#CONCERTREVIEW - IF PICTURES PAINT A THOUSAND WORDS, JIMMY FORTUNE'S MUSIC PAINTED A MASTERPIECE AT THE LIBERTY SHOWCASE THEATRE

Artist: Jimmy Fortune

Venue: Liberty Showcase Theatre - Liberty, NC

Date: 12/9/2023

Reviewer: Jennifer Smith

Photos: Jennifer Smith / Lovinlyrics

I don't even know where to begin with this review because when something is perfect, you just can't do it any more justice than that one very word, but I'm gonna try my best.

The top item on my musical bucket list has always been to have the opportunity to hear Jimmy Fortune perform live and I was "fortunate" enough to be able to check that box off Saturday night when he brought his Christmas show to the Liberty Showcase Theatre in Liberty, NC. Not only was I blessed to be able to attend the show, the planets lined up for me and I was able to spend a few minutes in private with him before the show and to let him know personally how much his songs and gift of songwriting have meant to me, to thank him for years of personal memories and for caring about the message in his music. What a gracious and genuinely kind man he is. I will forever consider him a blessing in my life even if I only met him one time for 5 minutes because his music represents who he is and his music has blessed me and so many others.

A little background on Jimmy's career:

• Jimmy toured, sang and performed a member of the legendary Statler Brothers for 21 years, writing their #1 hit song, “Elizabeth”, following that up with 2 more #1 hits, “My Only Love” and “Too Much On My Heart”. Jimmy also wrote the Top 10 song “Forever” and was a co-writer on another Top 10 hit, “More Than a Name on a Wall”. Jimmy is a member of the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame, the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Virginia Musical Hall of Fame.

• When the Statler Brothers retired 23 years ago in 2002, Jimmy went solo and became one of the most loved voices in gospel music. He partnered with the Gaither Music Group and has released many chart busting albums and DVDs. His "God and Country" CD secured a Dove Award win in 2020 for Country/Gospel/Roots Album of the Year.

• 2020 also brought Jimmy the opportunity to form Fortune/Walker/Rogers/Isaacs, later to become known as "Brothers of the Heart" releasing  CD and DVD called "Brotherly Love" that debuted #16 on the Billboard All Genre Chart. Their latest project, "Listen To The Music", was recently released and debuted at #32 on the Billboard All Genre chart and #1 on the Christian chart.

The Show:

Jimmy, his fiddle player/vocalist Jenifer Wrinkle, guitarist Stuie French (of The French Family Band) and the bass player whose name I unfortunately missed (but he was outstanding) took the stage which was decked out in all it's beautiful Christmas glory. A night filled with top shelf music, stories, laughter, fellowship and memories with other fans and a thoughtful celebration of the birth of Christ and the Christmas season was just beginning. This year, having been a tough one for Jimmy who recently had a quintuple heart bypass, seems to have brought a new meaning to several of the songs he's sung for years because tonight he sang each one like it was the first time and he sang them with a strong obvious emotion which brought tears to many eyes in the crowd. 

Jimmy started the night with a song that he wrote for everyone his music touches personally and I hope he releases it, "One Song at A Time". The lyrics of this song are so true

"Hello, it's good to see you. 

 You know it's been way too long.

  I've been out here making music

  I see a face in every song

 You're the reason I keep singing

  Love to hear you sing along

  And now I want you to come with me

  In this journey that I'm on.

  So let's sing to all the good times

  Sing to everything that's good in this life

  Change this crazy old world around us

  One song at a time."

He sang songs that made you think of and truly appreciate the reason for the Christmas season with"It's Christmas Time Again", a beautiful rendition of the favorite classic "Silent Night", a new one which I also hope he releases called "The Road to Bethlehem", another beloved classic "Away in a Manger" which was sung beautifully by Jennifer Wrinkle, a fantastic rockin' version of "Daddy Looked a Lot Like Santa" performed with Stuie French, and an emotional newer Christmas classic "Mary Did You Know" that didn't leave too many dry eyes. As someone who has changed my heart and my perspective and started my long overdue journey back to Jesus this year, this will forever stay with me.

He also sang the hits and the crowd was enthusiastic, singing along and you could see expressions of appreciated memories on the faces around me, as well as my own. "Flowers on the Wall" filled my heart with the memory of being a little girl on a road trip with my parents, standing on the hump between the seats, singing with my dad in my off key little girl voice and just having the best time. That will stay with me every day of my life. The room fell silent as he sang of the emotions after the loss of "Elizabeth". You could see people in the room remembering the love of those they also lost. He sang of struggling with the pain of a love gone in a different direction and trying to find the reasons why with "Too Much on My Heart", a situation that most of us have unfortunately experienced. He brought the crowd to it's feet with the classic Michael Martin Murphey song, "Wildfire" about the love between a young woman and the horse she loved that escaped and went missing. This is another song that I can't hear without thinking about singing with my dad. 

He brought the night back to Jesus with my personal favorite, a song inspired by his granddaughter, "I Love You More." This is something I have always said to my mom every night before bed. She tells me she loves me and I always come back with "I love you more." This song also has a deeper meaning than the obvious, the meaning of a love stronger than any love we'll ever have on earth, the love of Jesus and how He loved each of us more as He hung on the cross. He made this one even more special by adding it as an extra last minute song and dedicating it to me because I had simply asked if it was on the setlist. To hear him sing this amazing testimony of love to a room full of silent listeners is something that will always mean the world to me and never leave my heart. 

