Time to get excited about the upcoming Miranda Lambert concert! In preparation for the big day, we’re taking a look at both of Miranda’s supporting acts. Let’s start with the lovable country boy, Chris Young.

Starting in small clubs and bars in Nashville, TN, Chris Young understands what it takes to push for and conquer dreams. That’s why after 3 albums, 4 consecutive #1 hits on the country charts, and a Grammy nomination, Young can really appreciate the success and the blessing his music has been.

Young’s music inspires good times with friends and family. His latest album, “Neon,” has captivated his audience with catchy, radio-friendly lyrics paired with that toe-tapping country sound.

2011 was a great year for Young. Having recently performed for the American Country Awards this December, and then taking home the prize for both Breakthrough Artist of the Year and Single of Year for “Voices”, Chris is an undeniable rising star and sure to be a great opening act for Miranda Lambert.

You can check out Chris Young on the Ellen Degeneres Show this Tuesday, Jan. 17^th or find more about him and his music at http://www.chrisyoungcountry.com/

Taylor Swift was back at Rupp Arena again for another sell out concert, this time for her Speak Now World Tour. Saturday Night’s Concert kicked off with David Nail. Amongst his short playlist was the award nominated song “Turning Home”. He doesn’t have that rough-and-tough country sound; it’s soulful, more sophisticated. He was a great opening act and really easy to look at!

Next up Needtobreathe, great band! Influenced by Tom Petty and Pearl Jam they really got the crowd moving and wondering, who are these guys and where did they come from? This group really has a unique sound. With songs like “Girl from Tennessee” and “Drive all Night” their sound resembled folk-rock; but with “Oohs and Ahhs” they sounded similar to Kings of Leon. I hope others took some time Sunday morning to download more songs by Needtobreathe; like I did! I appreciated that Taylor Swift picked a group that was a little off the beaten path; It was a nice change of pace to hear a group not-so country opening for a country superstar.

Taylor Swift took the stage with “Sparks Fly” and I had never heard screams so shrill! Little girls all over the world definitely look up to her; and why wouldn’t they when she writes all of her own songs? She’s quite talented; not only can she play the guitar but she played a 12 string guitar, piano and a ukulele. The stage set was also incredible. There were trap doors in the stage floor that the dancers were popping in and out off; she even arose from the ground with her white piano at one point. She moved to the back of the arena and sat on a glowing tree that was suspended from the ceiling; played guitar and sang while it slowly spun. One word to summarize this show: Dramatic. Between the ballet dancers, rope swinging trapeze dancers, back up dancers, actors, her awesome band, and finally travelling across the arena sky in a make-shift balcony where she sang her hit song “Love Story”… there was so much to see.

It was a family-friendly show but fun for those of us in the 25+ age range, too! Taylor’s songs are relatable whether you’re 15 or 45; all of her songs are about new love and heartbreak (and of course “Revenge”)… doesn’t that sum up every girl’s life? There were guys in the audience, too! Whether they were forced to come with girlfriends or daughters, I’d be willing to bet that those guys enjoyed the show, too. It’s easy to see why she can sell out a concert in a matter of minutes. She appears to be humbled by the die-hard fans that make glowing t-shirts and signs and expressed her gratitude to the 16,000 fans that came out. Great show Taylor! Thanks for coming back to Lexington!

Blogged by: Emily Dowd
Photos by: Paul Hooper

The Avett Brothers brought their unique form of folk rock to the heart of the bluegrass, and played an amazing show at Rupp Arena last night. It’s not often that folk rock acts play venues this large, and not only is it a treat for everyone, but it also is a testament to the success and skill of the brothers and their band.

A pleasant surprise or a bit of a let down. These are the two ways an unheard of opening act can be classified. Unfortunately, Jessica Lea Mayfield’s performance would fall under the latter description. Mayfield, a young blonde, took the stage wearing a sweet dress, black tights, and bold red heels. She strummed her guitar and occasionally sipped her wine as she sang what sounded like the same song over and over. Her feet seemed to be glued to one location on the stage for the duration of her act which was a shame because I longed for a better view of her shoes. When the Avett Brothers joined her for one song, the audience perked up some due to the promise of what was to come during the headliner’s set.

