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Excitement Building On North Shore For Kenny Chesney Concert

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- It's billed as one of the hottest concerts of the summer.

Kenny Chesney's "No Shoes Nation" tour is making a stop a Heinz Field. The concert isn't until Saturday, but the party leading up to it is already under way.

John Burger may not have the biggest boat along the ultra-packed North Shore, but he may win the prize for the world's greatest dad after his Kenny Chesney-loving daughter put in a request three weeks ago.

KDKA's Christine D'Antonio: "She literally said, 'Dad, build a boat for Chesney?'"

Burger: "That's it. I'm bringing six 25-year-olds and were coming down, and that's it, so let's do it."

Others who didn't have their family whittle a boat still found a way to hop on board some of the hundred others.

The ones closest inland have been there for weeks just to have what they call "the best seat in the house."

"Best way to watch the concert," said Jordan Webber, of Akron, Ohio. "You can just watch it from the river… hear it from the river, I should say."

While Webber may not be going inside, one guy who definitely will is George Couri.

He grew up in Allison Park before hitting the country music scene and started managing talent like the Eli Young Band.

They will open for Kenny Chesney on Saturday to a pumped up pack of 50,000 Pittsburghers.

"The excitement for it is bigger than other places, and it makes everything around it more exciting," said Couri.

A reason the headliner himself keeps him coming back, year after year.

"It's a great kickoff to summer," said Jimmy Sacco, of Heinz Field. "Kenny's very festive and very energetic. You know, seven times now. He puts it out and fans love it. He loves Pittsburgh."

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