"I love you more than you’ll ever know

 When you can’t hold on I’ll never let you go

 So let me love you until you love you again

 For everything you may hate yourself for

 I love you more"

He closed out the night 2 songs. He started with "I Believe", a song inspired by the prayers of his mother and how she deeply believed in the love of Christ and that place called Calvary. He talked about how Jesus saved his life this year and talked about how strongly he believes that He is saving each of us every day. He said it perfectly when he said "If you have someone who prays for you, that is the biggest gift." Pray for someone - it doesn't have to be a long prayer, a rehearsed prayer or a perfect prayer, only sincere. The last song was a true song of worship and praise, "Joy to the World". He had everyone on their feet and you could feel the power of the Holy Spirit in the room. I can promise you that not one person in attendance walked out of that theatre the same person as when they entered. Good music has a way of changing you whether you realize it or not. Tonight was a night of change, a night of love and night that won't be forgotten. Thank you to the wonderful staff of the Liberty Theatre for bringing in the best performers.

Thank you Jimmy. 

We love you more.

CONCERT REVIEW: T.GRAHAM BROWN MAKES A COUNTRY MUSIC PIT STOP IN SWANSBORO, NC

 

All Photo credits on this page: Jennifer Smith

The master of country soul, T. Graham Brown, made a pit stop on Saturday, July 23 at the Carteret County Speedway in Swansboro, NC.

What a perfect day to be on the NC coast, the weather was beautiful (but hot as Memphis fried chicken). Being local to the area, I can't believe I had never been to the speedway before. I always like to review the venues in addition to the performances. What a great location for a concert! The track is an asphalt short track with plenty of bleacher seating and VIP suites, a central area in the middle of the track for stage set up, a great little bar/grill called Moonshiners (yay REAL bathrooms and not just porta-potties!) and a camping area, all ten minutes to the beach! It's a very safe, family friendly place. And as if just being a great venue itself isn't enough, the owner, Bobby Lowery and the staff were fantastic. Their motto is God, County, then racing. They strive to create and maintain an environment that supports families, the community and the betterment of one another. I had the pleasure of talking to Bobby for a bit and he told me something that stuck with me, "I don't believe in a hand out, I believe in a hand up." That's what he does, he wants to help people and that's not something you find in venue owners too much anymore, sadly. It's not what the people who come to his venue can do for him, it's what he can do for the. He also runs a large thrift shop in my town, about 20 min away, called "Second Blessings Community Outreach", a Christ centered organization dedicated to assisting the family, providing them with material needs. They're really a special group of people.

The ticket prices for this show were very reasonable. The VIP package ($50.00) included special seating under a tent with tables and chairs close to the stage, a table with appetizers in the restaurant (Jersey Mike's subs, charcuterie boards with meats, cheeses and fruits, potato chips and dip, brownies and 2 free drinks), and a meet and greet with T.Graham Brown and American Idol season 11 contestant, Chelsea Sorrell. I absolutely LOVED the VIP set up. T. Graham and Chelsea came in and talked to every single person in that room for 2.5 hrs. They didn't do the usual "shake, sign, snap and run", they stayed and were genuinely interested in the stories people had to tell, to find out more about who their fans are and to just enjoy themselves. I wish more artists would take the time to be genuinely interested instead of acting like meeting their fans is an obligation. It just had a different, more relaxed and genuine feel to it than other meet and greets. Even those who didn't pay for the VIP package still get to spend time with TGB and Chelsea outside of the restaurant area before the show.

The infield (I guess that's what you call the inside part of a race track anyway), was full of fans, not a crazy large crowd but a very pleasant and manageable gathering of the best kind of people - local music fans. Parents, kids and grandparents - they were all here for a good, clean, fun time. Runaway Train opened the show, but unfortunately due to other things going on,  I missed most of their opening set except the last song, but from what I did hear and the crowd reaction, they were good.  Now, let's get to Chelsea Sorrell (Runaway Train also provided "band aid" for her). Funny story here, but LONG before she hit the American Idol stage on Season 11, she was a part of the Chris Lane Band (yes, that Chris Lane). I used to help them with their promotions 12 years ago. The first time Chelsea and I actually met face to face was when they played together in 2015 in Burlington, NC. It was only fitting that the next time we were together with again with TGB. She's the sweetest human being. We spent the afternoon laughing and chatting it up about the "olden days". I just love her. This girl can sang. She had the crowd up and dancing, singing along and enjoying time together.