A short intermission for a crowd of around 5 thousand led into the main event. Beginning their show with the song, “Salina,” the Avett Brothers had the crowd clapping and singing along for rest of the evening. Scott and Seth along with the other band members bounced and jumped around the carpeted stage as they sang and played their instruments. It may be easy to picture a man and a guitar jumping around and maybe even a man and a banjo, but have you seem a man play his cello while jumping and spinning? I now have.

The concert made it evident that the Avett Brothers were enjoying every moment of playing the show which in turn, made the audience enjoy every moment of viewing the show. Songs like “Will You Return” and “Slight Figure of Speech” with their quick tempos made everyone get out of their seats and dance. It almost felt like you had to. But at the right times, the band would slow the show down and play crowd favorites like “January Wedding” and “Shame.”

One does not get to see many bands perform who are frequently described as being a part of the “folk rock” genre. So, seeing a crowd of people outfitted in plaid button-downs and boots “fist-pumping” to a banjo, guitar, cello, and stand-up bass was an absolutely beautiful sight. The Avett Brothers show brought amazing amounts of energy and life to their albums that just cannot quite come through earbuds or computer speakers. This concert reminded me of why people see their favorite bands over and over again.

Blogged by: Becca Colbert
Photos by: Paul Hooper

What defines a good concert; packed seats, party-like atmosphere, catchy songs to sing along to, free shirts and alcohol? Well, if any combination of those criteria are what make a concert good, then Rupp Arena might have had one of their best concerts…. well, ever.

Country music and Kentucky go together like peanut butter and jelly, like chips and salsa, or even University of Kentucky Basketball and winning. They just work together, and when they do, it is a spectacular sight. Saturday night was one of those spectacular nights at Rupp Arena with Kenny Chesney in town along with special guests Uncle Kracker and Billy Currington.

I have been to very few country concerts, so I wasn’t totally sure on what to expect during it. I knew I would have a good time, and would enjoy the show, just was a little curious how to night would unfold. My overall experience was wonderful; I had a great time. Even during such a good time though, there was one thing that just didn’t seem right, but I will get to that in a bit.

Uncle Kracker was the first artist to take to the stage. As a rule for an opening act, Uncle Kracker was tasked with pumping the crowd up for Kenny Chesney. With a combination of some of his own songs and songs from other famous acts, Uncle Kracker got the crowd up from their seats, singing and dancing. During his short set he had done what he was put out on stage to do and then some.

This brings me to my first complaint though about the show. Now, I understand when an opening act doesn’t have all the big hits of the main attraction they play songs from bigger groups/artists. Normally, that really doesn’t bother me; or even when a big group does a cover of someone else’s song. The problem with Uncle Kracker was… he played more than just one or two songs from other artists, even though Uncle Kracker has established his own name. He had been in the music industry for a long time, so I assumed he had a bigger selection of songs to play. I might have stuck my foot in my mouth, but I want to say now though, that this wasn’t a totally bad thing. Uncle Kracker picked songs that everyone knew and would get people pumped up.

With the conclusion of Uncle Kracker, the stagehands came out and quickly turned the stage from Uncle Kracker to Billy Currington. Before this concert, I didn’t know any Billy Currington songs, so everything he was singing was completely new for me. I wasn’t able to sing along or get into the songs really at all. Even though I was disjointed from the songs, I still had a great time. In a combination of country and rock, Billy Currington seemed like he could be a headliner for his own tour.

In order to prep for Kenny Chesney, a large curtain was dropped over the stage as everything was assembled for his arrival. The curtain had a huge image on it of an island to set the mood for the rest of the concert as one of relaxation and partying. All along the curtain, Corona had their famous crown and blue words plastered as another cue to the mood of relaxing and partying. It didn’t hurt that since the concert was sponsored by Corona, that there was free Corona that was passed around in the pit.

As the lights dimmed, the crowd grew louder. Inside the curtain, lights began to shine and you could see silhouettes of the band artists and cameramen. Then it happened, you saw a guy standing in the middle of the curtain wearing a cowboy hat and within half a second, everyone knew who that was. The curtain raised and the show started with a bang.

From the first song to the final encore performance Kenny Chesney was pure brilliant on stage. He worked the crowd to perfection, made those iconic poses, and sang his heart out. Those lucky people who were in-attendance at the concert saw a show that only a true master of their craft can give. There was no weak section at all in the show. Kenny Chesney’s concert was basically the definition of perfection.

