1.30.2015
Dusty Armadillo || Rootstown, Ohio
WQMX Charity Concert
Michael Ray & Kristian Bush
Michael Ray:
I didn’t know what to expect from rising star Michael Ray when I heard his name
during advertisements for this event. Well let me tell ya, from the moment he
hit the stage I was a fan. I was immediately captivated by his voice and the
lyrics that he was singing. Just in case ya don’t already know, this guy can SING. He blew me away with the variation
in his sound from one song to the next, and I couldn’t get enough. Not only did
he sing his own music, but he threw in a few covers too. Every girl in the bar
went crazy when he threw it back circa the 90’s to sing a little Backstreet
Boys. My favorite cover wasn’t the 90’s pop hit but rather a song by a country
legend, Folsom Prison Blues. It’s not often that I listen to an artist cover
Mr. Johnny Cash and feel that they’ve done him justice; well that wasn’t the
case here. Johnny Cash himself should be
proud of how well Michael Ray sang his 1st hit. MR is an artist
that I would go see in concert again & again. The energy that he puts into
his music is something that I desire in any artist that I find myself watching
on stage.
Michael Ray is gonna take Nashville & country music by storm, just
you wait & see.
Kristian Bush: You’ve all probably heard his name in reference to being half of the
duo Sugarland. But Kristian Bush himself is a new artist. He’s got his
own songs that make you wanna dance and have a good time. That doesn’t mean he
won’t throw a few Sugarland classics into his set list every now and then. His
personality is something that will make you smile from ear to ear. He isn’t
afraid to say what he’s thinkin’ or interact with the crowd. He makes sure that
everyone in the bar gets what they came for; a damn good time. And you’ll get
just that as he makes ya laugh and dance along to his catchy tunes. I’ve always
been a fan of Sugarland & their song Baby Girl is one of the first songs I
ever heard about Nashville, but I can confidentially say I’m a fan of Kristian
Bush as a new solo artist.
Not only were both artists able to draw in the
attention of the audience, but they were able to do it acoustically. That’s an
accomplishment when the show is taking place in a crowded bar and you’ve got
nothin’ but your voice & your guitar.
This concert was a spur of the moment decision for me,
so I kept my outfit pretty simple by just pairing my go-to black Johnny Cash
tee with a pair of jeans, a leather jacket, cowboy boots, & my Free People
American flag scarf.
I’m glad I made the choice to take in the concert
vibes at the Dusty on Friday night. I discovered a new favorite artist, Michael
Ray, who immediately took hold of the #2 spot in my list of artists who I will
endlessly support & promote. I also was able to see an artist who I already
knew and loved, Kristian Bush, but I was able to watch as he took off on his
own path separate from the one I knew him from. These artists are only starting
out on their respective paths and I am personally looking forward to watching
them gain all of the recognition they deserve.
Kristian Bush said it best himself, “Music should do
either two things: shake your hips or explode your heart”.
xox
Christy
xox
Christy