Before TGB and his band (love them, they're a great group of people, so much fun) hit the stage, we had a prayer circle in the bus. T, Sheila, myself and the band held hands in a circle in prayer. My heart was full. Then, about 8pm, T hit the stage to cheers and loud applause and played the hits that made TGB a household name in country music. This man. There is just something so special about "His T-Ness",  not just his vocals, but who he is as a person. His soul runs deep and his heart is huge. His attitude is always positive and that is such a wonderful thing to connect with in a time when things around us are anything but positive. He had the crowd smiling, laughing and dancing, just enjoying each other's company to the sounds of "I Tell It Like It Used to Be", "Darlene", "Memphis Women and Fried Chicken", "Come as You Were", "Brilliant Conversationalist", "Hell and High Water", "Moonshadow Road" and more. When he was ready to sing "Moonshadow Road", he motioned to a young boy standing by the stage to come up with him. His name was Whit and he was so cool. Whit wanted to surprise his grandparents who were in the crowd with a dedication of "Moonshadow Road" in honor of their anniversary of more than 40 years. It was a heartwarming thing to watch. When T started singing, couples were dancing. The anniversary couple were dancing as though it was their first dance all over again, looking into each other's eyes and smiling. You could feel the love. It made me smile. There was also a local woman in the crowd dancing with her great granddaughter who was probably still learning to stand. I could not stop watching them, it was so sweet. When we got a chance to talk, it turns out she was the cashier who rang me up the night before at one of our local restaurants and we remembered each other. She was so much fun, I think she danced and laughed through every song. And I have to say something about Sheila Brown. This woman works SO hard to make sure everything goes off as it should. She is constantly in motion, whether it be talking to the ticket booth, the caterers, the venue owner, the fans, or selling merch. She does it ALL and she does it for him. The love between these two is so obvious. Since the first time we met years ago, I have been "forever changed" because of these two wonderful people.

Added Bonus Tomfoolery:

When the show was over, T just HAD to take a lap around the track. I can't tell you how hard I laughed seeing this big lime green tour bus come around the corner, once really slow and then the second lap much faster. The band lined up at the finish line and did the "ZZ TOP" wave as it went by. It was magnificent. Stay tuned for video proof :-)

Huge thank you to EVERYONE for what is now known as "THE BEST NIGHT EVER ... AT LEAST IN 2022.". I appreciate you all!

You can catch T.Graham Brown and his band on the road and keep up to date on his latest news at www.tgrahambrown.com and on social media using the official links on his pages. There are fake pages out there posing as TGB, these links will ensure you are on the one and only official social media page. 

You can connect with Chelsea Sorrell on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Be sure to check out the Carteret County Speedway if you're in the eastern NC area, it's the best place!

Also stop by Second Blessings Thrift Shop located at 5178 US-70, Morehead City, NC 28557.

TRAVIS TRITT BRINGS MEMORIES, MUSIC AND LAUGHS TO ROANOKE RAPIDS THEATER

ARTIST: TRAVIS TRITT

VENUE: ROANOKE RAPIDS THEATER

CITY: ROANOKE RAPIDS, NC

DATE: 1/18/2020

REVIEWER: JENNIFER SMITH

Follow us on Twitter at @lovinlyrics

One of country music's biggest icons, Travis Tritt, brought his acoustic tour to the Roanoke Rapids Theater in Roanoke Rapids, NC on Saturday, January 18. This was by far one of the best shows I have ever had the pleasure to review, not only from a media perspective, but through the eyes of a fan. This show was a bucket list check mark for me, having been a huge fan of Travis and his music from day one. I've never had the chance to see him until now and I can't even begin to tell you the level of excitement I had leading up to this show. To put the cherry on top, this was an acoustic show, just Travis and his guitar. Those shows are the best because you not only get the music, you get the stories, emotion and the memories that go along with it. I wish I had been able to secure an interview and have a few minutes to talk with Travis before the show, to be able to simply thank him in person for the years of smiles he's brought to my face and to get his perspective on today's industry and how to help up and coming artists and share that with you, but unfortunately I wasn't able to get a final approval, but you can be sure it wasn't for lack of trying.

First, I need to say thank you to Julie and Allison of BarnBurner Promotions. I've dealt with many promotion teams over the past ten years while attending and reviewing shows at various venues and these girls deserve a pat on the back for the handling of this sold out show. I watched how they handled the "day of show" aspects from the ticket booth, the concession area, the merchandising area, the beer tables, the stage area, interaction with the patrons and their assistance of Travis and his band. This went off perfectly from what I observed - there was no obvious stressing out, no running around looking like things were out of control like you see at a lot of shows. These girls know their stuff and they handled it like true professionals. I always enjoy working with them and after a brief absence, am very glad to see them back in the game. I know when they're at the helm, it's always gonna be a great night. They're also so pleasant to deal with. They really are a huge asset for the Roanoke Rapids Theater.

The venue itself is always such a great place to see a show. It's a beautiful theater, with a huge accommodating lobby, an upstairs dining area, great selection of food and beverages (both non-alcoholic and "over 21."), the restrooms are always clean, parking is more than sufficient and the staff is always very kind and easy going. The seating area is not too large, but not too small. It's the perfect size for a comfortable crowd with cushioned theater seats. The front row seats are not pushed right up against the stage like a lot of places, the stage is the perfect size and it's just comfortable. There are also VIP booths available for special guests and groups.

Finally it was showtime. The lights went down, the magic began ...

Travis took his seat on his stool and started 2+ hours of some of country's best music and most memorable songs. He had only one request and that was when he played a song that was a crowd favorite, please sing along as loud as you can. I also had one request for those around me, don't talk through the show or be on your phones. It's not only disrespectful to those around you who paid money or drove a long distance to listen to the artist, but when you're in the front row, it's even more disrespectful to the artist because they can see you much better than if you were 10 rows back and sends the message that you're not interested. Save your conversation for either before or after the show and keep your texting to a minimum. It's just common courtesy.