OH! I almost forgot possibly the biggest news of the night; a very special guest joined Kenny Chesney on stage for two songs. In a complete surprise to not only the fans, but to Kenny himself, the country legend George Jones came on to the stage. George Jones sang two songs, one on his own and one as a duet with Kenny Chesney. If it was possible to make this concert any better, it happened. When I was young my parents constantly listened to George Jones, so being able to see the actual person that has been in the industry for such a long time on stage doing what he loves, is something that I will never forget.

Not being a big fan of country music, coming into this concert I had mixed emotions. I really did not know what to expect, even though I had some insights from friends about Kenny Chesney in concert. After the concert was over and looking back at it now while writing this review, I had a blast. The entire three and a half hour show was brilliant and fun, exciting and thrilling. I won’t be missing the next Kenny Chesney concert when it comes to Rupp Arena again.

Click Here to See More Photos from the Show

Blogged by: Kyle Jessee
Photos by: Paul Hooper

The Jason Aldean Concert Friday night was definitely a party! It was “My Kinda Party” for the sold-out crowd of 18,000! Friday’s concert was the largest night of Jason’s tour! Go Lexington!

The JaneDear girls were the opening act; I find it surprising they are already on tour. Looks aside, they still don’t fit the country scene. The show could have done without this opening act. Maybe their next single will be better than their last.

Eric Church was a different tune! Everyone loved Eric! He’s more of a rebel in the country music world and got everyone up and singing along. With the songs “Sinners like me” and “Smoke a Little Smoke” beers were slinging and the party was starting. It’s good to see he’s still around singing the songs he’s known for. You forget how many songs Eric Church has out there until he starts playing them and you realize you know every word along with the other 18,000 people who are singing and swaying, too!

Jason Aldean has been around for a while now. I remember when he played at Eastern Kentucky University for students in Alumni Coliseum just a few years ago and everyone loved him then as a country star in the making… Well he’s made it! His most recent album “My Kind of Party” has gone platinum selling one million albums.

“We laughed until we cried”… well maybe not but everyone was having a great time. There’s just nothing better than a country concert… well except for country music fans! Jason Aldean knows how to relate to his fans – which is probably why “Big Green Tractor” and “She’s Country” are crowd favorites. Many times throughout the night the crowd was singing so loud you couldn’t hear him anymore. That’s the kind of star he’s turning in to – one whose going to continue to sing songs everyone can relate to and will continue to sell out concerts!

Jason Aldean played all the right songs. Song from when he was just getting started like “Hicktown” to songs off his new album like “Tatoos on this town” and “See you when I see you”. The only thing that could have made for a better concert was if Kelly Clarkson would have appeared for the duet “Don’t you wanna stay”. She was on the video board singing her part of the song… at the very least we were all pleased he didn’t sing it alone or with someone else. After all its everyone’s favorite song right now!

It was a great night for Country Music Fans in Rupp Arena!

Click Here to See More Photos from the Show

Blogged by: Emily Dowd
Photos by: Paul Hooper

A figure stands high up on the rigging, looming over stage and audience. The man slips a noose over his neck and jumps as Avenged Sevenfold launches into their opening song, Nightmare. The stunt man sways and kicks, before succumbing to his fate –hanging through two songs before the 7,000 in attendance. The audience below him never went still throughout the headliner’s energized 80 minute set.

This was my first experience with Avenged Sevenfold (aside from the 2005 Hunter S. Thompson inspired single Bat Country) and they met every expectation. From the graveyard stage décor for the aptly named the Nightmare After Christmas tour, to the blistering waves of heat off the pyrotechnics and right down to the heavy ink covering A7X (short for Avenged Sevenfold) front man M. Shadows.

Stone Sour preceded the top billing with songs shifting from newer and hard to older and soft. Lead singer Corey Taylor followed songs off the band’s new album Audio Secrecy with tunes such as the solo acoustic Bother (2002) and ballad Through the Glass (2006). Taylor questioned the audience as to whether or not they recognized him after abandoning his long locks for a look that he described as a “Metal Doogie Howser.” A task more daunting and complicated considering Taylor wears a mask as the lead for Slipknot.

