Only Country Music…

LIVE REVIEW:

Last minute plans led me to Joe’s Bar on Friday to catch a favorite local group GRIMM TAYLOR. Walking into the show, I knew that one of Nashville’s newest faces, the Trailer Choir, was billed as the evening headliner. At the time, I was half as excited to see them.

A few months back, Trailer Choir released a free music video download of their single “Rockin’ The Beer Gut.” Because it was free, the video made its way into my collection. Don’t get me wrong, I like a corny country song as much as the next guy but this single was probably not the best prelude to Friday’s performance.

To my surprise, Trailer Choir’s live performance nearly blew my double-wide expectations out of the park! The trio, comprised of two guys and a girl, is lead buy a guy named Butter.  Joining him is Big Vinny’s, whose signature is a trucker style camo-hat and bib overalls and the girl, Crystal, who you can’t help but think why is this girl is partnered with these average Joes.   All quirkiness aside, their highly energetic act, along with the $1 long-necks, transformed the nearly sedated crowd into a fun-loving, rough and rowdy mix.

Trailer Choir’s set list ranged from classic country to ’80 pop hits. Memorable cuts included the trio’s own “Rollin’ Through The Sunshine” and “In My Next 5 Beers” to a cover of Jerry Reed’s famous “East Bound and Down” and of course their very own “Rockin’ the Beer Gut”.

While Trailer Choir’s lead is a great entertainer, Big Vinny can easily steal the show. The 400-pound Tennessee-bred performer worked the small stage with everything from trading harmonies to his amazing “snake” dance, which he busted-out right on the small stage.

After this experience, I can see why Toby Keith signed the trio to his Show Dog Nashville label as their uniqueness and energy really made for a great show. Now, the question is, will this energy translate into a full-album.

Download “Off The Hillbilly Hook – EP” on iTunes.

Stars Still Shined at Country Music Fest

CONCERT REVIEW

CHICAGO – The rain may have down-poured but the stars still shined at the 2009 Chicago Country Music Festival. Country stars that is.

Chicago’s free, two-day country music festival featured a star-studded country music lineup including Miranda Lambert, Jamey Johnson, John Rich and a special appearance by Lee Ann Womack.

While the weather on Saturday may have dampened the spirits of some, the die-hards fans had one heck of a show. Miranda Lambert and Jamey Johnson headlined the first night of the festival.

Lambert began her set with an appropriate cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Have You Ever Seen The Rain.” The rest, Lambert rocked the crowd to her array of hits including her most recent single, “White Liar” from her new album “Revolution” and stuck to her guns by closing the night with her biggest hit, “Gunpowder and Lead.”

Johnson seemed a bit livelier this time around as he ran through his typical, yet always inspiration, set. The long-bearded performer put on a smirk and puffed his breath into cold air when he reached the lyrics “…you could almost seem my breath…” during the performance of his hit song “In Color”. The cold Chicago night made for quite the coincidence.

Prior to his performance, Johnson made a special appearance during the CMA Songwriter Series, which made a special stop at the festival during its three-city tour. The series, hosted by songwriter Bob DiPiero, featured some Nashville’s greatest songwriters including Scotty Emerick, Dean Dillon and singer/songwriter Lee Ann Womack. Held on the festival’s Americana Stage, the jam-session style show was not only an awesome addition to the festival lineup but most of the event was covered by a large tent saving the crowed from the rain.

The Chicago Country Music Festival wouldn’t be complete without the lineup of some of Chicagoland’s great local talent and country music’s newest up-and-comers. Suburban bands like Lucky Town and The August and one of Nashville’s newest faces, The Coy Taylor Band, were evenly displaced over three performance stages. The talent this festival boasts is absolutely amazing. The festival even offered a dance tent with line dancing instructions and a Kid’s Corral.

- Scott Winterroth – scott@countrymusicchicago.com

Editor’s Note:

On behalf of the country music fans of Chicago, a special thank you goes out to Mayor Daley, the City of Chicago and the Office of Special Events for hosting such a wonderful, free event in the front yard of our great city.

Country Rocks the Zoo

LIVE REVIEW:

Familiar faces made for one awesome concert in an unconventional space.

We would hate to say that country music stars Josh Gracin’s and Darryl Worley’s music is for the birds but on Sunday, it was. It was also for all of the other types of animals, reptiles and whatever else can be found at a zoo.

