Concert Review: FGL, Frankie Ballard, and T Rhett

1.15.2015

Huntington Center || Toledo, OH

Night One of the Anything Goes Tour

Frankie Ballard, Thomas Rhett, Florida Georgia Line

Frankie Ballard: I just cannot get enough of FB, hence why this was my 6^th show of his. This guy cannot give a bad performance. Watching Frankie perform refreshes my soul because he gives so much of himself to his fans during his set and overall with his music. Whether he’s singin’ one of his #1 songs or killin’ it on his guitar, he does something to me that few other artists have the ability to do. I might be a little biased when I say this, but keep an eye on this guy…this is only the beginning for him. He’s on the fast lane to becoming a superstar, and I’m betting this is gonna be a big year for him. He’s also one of the sweetest guys you could meet, so he’s more than deserving of the success.

Thomas Rhett: I had no expectations when I saw Thomas Rhett’s name on the lineup for this tour, I had never seen him perform prior to this show but I love gettin’ in a jam sess when he comes on my radio. Let me tell ya, he blew me away from the minute he stepped onto the stage. His set list included a few songs from his upcoming album that’s comin’ later in the year. He also mixed it up by closing out his set with a song that’s been playing everywhere, Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars’ Uptown Funk. He had the hat, glasses, and the dance moves. That boy can dance. Ps. His wife was in attendance looking beautiful as ever.

Florida Georgia Line: Prior to the show I had seen the guys once while they were out on tour with Jason Aldean. Well, they gave him a run for his money. FGL puts on one of the best shows in country music. It wasn’t just a concert; it was a party with thousands of their friends. That’s what they make it feel like. They do not leave that stage until they have given the crowd every ounce of energy inside of their body. Not only can you see the passion they have for what they do, but you can feel it when you’re watching them run around from the farthest corner on one side of the stage to the other so they can engage with as many fans as possible. BK dances around that stage with so much soul that you can’t take your eyes off of him because he captivates you, and Tyler has got some dance moves of his own that captivate you in a different kinda way but he also reaches down into his soul to hit notes that you didn’t even know were comin’. And when they come together on stage to do their so called “bro country” thing, the room is in awe. The chemistry between them while performing is something so special to watch, as they pass each other and bump fists you know you’re seeing two best friends living out their wildest dreams together. The highlight of the set had to be when BK & Tyler went off of stage only to come back on with swim trunks and Jordan’s. It was time to get our Sundaze on. Following that the guys did a mashup of  Eminem’s Forgot About Dre, Wiz Khalifa’s We Dem Boyz, Garth Brook’s Friends in Low Places, and Bruno Mars’ Treasure. They didn’t forget to give their beautiful women a shout out for putting up with the crazy life they live; B.Cole was in the crowd, Hayley was with family in Cali.

The best part of my night was before the show even happened, at the FGL Anything Goes VIP Party. I was able to meet the guys and it was unbelievable. The party also included a short acoustic performance, where they performed four songs.

It only felt right to rep my dope Tribe Kelley threads to the show so I chose to pair my “One Hit” tee with a TK ball cap, some ripped up black skinny jeans, a hooded jean jacket with some plaid patches, and my favorite Timberland boots. BK even digged the choice.

I have nothing but positive vibes and mad love for all of the guys on this tour. I’ve been a fan of each artist since I first heard their songs, but with this show I have only fallen deeper into their music. Their passion for their music and their fans inspires me. It just does something to me when I’m watching an artist do their thing up on stage, and the feeling it gives me is indescribable. I could watch every night of this tour and never get tired of it. 

xox
Christy

CONCERT REVIEW: Kristian Bush & Michael Ray

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 1^st 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

Concert Review: John King

“Everybody knows tonight, tonight, tonight, tonight, is gonna be, the best night of our lives.” Well, when you go to a John King show, you will definitely be feeling that way very early on.  

On January 10, I headed about 20 miles east to the Grant Street Music Room in Clarkesville, GA, and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Situated in a multiplex venue that included a restaurant and bowling alley already hopping with activity, in the back ballroom was a corner stage anticipating the arrival of a hometown boy from Northeast GA. One who is solidly carving out a place on the country music landscape – Mr. John King.

Affectionately dubbed a #hometownthrowdown, this show was truly that. As soon as you walked in the venue, you could feel the audience swelling with the pride of the locals, and the anticipation for a sampling of what Demorest’s hometown boy has been wowing concert goers all over the nation with. And John did not disappoint.