The 4 ½ hour show also included rockers New Medicine and Hollywood Undead. The latter of which began their set sporting masks (a possible ode to the aforementioned ‘Knot?) and boasted four vocalists -one of which could be described at best a hype man/videographer. The Undead was short on space during their set due to the halved stage concealing some of A7X’s stage pieces.
This coupled with the loaded lineup proved logistically trying and provided some unintentional humor as a couple band mates bumped accidently while trying to orient themselves during the first song. But don’t let this or their name fool you, Hollywood Undead look as if they will be well and alive for years to come.

M. Shadows and company provided possibly the most humorous and somber moments of the night. The Avenged Sevenfold singer admitted to catching Rascal Flatts the night before. Shadows was none too impressed with the country act to the pleasure of the crowd who also chastised his taste at first, playing along with the bit.

On a sad note Avenged Sevenfold performed So Far Away in tribute to former drummer Jimmy Sullivan who died in 2009. All told the entire show was perfect tribute to a fallen band mate.

Click Here to View the Setlist for the Show
Click Here to See More Photos from the Show

Blogged by: Sean Phillips
Photos by: Paul Hooper

One thing Rascal Flatts never do—leave you wondering who in the world their opening act is. Some concerts you walk into no-namers trying to get their big break, but time and time again Rascal Flatts brings artists on tour with them that are just as enjoyable and you’re able to sing right along. This is smart, Chris Young and Luke Bryan had a helping hand getting the crowds energy level up for the entire hour and a half that their opening acts played. By the time Rascal Flatts came on it was about 9:20 or so. They sure keep the anticipation high!

The anticipation was also high for another decade of great country music. Rascal Flatts have been together creating chart toppers for a decade now! I can remember back in high school watching CMT to see their music videos just as they were starting to climb the charts! This tour was all about their past 10 years of music. They started with the good stuff, the stuff that made them who they are today–all the way back to 2001! They started with songs like, “Praying For Daylight” and “I’m Moving On”. It felt like everyone there new these hits even from 10 years ago. Says a lot about a group when your fan base can sing to you your first hits from a decade ago!

Throughout the entire show Rascal Flatts was very engaged with the audience—almost too engaged. They talked too much on stage—I wanted to hear some more music!!! One thing they didn’t let get past anyone in Rupp Arena was how completely thankful they were for every single one of us out there. Without their fans, the decade of twelve #1 singles wouldn’t have been possible—as cliché as it sounds, it’s always nice to hear!

Throughout the night they drifted through their many, many hits while everyone sang along and waited to hear the song they came for. I felt they did a decent job getting all the songs out that you know people wanted to hear—just didn’t hear much of their new stuff off their recent album that just came out in 2010.

I think after a group is out for so long, you start to forget how talented they actually are. Rascal Flatts came out strong with their vocals. They are distinct and powerful and this was no different live. Although they were not a jump around, get crazy, mosh pit type of concert, this leaves time to recognize all the talent that springs from the group from Gary the lead singer all the way down to the fiddle player and drummer (two group members from Rascal Flatts are from Kentucky, too!)

The night at Rupp Arena (which they made sure to recognize the all powerful UK Wildcats—they’d be crazy not too) was a success! They made it very enjoyable for all ages and again showcased why they have been named country music’s “Artist’s of the Decade”. Excited for another decade of Rascal Flatts albums to come!

Click Here to View the Setlist for the Show
Click Here to See More Photos from the Show

Blogged by: Tara Vollman
Photos by: Paul Hooper

With 8 tour buses and 20 semi’s, Trans-Siberian Orchestra literally lit up Rupp Arena December 1 in their annual stop here. The evening began with a TSO tradition. One dollar of each ticket sold is donated to a local charity. This year a check for $7891 was presented to Jim Richardson on behalf of the Kentucky Children’s Hospital.

There were a very large number of first-time audience members as the non-stop two-and-a-half hour performance kicked off about 7:45. Narrator Brian Hicks told the Christmas Eve story wrapped in music for the first half of the show. “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”, “Joy to the World”, “This Christmas Day”, “Ornament” and more were performed accompanied by the now-famous TSO lights, fire and fireworks. “First Snow” brought with it snow from above. TSO’s signature colored lights, lasers and strobes filled Rupp with the music. With speakers hung high in the rafters the music enveloped everyone but did not overpower.

