, Tinley Park, IL, 2022 Photographs and writing by Jaclyn Duske 

Travis Tritt | Nate Venturelli Rialto Square Theatre | Joliet, IL 60432 | August 21, 2022 Travis Tritt at the Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet, IL, 2022 After a long pause from summer vacation, I am finally back into photographing concerts! On August 21st, I received the opportunity to photograph Travis Tritt at the Rialto Square Theatre. I have been a fan of Travis Tritt for a while, so it was on honor to get the opportunity to photograph him. With a nearly sold-out show, I knew that it was going to be an amazing show to photograph.  Travis Tritt at the Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet, IL, 2022 A new up-and-coming artist by the name of Nate Venturelli opened for Travis. This was the first time I heard of him and after his performance, I wish I knew of him sooner! He has an old school country sound, which I personally love. It is hard to find new artists in the country music world that still carry on the old school sound. He sang some original songs, such as “Union Man,” as well as some covers from Riley Green and Merle Haggard. He sang his whole set acoustic, which allowed the audience to hear the full quality of his voice.  Nate Venturelli at the Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet, IL, 2022 After Venturelli’s set, it was time for Tritt to take the stage. The first thing that came to my mind while photographing Tritt was how great his stage presence was. He moved from one end of the stage to the other, always with a smile on his face. It was obvious to everyone watching that he loved what he was doing. He sang many of his hits, such as “It’s a Great Day to Be Alive,” “T-R-O-U-B-L-E,” and “Help Me Hold On.” He also sang some original songs from his newly released album “Set In Stone,” such as “Smoke in a Bar.” About halfway through his set, his crew wheeled his iconic chair onto the stage. At every show, Travis always has a section where he sits down in his chair and sings acoustic to the crowd. The one thing I loved the most about Tritt’s set was his tribute to the men and women in our military. He started his set sitting down giving a speech about his appreciation of our military and then took a moment to have all military personnel in attendance stand for a round of applause. Tritt closed the night performing all over the stage singing his heart out. I am honored to have been able to photograph Tritt and excited to continue shooting concerts at the Rialto in the future.  Travis Tritt at the Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet, IL, 2022 For additional information on Travis Tritt, Nate Venturelli, and events at the Rialto Square Theatre, please visit:   Travis Tritt- https://travistritt.com/ Nate Venturelli- https://www.nateventurelli.com/ Rialto Square Theatre- https://rialtosquare.com/ Additional Images: Travis Tritt at the Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet, IL, 2022 Nate Venturelli at the Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet, IL, 2022 Travis Tritt’s Boots at the Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet, IL, 2022 Photographs and writings by Jaclyn Duske 

Buddy Guy | Ronnie Baker Brooks Rialto Square Theatre | Joliet, IL 60432 | February 26th, 2022 at 7:30pm Buddy Guy at the Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet, IL, 2022 The Rialto Theatre welcomed blues legend Buddy Guy to the stage on Saturday, February 26th. I was very honored to have been able to attend the show and photograph someone as talented as Guy. I personally do not know much about blues but once I saw he was performing at the Rialto, I knew that was a show I wanted to photograph. Concert photography is a field that I am interested in pursuing after graduation, and I would love to photograph as many different genres as I am able to so I can grow my skills. Greg Guy at the Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet, IL, 2022 Guy shared the stage with Ronnie Baker Brooks, who is a Chicago blues and soul blues guitarist. Brooks sang many of his hits, such as “I Had My Chance,” “Satisfaction,” and “Doing Too Much.” He also sang a cover by Alexander O’Neal titled “Born in Chicago.” Brooks has a great stage presence, constantly moving around the stage and keeping the audience engaged. He performed many guitar solos, as well as coming off the stage into the crowd. Ronnie Baker Brooks at the Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet, IL, 2022 After Ronnie Baker Brook’s set, it was time for Buddy Guy to take the stage. He came out in one of his signature polka dot shirts and a big smile. During his first song of his set, one of