Heather from Hannacroix got emotional on the air with us Friday morning when talking about her father, Kevin Spencer.  Kevin you see, wasn't just dad, he was also her concert buddy who shared a passion for country music and live shows - and together - the daddy and daughter duo were unstoppable.  Well, almost unstoppable. When Heather's father was given a terminal cancer diagnosis back in 2011, it was believed he would only have a few months to live.  At that moment, they formed an unbreakable bond.  It was tighter than a Garth Brooks set list, stronger than the beams holding up the SPAC stage.  They were bonded by a 'bucket list' of country concerts they created. This list would inspire and motivate the dynamic duo to live life to fullest - doing what they love - as they both knew his time here was about to be cut short.

Their plan was to soak up as many country music shows as time would allow.  All in all, they settled on trying to see 50 of them.  When treatments and ailments made it so that Heather's father was too sick to attend a show, she would go anyways.  He was always with her even when he was too ill to leave his bed.  Through Facetime and pictures, he was living vicariously through Heather.  It kept him alive while it kept her seeking out the next show, and the next, and the next.  Together, they completed 49 of the 50 bucket list country concerts they had set out to see.  All but one, Rascal Flatts.

When GNA announced that RF was to headline Countryfest 2018, she knew it was fate. This was final piece to the puzzle.  All dad had to do was hang on for one more show. After a long and courageous battle with cancer that started back in 2011, his body couldn't fight anymore. Kevin Spencer passed away on May 24th - 6 weeks before Countryfest . It would been have been their 50th and final show together.

Heather got her tickets for the big show and reached out to GNA on Facebook simply to tell us her story. She explained how the upcoming GNA show with Rascal Flatts was special to her in many ways.  While her father wouldn't be with her physically, he'll certainly be with her in spirit helping complete the list.

We felt compelled to air a piece of her story on the air because it touched us.  Heather was already going to the show and wasn't asking for anything additional, she just wanted to talk about her relationship and special bond with her dad.  We offered up a chance to meet the guys from Rascal Flatts.  Needless to say, she was pretty happy about that.

50 artists, 50 shows: dad and daughter sharing an infinite bond.  Heather and her road warrior father right by her side for all 50 including the grand finale meet and greet with Rascal Flatts.

After all the high notes, all the guitar solos, and all the hit songs, this was the encore of a lifetime.

 

 

 

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