When the Christmas Eve story came to an end, leader Chris Caffery replaced his guitar with a Kentucky shirt to the delight in the crowd and took a moment to introduce the members of the band. The string section was made up of local orchestra members. They were led by Roddy Chong who brought great energy with his electric violin and big smile. In the second half of the show Tim Hockenberrry sang “The Dream Child”, a new song now available as a free download on amazon.com.

Newcomer Kayla Reeves sang a medley from the upcoming TSO rock opera including the band’s rendition of “Help” by the Beatles. Of course “Christmas Canon”, a long-time favorite thrilled the crowd late in the show as did Beethoven’s Fifth. The curtain didn’t come down as much as the sparks and fireworks flew up to end the show. The crowd jumped to their feet in a standing ovation already looking forward to the 2011 return of Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

Blogged by: Bill Straus
Fan Photos by: Tucker Bulleit

Did you have any plans Friday, October 8th, at 6:15? If you were are Rupp Arena, you would have been at the biggest party in Lexington, KY and possibly the biggest party in Kentucky. Those that were privileged enough to be at Rupp Arena on Friday night witnessed a spectacular…well, spectacle. Loud music, fireworks, flames shooting into the sky and free shirts; really, there was nowhere else you should have been. For the lucky people that were in attendance at Rupp Arena on Friday night got to party with three of some of the biggest names in Rock; Buckcherry, Three Days Grace, and Nickelback. Wish you were there? Well my friend, read on. After imagining what this concert was like, you will be foaming at the mouth in anticipation about the next time these great performers come riding into Lexington.

Kicking off the night of loud music and dancing was a band that does not need an introduction. Everyone knows from their super hit about a crazy “woman friend”. If you guessed Buckcherry, you are correct. Buckcherry came out to start the concert off on the right foot. As Josh Todd started singing you could hear one glaring problem that could have plagued Buckcherry for their entire set. There are sound checks before a band comes out play for a reason, right? Well that’s what I thought at least, but apparently not. With the rest of Buckcherry rocking out, playing the best music they can, they also drowned out Josh, you could not hear any word he was saying. Then, if there is, in my opinion, a huge problem like that during a show, it should take less than two songs to fix the problem. If I wasn’t such a fan of Buckcherry, I doubt I would have known what songs they were playing, but the problem did get fixed eventually.

The rest of Buckcherry’s set was flawless, flawless as in the sense of the music part. There was the one big problem that was not their fault. An opening band’s job is to pump the crowd up. By the time the opening group leaves the stage, every person in the stadium needs to be up on their feet dancing around, singing, and whatever else people do. Sadly, Buckcherry did not accomplish that. The strange part was though, that it didn’t seem to be Buckcherry’s fault. This marks the third time I have seen Buckcherry in concert and they ALWAYS get the crowd going crazy and having fun. For the majority of the people in the crowd for this concert though, didn’t get the energy that Buckcherry was throwing in their faces. I know it might sound like all I have to say about Buckcherry are bad things. If that is what you are reading from this, then I am sorry. Buckcherry put on one hell of a show! Just as I will say with Three Days Grace and Nickelback, go see Buckcherry, you will have a good time.

Moving on now to the group that got me excited about this concert and really wanting to come; Three Days Grace. Really, the review for Three Days Grace could easily be summed up in one sentence. Three Days Grace always puts on an amazing show; if you are a rock fan, go see them! There it was, the sentence that sums up everything about Three Days Grace performance. Don’t worry though, I won’t leave you with just that. I will explain how I came up with such a sentence.

Three Days Grace took to the stage after a rather short intermission after Buckcherry, and well did what Buckcherry could not, in more ways than one. Three Days Grace was not hindered by sound quality issues at all during their performance. The stage crew knew how to get their instruments and microphones perfect so every great guitar riff to pounding drum beat to the powerful lyrics. It was perfect. Maybe I got a little too into that description…oh well, Three Days Grace deserves it.