his guitar strings broke on his guitar, and he gave the string to one of the fans in the front row. A crew member came out with a new guitar that was blue with polka dots, fitting with the polka dot theme. He performed many of his hits including “Damn Right, I’ve Got the Blues,” “Feels Like Rain,” and “Mustang Sally.” He performed many guitar solos, some of which included him playing on a table with a drumstick, on his shoulder, and even by rubbing it on his chest. Marty Sammon at the Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet, IL, 2022 About halfway through the show, Guy came off into the audience with his guitar and continued to play up and down the rows around the theatre. During this time, I got to hold the door open for him when he was moving from one row to the next. Being so close to a blues legend was an absolute honor. Guy then performed a small guitar solo to me and a few ushers that were outside of the theatre doors. It was amazing to see him play up close. At the end of the show Guy brought out a special guest, his son Greg Guy. He performed alongside Buddy for the last few songs of his show. Buddy Guy is a legend in the blues world, and I am so honored to have been given the opportunity to photograph him. This experience allowed me to experiment with concert photography within a different genre of music that provided completely different stage setups, different lighting, and different stage movement. I am hopeful that I will be given the opportunity to photograph other genres of music in the future. Buddy Guy at the Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet, IL, 2022 For additional information on Buddy Guy, Ronnie Baker Brooks, and live music at the Rialto Theatre, please visit:   Buddy Guy- https://www.buddyguy.net/ Ronnie Baker Brooks- https://ronniebakerbrooks.com/ Rialto Square Theatre- https://rialtosquare.com/ Additional Images: Rick Hall at the Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet, IL, 2022 Ronnie Baker Brooks at the Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet, IL, 2022 Ronnie Baker Brook’s guitar at the Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet, IL 2022 Photographs and writing by Jaclyn Duske

Chris Janson | Ray Fulcher | Shane Profitt Halfway to Crazy Tour | Rialto Square Theatre | Joliet, IL 60432 | February 24th, 2022 Chris Janson at the Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet, IL, 2022 I am happy to say that on Thursday, February 24th I was given the opportunity to photograph Chris Janson at the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet, Il. I have been a fan of Chris for a while now, and I was honored to be able to photograph him. Shane Profitt and Ray Fulcher were the openers this evening and both artists performed their set acoustic. Shane Profitt is a new artist in the country scene who has a voice that I feel will be a great addition. He is a down-home southern man with a rich voice. Ray Fulcher at the Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet, IL, 2022 Ray Fulcher is an up-and-coming artist in the country music world. I had the honor of photographing him last November when he toured with Luke Combs, and I was excited to photograph him again in a new setting. He sang some of his songs such as “Girl in It” and “Way Out,” as well as a few songs he cowrote, which were “Does to Me” and “When it Rains it Pours,” that were both recorded by Luke Combs. After Profitt and Fulcher sang their sets, it was time for Chris Janson to take the stage. He sang some of his hits which included “Good Vibes,” “Drunk Girl,” “Done,” “Buy Me a Boat,” and his next prospective single “Bye Mom.” Chris has an amazing stage presence and knows how to keep the crowd engaged. He danced around the stage the whole night and told the audience many of the backstories behind his songs. His energy and personality were very vivid throughout the whole show. It was impossible not to be smiling and laughing along with him. There were many solos performed throughout the evening including the fiddle, electric guitar, and banjo. One of my personal favorite parts of the show were Chris’s harmonica solos. He is a stellar harmonica player and that is not an instrument that is very common today. Chris Janson at the Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet, IL, 2022 As well as performing many of his hits, he sang many covers from different genres. He covered “I Love this Life” by LOCASH, “Uptown Funk” by Bruno Mars, and “Mountain Music” by Alabama. About halfway through his set his mic stand was removed and replaced with a mic stand that resembles the stand at the Grand Ole Opry. Chris was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry