Photo credits: Permian Press staff

What happened: My mom and I decided to make a night of it last Friday with dinner at La Mission followed by Tracy Lawrence at the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center. From the food and friendly service to three talented country artists and a crowd dressed head-to-toe in cowboy boots and Stetsons, it turned into one of the most enjoyable evenings we’ve had together in quite a while.

Before heading to the concert, we stopped at La Mission around 5:15 p.m. Even with the restaurant filling up before the show, we only waited about 20 minutes for a table. After we told our waitress we were headed to the concert, she made sure we were well taken care of. Our drinks stayed full, the chips kept coming, and our food arrived with plenty of time for us to make it to the concert without feeling rushed.

I ordered the chicken enchiladas with red sauce, while my mom chose Ricardo’s Dinner Plate. Both meals were hot, fresh, and full of flavor, making them the perfect start to the evening.

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The big picture: Walking into Wagner Noël, it was easy to tell it would be a great night. The venue was spotless, with attendants stationed throughout the building to help guests, and concession stands offering snacks, drinks, and alcoholic beverages before the show.

One of my favorite parts before the concert even started was simply looking around at the crowd. Cowboy boots, pearl snap shirts, and Stetson hats filled the lobby, creating the atmosphere you’d expect at a classic Texas country concert. The evening opened with Caiden Wallace, followed by Frank Ray, before Tracy Lawrence took the stage.

I had never heard Caiden Wallace or Frank Ray before Friday night, but both quickly made me a fan. Wallace mixed great storytelling with an impressive guitar performance, while Frank Ray connected with the audience through his music and by openly sharing about his faith, family, and support for first responders, members of the military, and law enforcement.

When Tracy Lawrence finally walked on stage, the crowd went wild. He mixed classic hits with a few unreleased songs he’s currently working on, giving Midland fans something unique. Some of my favorite performances included “Find Out Who Your Friends Are,” “Paint Me a Birmingham,” “Made in America,” and an incredible rendition of “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.”

Go deeper: As great as Tracy Lawrence was, his band deserves just as much recognition. Every musician was outstanding, but fiddler Joe Caverlee stole the show more than once. Every time he stepped forward for a solo, the audience responded with thunderous applause.

I also appreciated how often Lawrence recognized his band throughout the night. You could tell he genuinely values the musicians who have spent years touring alongside him.

One of my favorite moments wasn’t even a particular song; it was watching the audience. People sang every word, danced in the aisles, and smiled throughout the evening. It was clear these songs brought back memories for many of the fans in attendance.

The bottom line: Like most sold-out concerts, getting out of the parking lot took a little patience, but honestly, neither my mom nor I minded. By the time I got home around 10:30 p.m., I was still thinking about my favorite moments from the concert.

Between dinner at La Mission, the welcoming atmosphere at Wagner Noël, and performances by Caiden Wallace, Frank Ray, and Tracy Lawrence, it turned into one of the most enjoyable nights we’ve shared. If Tracy Lawrence comes back through Midland, we’ll definitely be there.