As I mentioned earlier, Three Days Grace did multiple things that Buckcherry sadly could not do. The second one was pumping up the crowd. Around the middle of their set Three Days Grace blessed everyone in attendance with one of their best hits “Home” off their first album. Towards the middle of the song the band slowed down the song and put on repeat for Adam to make a request from the fans. This request wasn’t anything outrageous at all, it was really simple. Stand up. That’s it. A vast majority of the crowd was still sitting down, even during 3DG’s great performance. The fans sadly did not seem to listen to Adam’s demands at all, so he offered an ultimatum. Either everyone stand up and the concert will start back up, or Adam will sit down and expect us to put on a show for him. Slowly I could see people standing up, just so there would be something to watch. Just then, Adam got an even better idea. He would come into the stands in order to get people up and jumping around. Do I need to tell you that option worked? Well, it did. As Adam started walking through the crowed, “Home” started back up and eventually ended once Adam had made his way around the arena and back on stage.

It is plainly obvious when you hear people chanting a bands name after they leave the stage that what you just witnessed was a great show. Well, Three Days Grace put on just that. I have never seen a bad show by Three Days Grace, and this one was even better than the last one. I guess I have given Three Days Grace enough praise, so I will stop and move on to the main attraction of the night.

Picture this with me. You are sitting in your seats waiting for the headliner of the show to hit the stage and blow the roof off of Rupp Arena. Over on the stage you are watching the stage crew set up microphones, speakers, and a giant sheet covering a huge chunk of the stage from ceiling to floor. A few minutes pass, the lights go out, and what happens? The crowd goes crazy in anticipation of what they are about to be a part of. Now time crawls by. It might have only been two minutes we wait, but it felt like a life time. With one fluid motion, a deafening bang echoed through Rupp Arena and the curtain fell with Nickelback already rocking out before the curtain hit the floor. Fireworks blowing up all around them, flames shooting into the air, lights flashing and blinding you, and loud hard rock music. Sound fun? Yes, I agree, it sounds like a tanker boat full of fun, and it was.

There was something that just didn’t seem right about this concert from the start. Why would Nickelback be having this super intense show for just a regular concert? Last time they come into town on their Dark Horse tour, they used a lot of fireworks and fire, but this year’s tour put Dark Horse to shame. That thought didn’t ruin the show for me, but it did stick in my head all the way through. Well, all the way through until Chad Kroeger decided to tell us. Concert DVD. That’s right, this year’s Dark Horse tour is being filmed for an upcoming DVD. I am keeping my fingers crossed that I might see my beautiful mug in it… anyway, back to the review.

Nickelback’s stage had a thrust that shot out into the middle of the crowd a good 40 feet at least. During the majority of the start of the show, Chad would occasionally walk out about 4 feet onto it, but that was it. You knew they would eventually use it, or else why would they have included it as part of the stage. So eventually the entire band came out to the front of the thrust to play some songs. As they were walking out, you realized rather quickly that there were no drums. Not to worry though, right as you thought that, there was a transformation that took place on the stage and a part of the floor started rotating. On the other side was a drum set that was attached to the floor. Even with the thousands of other fans that were in the arena that night, Nickelback was good at making it feel like they were putting on a show just for you. The songs that they played while out here were not acoustic, but compared to the rest of their show you could have considered these songs an acoustic-like section.

Here is an easy question. Do you like alcohol? Well, do you like FREE alcohol? I believe the vast majority of you reading this just answered yes to both or one of those questions. Well, if you were lucky enough to be in one of the front rows of fans standing on the floor while Nickelback was out on the thrust playing music, you got free alcohol. A stage help rolled out a cart filled with shots for the fans. Doing that was a great way to show that they care about the fans, even though I was nowhere near the stage.

After their little stint out at the end of the stage, Nickelback retreated to their main area to continue what they are better at doing; fire, fireworks, explosions, and rocking really hard. I have kind of hit the same wall I hit with Three Days Grace. I don’t know what more to say about Nickelback’s performance than it was spectacular. Last time they were at Rupp Arena I couldn’t think how Nickelback could top that performance because it was so good and so fun. I spoke too soon. I am not going to say that again because I know for their next concert, they will go farther than they went for this year’s concert.

This was a great night for rock music. The bands were great, the music was fantastic and the fans were having a blast. Easily one of the better concert experiences I have had in awhile. If you were in attendance at Rupp Arena on Friday night, then good job for being there. If you were not at Rupp Arena on Friday night then shame on you, and don’t miss the Nickelback concert next time they come rolling into town.

Blogged by: Kyle Jessee
Photos by: Paul Hooper

At 6:58 the lights went down and the music kicked in as Lee Ann Womack stepped onto the stage. She set the tone for what would begin a most incredible night of country music featuring not only Reba McEntire, performing like the star that she is, but also the King of Country Music himself, George Strait.