In celebration of Brookfield Zoo’s 75th Anniversary, Gracin and Worley performed a special concert on the lawn of the zoo’s East Mall that was so awesome, the snakes managed to clap. During the stage change, concertgoers even received a special introduction to one of the Zoo’s beautiful bald eagles.

As for the show itself, Gracin seems to have his way with fast paced songs. With hits like “Nothin’ to Lose”, “Favorite State of Mind” and even a cover of Garth Brooks’ “Ain’t Going Down Till the Sun Comes Up,” he seams to just rip through them ease. While on stage, the former season-two American Idol contestant remarked that he couldn’t find a way to fit Chicago or Illinois into his hit song “Favorite State of Mind,” but from the look of the crowd, it didn’t seem to matter.

Worley, who is off the release of his newest album, “Sounds Like Life” performed some new cuts off the album and his greatest hits like “Have You Forgotten?” and “Awful Beautiful Life.” His set was highly energetic and it was refreshing to see Worley perform live.

In addition to Gracin and Worley, local artists Cross County Junction and Erica Iozzo were on hand to add to the party.   

Between the artists, the beautiful weather and the help of AStar Promotions, in our opinion, Zoo Tunes will definitely go down in the Zoo’s history book as one heck of a show.

Fore more photos of Zoo Tunes, visit the CMC Word on the Street Gallery or upload your photos from the show to our Facebook Fan Page. 

scott@countrymusicchicago.com

Big & Rich comin’ on strong

Live Review

It’s been almost half a decade since the Big & Rich released their debut album “Horse of a Different Color”. Since then, fans have learned to appreciate the duo’s harmonic songs, unpredictable twists and semi-rowdy performances. While recent rumors expose a possible breakup, Sunday’s concert was almost relaxing to see both John Rich and Big Kenny, with his large top hat, enter the stage for a performance that was anything but a breakup song.

The Mega Center at Pheasant Run, located in West Suburban, St. Charles, Ill. was the only Chicago area venue on the duo’s limited engagement summer tour. While they performed all of their mega, Big & Rich hits like “Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy”, “Holy Water” and “Lost in this Moment” it was evident that both entertainers had some side work to share with the energetic crowd. Both Rich and Big Kenny performed new music that you won’t find on a Big & Rich album. One of the most obvious solo songs of the night included Rich’s recent hit “Shuttin’ Detroit Down” from his album, “Son of a Preacher Man,” released earlier this year.

What confirmed this was a truly Big & Rich show was when I witnessed a stagehand grab a fire extinguisher before the show. I immediately thought, “Only at a Big & Rich concert.” During the encore, with the help of Cowboy Troy, John Rich lit an acoustic guitar, doused in lighter fluid, right on the Mega Center stage.

Regardless of rumors, solo albums and what sometimes seems to be different view between Rich and Big Kenny, the duo always brings-it-on whey they perform. Their perfection for the music, ability to entertain and most importantly, their understanding of their fans allow the entertainers to immediately captivate the audience almost as if they were singing directly to the hearts and minds of hard-working Americans.

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.

Little Big Town at Joe’s Bar

LIVE REVIEW

Country music group, Little Big Town, played for a crowd that would have the Chicago Fire Department Commissioner shaking his head at the North Side venue, Saturday. The quartet, comprised of musicians Karen Fairchild, Phillip Sweet, Kimberly Schlapman, Jimi Westbrook, kept the sold-out, standing room only crowd pleased with performances of their chart topping hits like, “Bring it on Home”, “A Little More You” and their 2005 breakout hit, “Boondocks”.

Saturday’s performance marked the group’s second return to Joe’s Bar. Even though it was a gloomy, rainy day in Chicago, Fairchild remarked on how much they love Chicago, playing Joe’s Bar and most of all, taking advantage of Chicago’s first-class shopping.

For an encore, the band returned to the stage to play “Life in a Northern Town”, the ‘80s remake that has earned Little Big Town along with Sugarland and Jake Owen a nomination for an Academy of Country Music Award for Vocal Event of the Year. Little Big Town is also up for Top Vocal Group of the year.

CMC

Check out Little Big Town photos from Joe’s Bar on our Facebook Page. Hit us with your best shot, upload your fan photos!

 

On the Web:

LittleBigTown.com