He brought the house down with a GREAT set list, not leaving much of anything out and adding in some that we weren't expecting. He accompanied each song with a retrospective video to compliment the tune. His stories included:

- His childhood memories of his parents and listening to the Grand Ole Opry on the radio.

- How it felt to be part of the "Class of '89 which included in addition to Travis, Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks and Clint Black. Wow, how cool that must have been. If he'd only known how far that class would go, the accomplishments they'd make and the history they'd leave for future generations of country music fans. This really hit home for me and I admit, I got misty.

The "Class of '89" - Alan Jackson, Travis Tritt, Garth Brooks and Clint Black

His first record deal with Warner Brothers and how his deal wasn't the standard "3 album" deal, his was a "3 single" deal. If he released 3 singles and none of them made it to the Top 10, he was out. He blew that concept out of the water with his very first single, "Country Club" in August 1989. The single spent 26 weeks on the Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts, peaking at number nine. His next 2 singles, "Help Me Hold On" and "I'm Gonna Be Somebody," hit number one and two respectively. I guess Travis found a home.

- He told of his fond memories of filming the emotional video for "Anymore" in which he portrayed a disabled American veteran. Everyone else in that video was an actual disabled veteran. By the end of that shoot, he knew every one of those on set by name and formed a friendship. This affected Travis so deeply that he reached out to his state representatives, Congress and senators and asked to let him know how he could help the veteran's cause. He became an official spokesman and representative for those serving the country and he has received many honors since, including a Public Service award from the Department of Veterans Affairs in April 2003. To this day, Travis continues to be a voice for those heroes.

He told of his appreciation for Jerry Reed, Waylon Jennings and Marty Stuart. He talked about memories of them and how their music has impacted his own.

Travis and Jerry Reed

Travis and Waylon Jennings

This was quite literally a living documentary, a friendship between a man and his guitar and there were moments during these stories and songs that you could hear audience members sniffling and see them holding back tears. It really was a special performance, the likes of one I'm sure I'll probably never be able to witness again.

The show of hits was ending and Travis said his thank you and left the stage, only to come back a few minutes later to roars of applause to wrap up the night with fellowship and some good old Southern hand clapping and foot stomping with a round of "May the Circle Be Unbroken." I hope this "Circle" does not go unbroken. I hope that today's artists get a chance to go to a Travis Tritt show or the show of another legendary country artist and re-learn what this genre is about and what really good music is. I hope they strive to leave a lasting legacy like Travis, Garth, Alan, Clint and many others are doing. I hope they really learn to appreciate the opportunities they have and make the most of them based on THEIR creativity, talent and ideas and not just what they're instructed to do. I hope they break the mold and be their own artist, truly appreciate the power of a song and know what it means to be a member of the "Country Club."

Thank you Travis. You left an impression on me the first time I ever heard your voice and your songs and that impression is even deeper after Saturday night's show. Thank you. That's all I can really say.

Connect with Travis on his website - www.travistritt.com - and on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram). Be sure to check his website for tour dates and if you can, try to catch a show.

SET LIST

I'm Gonna Be Somebody

Where Corn Don't Grow

Foolish Pride

Country Club

Country Ain't Country No More

The Whiskey Ain't Workin'

500 Miles (Hedy West cover)

Drift Off to Dream / Help Me Hold On

Anymore

Help! (The Beatles cover)

It's a Great Day to Be Alive (Darrell Scott cover)

Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way / Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys / Theme from the Dukes of Hazzard (Good 'Ol Boys)

Here's a Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares)

Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde

T-R-O-U-B-L-E 

Encore: Will the Circle Be Unbroken?

Photo Credit: Jennifer Smith/LovinLyrics
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CONCERT REVIEW: THE OAK RIDGE BOYS - ALABAMA THEATRE, MYRTLE BEACH, SC

Event: Oak Ridge Boys Celebration Tour 2016
Venue: Alabama Theatre - Myrtle Beach, SC
Date: 9/10/16
Reviewer: Jennifer Smith
Follow Jenn on Twitter at @lovinlyrics

Photo credit: Jennifer Smith / Lovin' Lyrics

Click here for photo gallery

I feel like I write the same review every time I see the Oak Ridge Boys play, but when you're revewing a consistently great show, it's hard not to. Country Music Hall of Famers Joe Bonsall, Duane Allen, Richard Sterban and William Lee Golden once again proved why they are considered true musical legends and superstars with a packed house in Myrtle Beach, SC this past Saturday night, 9/10/16. These shows are my favorite days of the year. They're better than Christmas and my birthday.

There is this unexplainable energy that you can feel the minute you walk in the door to the Alabama Theatre when there's an Oak Ridge Boys show. You know just from the excitement of the fans waiting for those doors to open that it's gonna be a good night. I make a point to pay attention to venue atmosphere and the attitude of their staff as well as how helpful the staff is to patrons. I can say that the Alabama Theatre is hands down one of my favorite venues. The venue is beautiful, always clean and the acoustics are fantastic. The staff are always smiling, proactive in assisting people with locating their seats, and always answer questions with kindness and an eager enthusiasm.

