Paisley’s walk on water

Brad Paisley H2O Tour Review

There’s something about Chicago for country star Brad Paisley. Maybe it’s because his wife, Kimberly Williams, spent time in the area when she attended Northwestern or maybe because Chicago has one of the largest country radio stations, and fan base, in the business. What that connection might … [Read more...]

Throwdown’s 1, 2, 3 punch

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With a combined total of nearly 10 straight hours of music, country stars packed the Southwest suburban First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, Saturday. The term packed, shouldn’t be taken lightly. With over 20 acts converging on the Country Throwdown Tour, two support stages were brought in to accommodate … [Read more...]

…and Martina rode on the moon

Martina McBride, Trace Adkins and Sarah Buxton performed for a near-capacity crowd in Northern Illinois.DeKalb, Ill. – Billed appropriately as the “Shine All Night” tour, co-headliners Martina McBride and Trace Adkins lived up to their promise with a near-celestial experience for fans. While … [Read more...]

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 … [Read more...]

Stars Still Shined at Country Music Fest

CONCERT REVIEWCHICAGO - 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 … [Read more...]

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 … [Read more...]

Big & Rich comin’ on strong

Live ReviewIt’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, … [Read more...]

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 … [Read more...]

Little Big Town at Joe’s Bar

LIVE REVIEWCountry 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, … [Read more...]