March 20, 2018, and he carries that honor with him through his replica mic stand. After Chris sang his last song of the set, he walked over to the drums and performed a drum solo. This concert started off my 2022 on a high note, and I am thankful that I received this opportunity. Chris has an infectious energy, and I am honored to have photographed him, his band, and the opening acts. Shane Profitt at the Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet, IL, 2022 For additional information on Chris Janson, Ray Fulcher, Shane Profitt, and the Rialto Square Theatre, please visit:   Chris Janson- https://www.chrisjanson.com/ Ray Fulcher- https://www.rayfulchermusic.com/ Shane Profitt- https://www.shaneprofitt.com/ Rialto Square Theatre- https://rialtosquare.com/ Additional Images: Chris Janson at the Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet, IL, 2022 Ray Fulcher at the Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet, IL, 2022 Shane Profitt at the Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet, IL, 2022 Photographs and writing by Jaclyn Duske 

Josh Turner | Mo Pitney Rialto Square Theatre | Joliet, IL  60432 | November 20th, 2021 at 7:30 pm Still of Josh Turner and Family at the Rialto Square Theatre on the Today Show with Hoda and Jenna, 2021 On Saturday November 20th, I was given the opportunity to photograph Josh Turner at his Holiday and the Hits tour. I was so excited to photograph him and his band because I have been a huge fan of his music for years. With an almost sold-out show, the fans were very eager for Josh to take the stage. His opener for the evening was Mo Pitney, who has a very unique sound that I feel is needed in country music today. He came out on stage with only his acoustic guitar, no band to perform with him. By Mo not using his band to back him up, the crowd was able to feel the full effects of his voice throughout the arena. Josh Turner at the Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet, IL, 2021 After Mo sang his set, Josh Turner took the stage. He opened the show by singing some of his hits, which included “Why Don’t We Just Dance,” “Your Man,” “Would You Go With Me,” “Long Black Train,” and “Hometown Girl.” Josh had an amazing stage presence and kept the crowd engaged the whole show. In between his songs, he talked about the backstory to some of the songs as well as some cool experiences that he had encountered involving the songs. This was personally one of my favorite parts of concerts because we got to see more into the songs, and it helped draw out a connection to your life and the songs. I felt that it made it more of a relatable experience for the whole audience.  Josh Turner Band at the Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet, IL, 2021 After Josh finished out his first set list with some of his hits, there was a brief intermission so the crew could set up for his Christmas set. A few Christmas trees were added to the stage to bring the Christmas feeling into the theatre. A few songs that were sung throughout his Christmas set were “Joy To The World,” “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” “Mele Kalikimaka My Ohana,” “Santa Clause Is Coming To Town,” and my personal favorite “Soldier’s Gift.” What made this set so special was when his 4 sons came out and performed with him. I was so touched that his whole family got to be on stage with him performing Christmas music. Christmas is about doing what you love with your loved ones all around you, and this show brought that feeling out to the whole crowd. About halfway through his second set of the night, his sons all left the stage along with another band member, leaving Josh confused. When they came back onto the stage, Josh finally understood why they left the stage. Saturday was Josh’s birthday, so his sons went backstage to bring a cake out to him. It was a very sweet and touching moment that I was thrilled to be a part of. This concert experience certainly started off my holiday season on a high note and I am so happy that I got the opportunity to capture those moments through my photographs.  Mo Pitney at the Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet, IL, 2021 For additional information on Josh Turner, Mo Pitney, the Rialto Square Theatre, and the Hoda and Jenna Show, please visit:   Josh Turner- https://www.joshturner.com/ Mo Pitney- https://mopitney.com/ Jaclyn’s Today Show Appearance- https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=433232251804316 The Today Show with Hoda and Jenna- https://www.today.com/hoda-and-jenna Rialto Square Theatre- https://rialtosquare.com/ Additional Images: Josh Turner at the Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet, IL, 2021 Still of Josh Turner and Family at the Rialto Square Theatre on the Today Show with Hoda and Jenna, 2021 Photographs and article by Jaclyn Duske 