Just before the show, the Oaks hold their meet and greet which is always a good time. When it comes to meet and greets, these guys are the best. They know their fans names, their faces, their family members, and what's going on with them. They care enough to pay attention to these things and that's what makes them stand out among so many others. They take the time to sign items, to shake hands, to hug and to talk to their fans, they don't just take 2 seconds, snap a pic and push them out the door. It's obvious by the fact that their shows sell out night after night that this kind of attention is what keeps fans coming back over and over again. Shows at this particular venue are more than a bunch of strangers coming together, it's more of a family of sorts. You may come in a stranger, but you'll meet so many friendly people by the end of that night that you'll leave more of a friend. That's what so special about the Oaks and the Alabama Theatre audience.

At 7:00pm, the lights in the auditorium went dark and the stage lights came on. The show began with the deep booming introduction, "Ladies and gentlemen, the legendary Oak Ridge Boys" and the boys took stage to a standing ovation, thundering applause and all kinds of whoops and hollers. There's just a powerful energy that fills the room that you just have to experience to understand. It's an obvious surrounding of love. It really makes a heart feel good.

The Oaks came out and performed the hits like "Everyday", "American Made", and "Dream On" much to the pleasure of the hundreds of fans dancing in their seats, singing along at the top of their lungs. The Oaks are known for their deep patriotism and love of this amazing country we are blessed to live in and they never fail to take a few quiet moments to salute those in the audience who are veterans or currently fighting for our freedom. With the current political climate, I think we need a reminder of how lucky we are to live in a country that allows us the freedom to come to events such as this, to sing what we want to, and to listen to the music that moves us. Tonight, I felt that blessing. Every Oak Ridge Boys show is such a reminder and this show was no different. Joe Bonsall's love of God and country is so very evident and when he gets riled up, the audience gets riled up with him and it's such a cool thing to be a part of.

The show rolled on with old favorites and new favorites as well as stories and humorous anecdotes as only Joe can relay them. One of my favorite moments of the night was William Lee Golden's obviously emotional performance of a new song, "Time Has Made a Change in Me" where he sings of  the passage of time and the years that have caught up with him, of loved ones who have passed on and the personal changes that have come with those years. When he took his sunglasses off and wiped tears from his eyes, I think all of us wiped those same tears. They followed up with everyone's favorite sing along and two of their biggest hits, "Elvira" and "Bobbie Sue", with  members of the incredible Mighty Oaks Band jamming together and just having a great time. What a great way to end the evening.

I have to give huge love to the band and crew, some of the best people in the industry. The Mighty Oaks Band consists of Rex Wiseman (Fiddle/Steel/Guitar), Ron Fairchild (Keys), Scotty Simpson (Bass), Jeffrey Douglas (Acoustic Guitar), David Northrup (Drums), and Roger Eaton (Electric Guitar). These guys are the best of the best when it comes to Nashville musicians. Each has worked with legendary names other than the Oaks and they stand behind these four men every night. They're such a great group of guys, I just love them. The crew - Darrick, Marko, Zeke, Michael and everyone else are who keep these wheels turning and the show running smoothly, merchandise moving and making sure lights/sound are the best they can possibly be. It really takes a village to create a legacy and these guys are the bricks in the foundation. The next time you're at an Oaks show, be sure to say hello and thank these guys for what they do. They're all so much more than background, they're essential to each and every performance.

Saturday night left everyone in that room with another wonderful, lasting memory. This is what the Oaks are best at, leaving lasting memories and leaving the audience with a smile as they leave to head back home. I bet most of us were listening to Oaks songs in the car and singing all the way home.

Oak Ridge Boys - Myrtle Beach, SC 9/10/16

CONCERT REVIEW: CLINT BLACK FEATURING JUSTIN BRYAN BAND AND ALEXIS GOMEZ AT JD LEGENDS - 8/15/15

 Photo credit: Jason Evans Photography

Country music gentleman Clint Black hasn't been "Killin' Time" as of late, he's been busy mentoring the Chideo Songwriting Contest winners, recording new music and picking up a new touring schedule. Tonight's stop was JD Legends in Franklin, OH and the place was packed shoulder to shoulder as they arrived early for refreshing beverages, food, and the opening entertainment. Kicking off the night's show was a local country band from West Alexandria, OH called The Justin Bryan Band. The Justin Bryan Band is made up of  Justin Bryan on lead vocals, Ryan Wolfe on vocals and guitar, Chad Schrock on vocals and guitar, Travis Nichols on Bass and Dustin Crank on drums. The band would get the crowd energized during their opening set playing many of today's top country hits with a Justin Bryan Band original or two. You may check out the Justin Bryan Band on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/justinbryanband/timeline.

After the opening band got the crowd warmed up and rowdy, it was time for Dayton, OH native Alexis Gomez to take the stage. Alexis is known from American Idol's season 14 as a top 16 finalist only to be eliminated during Motown week where she performed "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)". Alexis put on a fun performance filled with covers and originals of her own that kept the crowd entertained and cheering. Alexis was backed by a talented group of musicians including:  Sol Gomez on Back-up Vocals, Michael Gomez on Bass Guitar, Morgan Gomez on Back-up Vocals, Jake Ittel on Electric Guitar, Dave D'Aurora on Drums, and Tom Lees on Electric Guitar. Alexis put her own spin on country favorites such as Little Big Town's 'Pontoon', Darius Rucker's 'Wagon Wheel', Martina McBride's 'Independence Day' and many others as well as an original titled 'Country Lovin'. Alexis is performing at various events throughout the Dayton, OH area so please check out her official website for more details at www.alexisgomezmusic.com.