Taking the stage at about 9:30, John was a full on burst of energy and electric from the first note to blast from the speakers. Jumping right in, the pace of the show was set to full throttle to the delight of those occupying every inch of space by the stage and dance floor, to the very last person sitting in the back corner. John launched into songs from his current EP, Something In The Water, and those already familiar with his work were singing every line, while those not so familiar with the album, were still having blast, fully engaged, fist pumping along, wishing they knew the words too. As I watched the show I had a thought that kept recurring – “This guy needs a bigger stage!” John is a fireball, with an energy and presence so big that I’m sure it would be felt all the way to the back corner of any amphitheater, or the highest seat in any arena. He is so engaging that nothing exists outside of a big ol’ soiree with yourself, John, and couple hundred of your closest friends for a few hours, which is exactly what a show should do – provide an escape and place for fun. Check. Complete. Mark it off the list of awesomeness for the night.

Not only was John giving his all for his performance, so was his band. They were a very cohesive unit, with each of them wanting to give the audience a memorable and fun experience, even leaving the stage and taking to the seats to include those folks in the action. You could plainly see their individuality, but you could also see the bond between John and his band. It’s not the John King show, no matter what the headline says. It’s The John King Band show. I felt they were more like brothers having a Saturday night jam sesh; not John King and accompaniment, which is perfect in it’s irony seeing as John’s drummer, Andrew, actually IS his brother! But that aside, it is easy to see it was a collective effort to give the fans the best show possible. At one point, John even gave a personal shoulder ride for one of his guitarists into the crowd to while he slayed his solo. That’s trust right there! It also just added to an already wowing performance. 

After listening to the music, you see why John is making such an impression on country radio and is playing some of the hottest venues around.  It’s infectious. The songs are creatively constructed, both melodically and lyrically, and just plain out fun. They are what one might call #earcandy – songs you cant get out of your head, and songs you don’t want to get out of your head. If he’s belting out the song he is probably most known for, his current single, “Tonight, Tonight”, or giving you a sneak peek at songs coming soon to radio, such as “On Your Lips”, or even relating his affinity for “Hooker Shoes” and making you giggle just a little bit, you can tell that John enjoys performing them, just as much as his fans love hearing them and singing them back. I believe in music, there are songs, and then there are SONGS. These definitely fall into that second category. Songs you will hear all around you and may even like for the moment. SONGS you don’t forget.

Of all my experiences that night, the most profound to me is my last observation and possibly most important one. John loves his fans. No. He LOVES them. Genuinely. You see that he wants them to have a good time. You see that he wants them fired up. And you see that he really cares and wants them to know how much he appreciates them and their support of his dream and career of being an artist. You get the impression he wants to make his fans feel like a million bucks. Whether it’s going around and giving everyone, and I mean everyone, a slap on the hand during his song, “High Five”, or a smile or a nod from the mic stand, or maybe just simply looking you in the eye and really connecting with you for a moment, you feel like he wants you to know he is glad you are there. But the best part is, you can really feel that he means it. There is a reciprocity about the relationship between John and his fans. What he gives to the fans in his music and performance, and his connectedness, the fans give back to him in their adulation and love. I made a point to look around at the faces of those standing there with me. It was plain to see the absolute joy exuding from every person in that room. To put it simply, it was a party, and everyone felt welcomed to be there.

Trust me when I tell you I am a seasoned concert-goer. I’ve seen the bad, the good, and the out of this world as far as shows go. This show was definitely the latter by miles. I couldn’t stop thinking of enough superlatives for John. For his band. For the music. For the overall performance. It was all top notch, and even better than some of the bigger and more well known acts I have seen, even with all their production. I came back and could not stop talking about such an amazing experience as I had. I stopped everyone I could get to listen to me, and told them they just had to check out John for themselves, set on getting as many converts as I could. It’s just when you meet and see someone as special as John, you want everyone to see what you do, and to experience that magic for themselves. It is certain that John has cemented himself on my list of artists I am super proud of and proud to support and plan to do so as much as I can. The sky is truly the limit for this guy, and I want to be a part of that ride and watch it unfold. It’s so fun to watch people’s dreams come true, but it’s even better when seeing theirs, inspire your own. While this one  performance blew me away, I have a feeling I haven’t seen anything yet. Buckle your seat belts, y’all. Liftoff in 3…2…1…

xox

Amber