By: Andrew Giangola
August 24, 2018
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee performed with Ryan Weaver at the Music City Knockout in Nashville. Photo: Manny Cabo.
It all started with the Beatles on Ed Sullivan.
On February 7, 1964, four mop-topped lads from across the ocean kicked into “All My Loving” on the country’s most popular variety program.
More than 70 million Americans – a huge chunk of the population – sat in rapt attention in front of black-and-white television consoles all across the country.
When the boys launched into “She Loves You,” the theater exploded.
Legend has it the cameramen couldn’t hear the director’s instructions over the hordes of screaming, hyperventilating girls.
Some say it was the most important two minutes and 16 seconds of music ever broadcast on American television.
It was a life-changing moment for Mike Huckabee, 8 years old, wide-eyed in his family’s living room in Hope, Arkansas.
Instantly, Mike wanted a guitar.
He’d ask for one again and again. But the family couldn’t afford the instrument.
Finally, on Christmas when he was 11, Mike was presented a $99 Penncrest house-brand guitar his parents bought on installment from the JC Penney catalog.
“I wore my fingers to the bone learning to play that guitar,” Huckabee said, 54 years later, in the green room of Bridgestone Arena in Nashville with country rocker Ryan Weaver, the official patriotic voice of the PBR, getting ready to hit center stage to perform prior to the Music City Knockout.
Huckabee had just returned from a trip to Liverpool to visit the hometown of his favorite band.
Growing up, he would switch to bass, knowing every band needs a bass player.
That kind of clear-eyed, practical thinking helped propel Huckabee to an extraordinary political career, rising to governor of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007 and runs for the White House in 2008 and 2016.
He’s also a best-selling author, an ordained Southern Baptist minister, and host of the popular television show,Huckabee.
These days, though, he may be best known as the proud father of one of the world’s most recognized and controversial women, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, currently President Trump’s White House Press Secretary.
Sarah would be attending the PBR event in Nashville to see her dad perform, and more importantly, with her three children in tow, to spend much-deserved family time at a fun event, which would start with a splendid celebration of American heroes.
Serving as the mouthpiece for the most unconventional president in the history of the republic, each day facing a press corps that had transformed into sharp-fanged advocacy journalists hell-bent on dethroning her boss, Sarah had been through a tough time. So much so that she needed Secret Service protection, a first for a press secretary.
Not that any bodyguards were required at Bridgestone Arena. PBR fans embraced a hard-working mom with daunting professional responsibilities allowing absolutely no margin for error.
In fact, if there were one person in the capacity crowd last Saturday night with a more difficult and punishing job than the bull riders of the PBR, it would be Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
“It’s hard to put into words how grateful I am for the warm reception Sarah received,” Gov. Huckabee said. “When men like (bullfighter) Shorty Gorham and (PBR announcer) Clint Atkins stopped me to say how much they respect and admire my daughter, it’s the best thing in the world any dad can hear.”
Huckabee was proclaimed “Governor of PBRville” by PBR CEO Sean Gleason.
Weaver, a two-time Gold Star recipient whose brother and brother-in-law died in the Middle East, had been on Huckabee’s show recently. He and his longtime bassist Trey McCampbell had presented Huckabee a special Spector bass guitar that had been used in the music video for Weaver’s song, “Burn.”
“I would love to have you perform with me at the PBR,” Weaver said to Huckabee.
A date was set and in Nashville, Huckabee joined the band in laying the backbeat for “That’s What America Means to Me” during Weaver’s pre-show concert.
That performance, as well as interviews with PBR CEO Sean Gleason, Gorham, hometown favorite Cody Nance and the U.S. Border Patrol’s Richard Fortunato, will be featured on “Huckabee” airing Saturday, August 25 at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT and again on Sunday.
Over the years, Huckabee had played gigs at big venues. But when the Bridgestone Arena lights were killed and thousands of fans stood shining their smartphone lights – 2018’s version of the Zippo lighter held aloft – it was an unforgettable musical moment.
The best part was his three grandkids loved the PBR even more than even their first major league baseball game.
“My 5 year old grandson said, ‘Papa, I don’t like it—I LOVE IT!’” Huckabee said. “PBR is an amazing display of some of the most highly trained and courageous athletes in the world wrapped into a full evening of wholesome, family-friendly patriotism. It’s a fast-paced, electrifying production where the energy starts at full throttle and never stops.
“It was easy to see why the arena was packed to the rafters—this is one of America’s great and original experiences.”
Weaver has had a wild ride at BPR thus far, including playing in T Mobile Arena during World Finals.
Being on stage with the governor ranks right up there, the combat vet said.
“Governor Huckabee is one of the kindest, most genuine people you’d ever meet. He’s an immense supporter of our military law enforcement, and first responders. Being on stage together was incredible; him being an extremely talented bassist didn’t hurt either!”
There were no politics involved in the performance; the music and message of “That’s What America Means to Me” united all fans.
As bull riders, sponsor representatives and stock contractors in the chutes got to meet the governor and his daughter, everyone started to realize the same thing.
While father and daughter may not wear cowboy hats or boots, they epitomize the cowboy values seen every day in the PBR.
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