Now that the opening bands had the crowd ready to go, it was Clint Black's duty to seal the deal on the night. The house lights dimmed and a quiet excitement took over the room as Clint's band took to the stage. The crowd packed in tightly as the fans inched closer to the stage for a better view of this country legend. Mr. Black come onstage with a charming smile on his face, harmonica around his neck and a red white and blue American flag guitar displaying his patriotic side. The sound was fantastic as he played through the biggest of his hits of his discography which spans a career of 25+ years. The fans were loud as they stood with their toes buried in the sand, turtle necking over anybody in front of them just to get a better glimpse. Looking out from the VIP deck/club level, it was a sea of people from the left to the right and from the front of the stage to the rear of the venue. This place was packed! Country radio, take a more than obvious hint, people still like traditional country music and tonight more than proved that point.

One of my personal favorite moments during the show was when Clint introduced a song from his D'lectrified album called 'Are You Sure Waylon Done It This Way' which is a spin off of Waylon's 'Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way'. Clint told the crowd of meeting with Waylon about the song and sitting in the same room was Kris Kristofferson, talk about being in good company! There was never a dull moment. Just one of those many exciting moments was when Clint laid his guitar down during "Been There' and got the crowd involved in a harmonica sing along. Yes! A harmonica sing along! At the end of the song, Clint broke things down with an energetic harmonica solo encouraging the crowd to sing back the harmonica part during the breaks. Clint says to the crowd "You have to sing Harmonica!"  Following the sing along, Clint began a bluesy harmonica intro to 'Put Yourself In My Shoes" and then finished up with some amazing guitar picking during 'Nothin' But The Taillights." The crowd was relentless with their cheering and applause that Clint had no choice other than to return to the stage for an encore which featured 'We Tell Ourselves' and then left crowd in a frenzy with 'All Tuckered Out'.

Clint doesn't need a lot of theatrics in his show to prove he certainly has a stage presence like no other. The precision of the notes and licks played on his guitar combined with his skill on the harmonica and one of the most recognizable voices in country music is more than enough to keep an audience captivated for many hours. Dayton and Cincinnati are sure glad that Clint Black took the time to come and play for them.  For more information on tour dates, music and merchandise please visit www.clintblack.com.

You can also get social with Clint on Facebook, Twitter at @Clint_Black and on Instagram!

CONCERT REVIEW: PARMALEE - DEEP SOUTH 20TH ANNIVERSARY STREET FESTIVAL - RALEIGH, NC 5/16/15

ARTIST: Parmalee

VENUE: Deep South the Bar - Raleigh, NC
DATE: 5/16/15

REVIEWER: Jennifer Smith

Follow Jenn on Twitter at @lovinlyrics

Photo Credit: Jennifer Smith / Lovin' Lyrics

CLICK HERE FOR ENTIRE PHOTO GALLERY

It's such a great thing to see how far these four guys from such a small rural town as Parmele, NC have come in such a short time ... well, in country music anyway! They sure haven't been in music a short time, they've been knocking out the songs for about 10 years now and it all started in a small white barn dubbed "Studio B"in a town no bigger than it looks on a map. Well, that town may be small, but everyone knows where it is now thanks to this band.

Noticed by Deep South Entertainment's Dave Rose about 10 years ago, Parmalee was performing as a rock band in tiny clubs and bars around North Carolina. They were playing to whoever would listen, wherever they would listen. They eventually built a dedicated and rather large local following and established themselves as a credible act on the local live music scene. Their music footprint continued to grow until a robbery in 2010 nearly stopped them in their tracks permanently. One night in late September 2010, following a performance at "The Money" in Rock Hill, SC, two armed men,  Demario Burris, 22, and Dytavis Hinton, 22, attempted to rob the band on their bus. Both sides exchanged gunfire and drummer, Scott Thomas, was hit in the leg, shoulder and stomach. Burris was killed and Hinton was wounded. In critical condition, Scott was nearly killed and was hospitalized for over a month, with 10 of those days spent in a coma.  By a pure miracle, Scott recovered from the near fatal shooting and was back behind the drums in 2011 and they were determined to pick up right where they'd left off. Shortly after the incident, the local rock scene was starting to go stale and not going anywhere and country music was starting a new trend, mixing genres and incorporating more diverse sounds and welcoming a variety of styles. Parmalee's sound has never been one that truly fit one specific genre and the timing was perfect for them to see how they would fare on the country scene so they changed up their appearance and with Dave Rose's recommendation, headed for Nashville. The timing couldn't have been any better, their debut single "Must Have Had a Good Time" took off on Sirius XM's "The Highway" and now 4 singles later, including a #1 hit with "Carolina", Parmalee is a proven success and a band that has established a stellar reputation in the industry as just 4 humble hometown guys who just want to play their music and connect with their fans. That reputation couldn't be more true of Matt, Scott, Barry and Josh. They are 4 of the nicest, most grounded and most gracious artists I've ever had the pleasure of connecting with. They've always taken time to sit down with me for a catch up interview every time they're in town. They have never hesistated or declined a request and when the interview is going on, it's like talking to friends. They're all about family and home and no matter where the road takes them, it will always lead back to both and this weekend proved that with the road leading back to Raleigh, NC and most of the Parmalee family members in attendance, so many that a tent was set up to accommodate them.

