“I really am in awe of your city and your people, Chicago. Thank you for making me a part of it tonight,” said Paisley in a tweet after his Friday night performance.

Being one of the most anticipated country concerts of the summer, it’s safe to say that fans at the nearly-packed First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre felt the same awe, and devotion, for the country star. Even in a season where concert sales have been on the decline and the temperatures pushing triple digits, the incline of the southwest suburban amphitheatre lawn was packed with area music fans.

Paisley opened with his current radio single, “Water”, and crafted the remainder of his set mostly with his number ones. Except for a few comedy infused interludes, Paisley only stopped to lend his two cents on growing up, prior to “Letter to Me” and tips for being a guy prior to “I’m Still a Guy”. Harnessing the power of recorded video, famed television star Andy Griffith join Paisley for a tribute like version of “Waitin’ on a Woman” and later Alison Krauss appeared for the duet portion of their 2004 hit, “Whiskey Lullaby”.

– View H2O Tour photos in the Word on the Street Gallery –

It would be unfair to attribute all of Friday night’s success to Paisley’s likeable quirkiness and heartfelt ballads. Country music stars Darius Rucker, along with Justin Moore, Josh Thompson, Steel Magnolia and Easton Corbin, joined Paisley on what is billed as the H2O Tour, complete with slip n’ slides and water themed entertainment.

Setting all of the water themed songs and pool references aside, the H2O Tour is to create awareness for Hope Through Healing Hands, a project to bring clean drinking water to impoverished areas. Something that Paisley, along with his tour mates, have championed for.

Mr. Paisley’s Set List:

Water
Online
American Saturday Night
Sweet Home Chicago intro
Wrapped Around
She’s Everything
You Do The Math
Celebrity
Waiting on a Woman
Catch all the Fish
Download on iTunes:
Letter To Me
Fishin’ in the Dark
Mud on the Tires
I’m Still a Guy
Whiskey Lullaby
The World
I’m Gonna Miss Her
Welcome To The Future
Then

Encore:

Ticks
Alcohol

Eric Church

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 the Tour’s mega lineup which included a range from local songwriters to country mega-duo, Montgomery Gentry.

While this type of all-day concert extravaganza has been done before in the music business, it was refreshing addition to the same-old country concert scene. Not to mention the amazing range of talent available at the show. Best of all, with doors opening and acts beginning at 1 p.m., by the time the traditional openers took to the stage, there was already a decent crowd forming to cheer them on.

But, for what it’s worth, concurrent acts always come at a price. For the mega-fan, juggling Saturday’s set-times created a bit of a conundrum as the support stages were on opposite sides of the park. Although most would agree, having too much music, on a hot sunny day, really isn’t a bad thing.

Country Throwdown Tour 2010
Review in Photos:

[Show as slideshow]

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 the Northern Illinois University indoor stadium doesn’t have a retractable roof, with the help of some computer generated graphics and McBride’s power vocals, the stars still dazzled during the Sunday-night performance.

During the show, McBride “moving” experience came when the singer hopped aboard a giant neon moon that gracefully carried her across the stadium ceiling, while performing, to eventually land on a remote stage. McBride returned to the main stage, via the traditional walking method, performing “This One’s for the Girls”.

Approximately halfway into her set, McBride admitted that she was recovering from a cold and wasn’t sure what to expect. Her coughing between songs didn’t go unnoticed but what may have been bothering her internally, fortunately, had little effect on her delivery.  Which was proved by the stellar performance of her hit, “Independence Day,” and her current single, “Wrong Baby Wrong Baby Wrong”.

While McBride’s stage presence has always been a bit angelical, on the other end of the spectrum, Adkins stuck with what he knows best, songs about scars, cars and broken hearts. As noted during his performance, for the long-haired, rough-and-ready entertainer, it’s not always about the “hot momma” and the “badonkadonk” songs. With the help of the music video being projected in the background, it was a rarity to find a dry-eye during his performance of the 2007 Grammy nominated hit, “You’re Gonna Miss This”.

Mid way through his set, Adkins noted that he’ll be re-teaming up with his buddy Blake Shelton to perform “Hillbilly Bone” at the Academy of Country Music Awards on April 18. In addition to the performance, their collaborative effort landed them an ACM nomination for Vocal Event of the Year.

Starting the night off right was country cutie, Sarah Buxton. Accompanied by her guitarist, Jedd Hughes, Buxton shared a few songs from her debut album including her version of “Stupid Boy”, the country radio hit penned by Buxton and made famous by Keith Urban in 2006. Buxton’s self-titled album was released in February.

Being a Sunday evening, the crowd was a bit somber than expected but, by concert end, the Buxton, Adkins and McBride combo – or BAM – brought a whole new meaning to the “All Night” tour.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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