Ahead of Clearwater show, Straight No Chaser's Jasper Smith shares the best gig he ever saw

It was Garth Brooks's freezing Notre Dame stadium show.

By Ray Roa and Josh Bradley on Wed, Jul 31, 2024 at 3:44 pm

Photo via Straight No Chaser website

Jasper Smith of Straight No Chaser, which plays The BayCare Sound in Clearwater, Florida on Aug. 4, 2024.

Anyone jonesing for an Nsync reunion is gonna have to settle for this show featuring Chris Kirkpatrick who handled the high notes for the boy band.

The 52-year-old joins another Orlando pop export (O-Town) on a bill headlined by nine-piece acapella outfit Straight No Chaser which is on the road singing ‘90s hits from the likes of Backstreet Boys, Lisa Loeb and George Michael.

Jasper Smith, baritone in Straight No Chase, recently shared some thoughts for Josh Bradley's "Best Gig I Ever Saw" column (h/t LA Weekly).

Read Smith's response below.

Tickets to see Straight No Chase play The BayCare Sound in Clearwater on Sunday, Aug. 4 are still available and start at $44.50.

“The best live show I’ve ever seen was Garth Brooks at Notre Dame Stadium in the freezing rain. Not only did he play his hits for two hours of miserable weather, but eventually he sent his (insanely tight) band in and played another 90 minutes of requests (from the audience 100k strong) by himself with just his guitar.

It not only showed the strength of his catalog, but his care and respect for his audience for sticking with him. That simple thing was so formative for me as a touring musician. We, as artists, are nothing without our fans and people who connect with what we do. It’s made me more mindful of approaching SNC shows from a place of gratitude and connectivity with our amazing audiences.”—Jasper Smith, Straight No Chaser

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About The Authors

Josh Bradley

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Josh Bradley is Creative Loafing Tampa's resident live music freak. He started freelancing with the paper in 2020 at the age of 18, and has since covered, announced, and previewed numerous live shows in Tampa Bay. Check the music section in print and online every week for the latest in local live music.

Ray Roa

Read his 2016 intro letter and disclosures from 2022 and 2021. Ray Roa started freelancing for Creative Loafing Tampa in January 2011 and was hired as music editor in August 2016. He became Editor-In-Chief in August 2019. Past work can be seen at Suburban Apologist, Tampa Bay Times, Consequence of Sound and The...

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