Parmalee was the headliner for Deep South's 20th Anniversary in Raleigh, NC on Saturday, 5/16/15 and it was amazing to see the turnout for their homecoming. An enormous crowd descended on the corner of Dawson St and Cabarrus St for an entire day of music and a celebration of the contributions of Deep South Entertainment. 20 bands, 2 stages, noon to last call. When 9pm rolled around, you could not move. We staked our places against the stage barriers and anxiously awaited Parmalee's set to begin. When the band took the stage, the applause was deafening. Having last heard them perform back in 2013, I was quite excited to see how they sounded now as opposed to the last show I attended and I can honestly say that they are at the top of their game, both stage show, vocals and instrumentation are the best I've ever seen and heard from them. They performed all of the hits like "Must Have Had a Good Time", "Day Drinking", "Already Callin' You Mine", "Dance", and they even included covers of Bob Seger's "Night Moves" and a spoof of Miley Cyrus' hit "Wrecking Ball" called "Fireball". One highlight for me was a little girl who was standing next to me in the front row, maybe 8 years old if that, wearing her Parmalee concert tshirt and smiling from ear to ear, screaming louder than any groupie and singing every word to every song. Turns out this was her first concert and the guys had been awesome to her - taking her back by the bus for a personal meet and greet with a picture and then after one song, Scott came down from the drums and handed her his drum sticks. It was such a sweet thing to see the interaction with this little girl. They left her with a memory she'll never forget. Close to the end of the show, a Raleigh city official came out on stage with Dave Rose and stopped the guys before they could close out the show. They were completely stunned and didn't know what was going on. The lady, I missed her name unfortunately, starting praising the attention that Parmalee has brought to our state and the wonderful manner in which they represent this area in their actions and in their music. She declared Saturday, 5/16, as "Parmalee Day" and presented them with a certificate. This was very fitting for the ending of the show which was closed with "Carolina".

I know the word "amazing" tends to be overused in today's language but I can honestly say that I'm not overusing it in this review. This show was just that, nothing more and nothing less than fantastic, awesome, kick ass, killer, smack daddy, bombdiggity, great, and hell yes amazing. Thank you to Dave Rose for introducing the world to this band and for giving them a platform to showcase their talent and thank you to Parmalee for just being four of the coolest guys that happen to play music for a living.

CONCERT REVIEW / PHOTOS: THE OAK RIDGE BOYS AT THE ALABAMA THEATRE MYRTLE BEACH. SC 4/18/15

ARTIST: The Oak Ridge Boys
VENUE: Alabama Theatre - Myrtle Beach, SC
DATE: 4/18/15
REVIEWER: Jennifer Smith
Follow Jenn on Twitter at @lovinlyrics

Oak Ridge Boys - Myrtle Beach, SC 4/18/15

An Oak Ridge Boys performance is quite literally a hug from the Lord. It's like He reached down from Heaven and wrapped His arms around the audience and squeezed really tight letting us know that there is still good in this world and it's in the form of these four men and their music, Joe Bonsall, Duane Allen, Richard Sterban and William Lee Golden.

I always make the time to attend an Oaks show at the Alabama Theatre in Myrtle Beach, SC. I never miss one even though it's a 3.5 hr drive from my house. If I'm scheduled to work, I take the day off. If I had surgery scheduled, my appendix can wait, and I think if it was my own funeral, I'd tell them to hold off the eulogy! You get the idea. They usually play here twice a year and I can honestly say those are my 2 favorite days of the year. That's just how much I love these shows. The venue and it's staff are wonderful, the acoustics are fantastic, and the crowd is always familiar. It is, as I said in my previous review for their last show here, like coming home.

I got there early as I usually do so I can spend some pre-show, no stress time with the guys and the band. This is my favorite part of the day, when they're not in show mode, they're just laid back and having some relaxing time with friends and family. There's always laughter and there's always love, those are two things that are never missing on stage or off. When I was walking from the parking lot and was passing the bus on the way to the backstage entrance, there was a small group of ladies waiting by the bus. When I approached, they told me they were hoping to see Joe because one of the ladies in the group had something she wanted to give him that she'd been holding onto for months in hopes of being able to hand it to him personally. I told her I would let him know. When I walked in and as soon as I saw Joe, I told him about the ladies and the gift and he immediately walked out to the bus to say hello but the ladies were gone. This is what I love about these guys, fans are ALWAYS important, even when they're not showered and looking stage ready, even right when they've pulled in and get off the bus from a 14 hour trip, during the show when they shake hands and even after the show when they're exhausted and ready to go home. They always make the time and are so gracious with everyone.

The show was once again a sellout. As soon as it began, before any of the hits began to play, Joe took the mic and asked if there was someone that had been waiting for him by the bus with a gift. He said he went out there but missed them and he wanted to be sure that this lady was taken care of. She happened to be in the front row in front of him and was so excited that he had taken the time to acknowledge her and she handed him her gift, an empty Coke bottle with his name on in. She had looked for one for so long that said "Joe" and she finally found it and she was able to share it with him. This made her day and it made Joe's as well. What a great thing to do.

