Two nights, two concerts

Two nights, two concerts and one amazing experience…

Chicago’s famed country music venue is living up to its Academy of Country Music Nightclub of the Year title by transplanting the best of Music City into the Windy City. Joe’s Bar, located in Chicago’s Near North Side, hosts a mix of mainstream country music acts with local and aspiring talent to supply fans with a first-class country music experience.

On Thursday, Montgomery Gentry, one of country music’s seasoned national touring acts, took the stage for a private performance sponsored by Jim Beam to celebrating the duo’s 10 years of entertaining and their recent induction into the Grand Ole Opry. While on Friday, Lady Antebellum took the stage for an invitation only performance sponsored by Verizon Wireless. Both Montgomery Gentry and Lady Antebellum presented fans with an unforgettable experience and while event tickets were not available for purchase, corporate sponsorships helped foot the bill creating an ultimate, easy-on-the-pocket-book, experience.

Montgomery Gentry, comprised of Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry, have charted more than 20 country music singles and have sold-out large performance venues making their Thursday show extra special being that it was held in such an intimate style venue. But their performances was far from no-frills as the duo seemed charged up with extra energy as they even busted out a little bit of synchronized dancing. The jammed packed crowd was quickly singing along to their mega hits like “Speed” and “Roll with Me.” The duo reserved their extremely popular singles “My Town” and “Gone” for their encore.

Lady Antebellum, comprised of Nashville newcomers Charles Kelley, Dave Haywood and Hillary Scott, might not have the years under their belts like Montgomery Gentry but their performance Friday was second-to-none. The trio hammered out hits from their self-titled album including their chart-topping hits “Love Don’t Live Here”, “I Run To You” and “Lookin’ For a Good Time.” Kelly and Scott trade vocals in most of the trio’s songs and combined with Haywood the trio quickly amazed the audience with their natural ability to sing and perform.

The general admission, standing-room only style of Joe’s Bar is always jammed packed with country music fans. It seems that someone is always standing in your way and the by the end of the night the room temperature seems to mimic something of the Sahara Desert. With every act, as soon as the performers take the stage the audience seems to immediately forget the nuisances and quickly become fascinated by the artists, their music and the experience.