Lee Ann Womack took charge, capturing her audience right away, working the four corners of the center stage very well. She looked great, she sounded great and was the perfect opener for this 4 hour power packed concert. Though her set was short, it was filled with some of her best hits, ending of course, with the ever popular “I Hope You Dance” and “Ashes by Now”.

And then came Reba. Looking like the star that she is, in her black denim jeans, a black sequin dotted, sleeveless top and black over the knee boots, she immediately brought the house down with her opener “I Can’t Even Get the Blues”. Promising some old stuff and almost warning that there would have to be new songs as well, she did not disappoint. Every piece, the new and the old were delivered with such power and pitch perfect clarity, one cannot help but smile when Ms. McEntire is on stage. Four giant screens allowed everyone in the arena a grand view of the artists, and Reba played to each corner with equal time. Of course the crowd went wild and rose to their feet for the classics like “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia” and her short medley of “Somebody Should Leave’ and “My Broken Heart”, but even her new “Turn on Your Radio” had people on their feet again, clapping, dancing and excited for what else the new CD may have in store. Reba gives genuine thanks to her fans for the support she’s enjoyed over the last 20 years and one can feel the sincerity of her appreciation. “Does He Love You” brought Lee Ann back to the stage for the duet as the performers faced each other on opposite corners, staring each other down, making you feel the tension of the two women the song portrays. A touching moment came when Reba talked about her father and of growing up on a working cattle ranch . She then took a seat on a stool under the spotlight as she so sweetly gave us “The Greatest Man I Never Knew”, bringing this blogger and I suspect a large amount of people, to shed a tear or two.

Even though I didn’t know who “Barbara Jean” was, it was obvious pretty quickly that this blonde bombshell who came bounding onto the stage in a George Strait T-shirt, carrying a beer, was a character from Reba’s TV show and she was quite funny. I do think the comic skit lasted a tad longer than it should have, but when Melissa Peterman started the C – A – T – S chant, she immediately earned herself a huge fan base in Rupp Arena. All in all she was entertaining and it was a good lead to Reba’s theme song from the show “I’m a Survivor”.

I won’t list all of the Reba songs we were privileged to enjoy, but you can trust that Reba put on a SHOW. Her encore was my personal all time favorite female country song and my favorite moment of the night. A bright yellow taxi brought our red headed beauty through the crowd and back to the stage. She stepped out of that cab in a “fancy dancin’ dress” that was red and “fit her good” . There stood Fancy, just like the story had painted her and Reba told Fancy’s story in song for us with enormous passion.

A fifteen minute intermission and band change later, the King of Country music himself, Mr. George Strait, appeared. His voice as strong and beautiful as ever, George’s entertainment is his song. He could just as easily have sat on a stool the entire set and delivered beautiful note after note to his adoring crowd. Instead he tried to use the four corners of the centered stage as well, strolling slowly from corner to corner every couple of songs. It seemed almost awkward at times. If you are looking for a quick moving, dancing, jumping country star to wow you with tricks and fancy footwork, Mr Strait is not your guy. I could listen to George Strait all day long. And listening to him is all his biggest fans desire. He need do nothing more than open his mouth and sing. He opened with his newest title track “Twang”, followed by “Oceanfront Property”. Other giants included “The Fireman,” “Heartland,” “She’ll Leave You With a Smile” “Give It Away” and one of my favorite George Strait songs, “The Chair”. 90 minutes of solid George Strait hits, one right after another seemed to put the audience in a much quieter, more subdued, albeit comfortable state, rising only occasionally for some of his more upbeat tunes. The encore brought him back to the stage for 3 more tunes including the ever famous “All My Ex’s Live in Texas”.

I have to give a shout out to the bands and backup singers that these people bring to the stage with them. They are absolutely incredible! Each band was amazing and backed their singers with everything they needed to give top notch performances.

Overall the night was quite an enjoyable experience. It would seem more fitting to have had Reba follow George, building from the more low key to the super power, ending the entire concert with that fabulous production of Fancy. I expected and would have loved to have seen Reba and George do at least ONE duet at the end. It didn’t happen and that for me, was a little disappointing.

Blogged by: Lori Johnson
Photography by: Paul Hooper