Luke Combs | Ashley McBryde | Ray Fulcher The “What You See is What You Get” tour | United Center | Chicago, IL, 60612 | November 4th, 2021 Luke Combs at the United Center, Chicago, IL, 2021 On Thursday November 4th, I got an amazing opportunity to work with Luke Comb’s tour photographer, David Bergman. Before the show, David gave us a rundown on how the show was going to work, as well as giving us numerous tips and tricks on to how to shoot action and concert photography with changing lighting conditions. I have shot one concert prior to this workshop and found out firsthand how tricky concert lighting and performer action can be to photograph. I was very eager to learn from Mr. Bergman. Concert and sports photography are the two career fields I am most interested pursuing in the photography world, so it was very cool to learn from someone who has done both for most of his life. He also discussed the various camera settings, what equipment to use, and how he sets up a venue with various cameras to give him access to multiple angles remotely. Luke Combs at the United Center, Chicago, IL, 2021 After Mr. Bergman gave us the rundown of the show and the general knowledge we would need to know, he showed us where we would be allowed to shoot, as well as where we were not allowed to go so as to not inhibit the concert stage workers from doing their job throughout the show. Luke Combs had his stage set up in the middle of the arena for this tour, so the stage is 360°. We were able to go under the stage and see how all the guitar and microphone changes were to be done, as well as photograph the guitars and soundboards. Then it was time to get our cameras ready for the show.  Ray Fulcher at the United Center, Chicago, IL, 2021 Being able to shoot all the opening artists at this concert was a truly amazing experience. It was a great way for me to get my bearings on locations to get unique photographs before Luke took the stage. It also allowed me to get used to my camera settings and practice on adjusting them with the consistent light changes throughout the concert. I am a huge fan of Luke Combs, so being able to be two feet away from him, taking photographs of him, was amazing. Of course, I stayed professional, but I was definitely fan-girling on the inside.  Christian Sancho at the United Center, Chicago, IL, 2021 Ashley McBryde at the United Center, Chicago, IL, 2021 Overall, this experience was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. I am extremely thankful that I had the opportunity to work with David Bergman and soak up all the knowledge he so willingly shared with us. Hearing about his life experiences as well as what he has learned by trial and error over his professional career in invaluable knowledge for anyone in the profession, especially an aspiring college student. I learned so much from him and I can’t wait to participate in more workshops with him in the future. I have a deep seeded passion for photography and David fueled it further during this workshop. I was also able to meet some new friends who love photography as much as I do. Being a part of this professional community where ideas are exchanged, work sample willingly posted, critiques on work are given, or where problem solving takes place keeps everyone continuously engaged in learning. This is another invaluable benefit I received from this workshop with David Bergman. I would very much recommend this workshop to anyone interested in pursuing action photography. I can’t wait to take what I learned from David and apply it to my photographs in the future and I hope that I will be able to continue to learn from him. A huge thank you should also be extended to Luke Combs for allowing David to hold these workshops and giving this amazing opportunity so many people striving to perfect their craft. Luke Combs and Dustin Nunley at the United Center, Chicago, IL, 2021 For more information on Luke Combs, Ashley McBryde, Ray Fulcher, and live music at the United Center, please visit:   Luke Combs- https://www.lukecombs.com/ Ashley McBryde- https://www.ashleymcbryde.com/ Ray Fulcher- https://www.rayfulchermusic.com/ United Center- https://www.unitedcenter.com/ Additional Images: Kurt Ozan at the United Center, Chicago, IL, 2021 Crowd Shot at the United Center, Chicago, IL, 2021 Ashley McBryde at the United Center, Chicago, IL, 2021 Under the Stage at the United Center, Chicago, IL, 2021 Luke Combs at the United Center, Chicago, IL, 2021 Photographs and writings by Jaclyn Duske