When it comes to the music, there really is not a better show I've been to than an Oaks performance. I know I gush when it comes to them, but they give me every valid reason to do so and in these days of country music, there really honestly aren't many I can say that give me the same level of excitement and warmth than these guys. The music is always timeless, the performances are audience interactive and so much fun, Their harmonies are still some of the best in the business even after 40 years of singing. The band is fantastic and always smiling and having such a great time. Rex Wiseman, Scotty Simpson, Jeffrey Douglas, David Northrup, Ronnie Fairchild and Roger Eaton stand behind the Oaks night after night, show after show, after after hour and never once do they ever give the impression that they don't want to be there. They're always smiling and laughing. They interact with the audience and the Oaks just as much as the fans do and there's always something going on up on that stage that has an electricity to it. It's just the perfect combination of personalities and talent. When they take the stage, you can see that they're doing it for the love of the music they sing and those they sing for. They've made their millions, they've played for Presidents, they've won every award possible and achieved the pinnacle every country artist dreams of - memberships in the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Grand Ole Opry. They've seen and done it all, now they're doing it all because they enjoy it and because they love to see the enjoyment on the faces of their fans. This show was a product of love, friendship, and the personal inner harmony that comes from connecting with people. This is why we keep coming back and why the Oak Ridge Boys will always be legends not only in country music, but in the hearts of so many. I am ready for September, bring it on boys!

SET LIST FOR 4/18/15

Everyday 
American Made 
Come On In 
Louisiana Red Dirt Highway 
Gonna Take a Lot of River 
Cryin' Again 
Y'all Come Back Saloon 
Ozark Mountain Jubilee 
Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight 
Beautiful You 
Sail Away 
Dream On 
Little Things 
Roll Tennessee River 
Life's Railway to Heaven 
Have a Little Talk With Jesus 
Sacrifice...for Me 
Ramblin' Man 
I'll Be True to You 
Beyond Those Years 
Down Deep Inside 
No Matter How High 
There Must Be Something About Me That She Loves 
Elvira 
Bobbie Sue 

AUSTIN WEBB PERFORMS NATIONAL ANTHEM AT LAMBEAU FIELD

Country music artist Austin Webb sang the national anthem before the Green Bay Packers took on the Atlanta Falcons last Sunday, Dec. 8, at Lambeau Field. The appearance was Webb’s first NFL national anthem performance.

Austin ‘chills’ with Charli McKenzie of Appleton, WI’s WNCY

CONCERT REVIEW: JOE DIFFIE - JONES COUNTY CIVIC CENTER, TRENTON, NC DECEMBER 7, 2013

Artist: Joe Diffie
Venue: Jones County Civic Center - Trenton, NC
Date: December 7, 2013

If you're in a small country town on a Saturday night, the streets are dark and empty by 9pm, and you come up on a field full of high rise pickups and tailgating in rainy 40 degree weather, there's only one reason - Joe Diffie must be in town. This was the case last night in Trenton, NC. When we arrived at the Jones County Civic Center at 6 pm, two hours before showtime, the wind was blowing, a miserable, cold misty rain coming down, but the parking lot was full and people were out bundled up and having their tailgate parties waiting for the doors to open. This town has a population of less than 500 and I can say with 99% certainty that the entire town showed up to support this concert which was held to benefit Brock's Mill Pond, a historical natural area with a beautiful landscape, a large pond and a grist mill. The devil was gonna be dancing in some empty pockets tonight, that's for sure. Let him dance all night long because this was for a great cause.

The venue itself was small yet great for a country show. There were rows of folding chairs, a concession area selling very affordable food, water and beer (bottled water was only $1.00!), VIP tables set up along the front of the stage with snacks and the best views, and considerably good acoustics for "gymnasium style" venue. The staff was friendly and helpful. I'd personally like to thank the employee who was kind enough to find some duct tape for me to tape the sole of my boot back on after it decided to fall off my boot in the parking lot. Now there's a country song waiting to happen isn't it? I think I'll call it "Duct Tape May Not Fix a Broken Heart, But It Can Mend A Broken Sole".

There was no opening performer for this show. Joe Diffie has plenty of music to play a show on his own so wasn't too surprised. Joe took the stage to chants of "Dif-fie! Dif-fie!" and a night of real country was about to begin. If you've never seen Joe Diffie perform, you've been missing out on what a real country concert should be. It's all about the guitar, the voice, steel guitar and the songs that made Joe the legend he is. Don't expect bedazzled jeans that are two sizes too small, ripped up t-shirts, or dancing around the stage shaking his "money-maker". What you can expect is just Joe, his wonderful sense of humor, his guitar, a small band, and the voice performing the hits that made him who he is. Did we get the hits, yes, but Joe also brought more to the table, he reminded each of us in that room why we love country music, what it is about it that is so personal, so special. This night was about the music and the music alone. From the starting intro of "Third Rock from the Sun", to "If the Devil Danced in Empty Pockets" and "Pick Up Man", people were up out of their seats and dancing (there was no "twerking" to this music, thank the gods of country for that.) I immediately felt as though I was in a surreal country dream, like I'd found the country I'd been missing. This WAS the country music I'd  been missing, the country that the genre as a whole has been missing. What a welcome sound to sore ears.

Aside from a voice that has not changed since the first time I heard him years ago, Joe also has this unique ability to actually flirt with an entire room of women simultaneously and make each of them feel like they were the only one in the room and he was talking directly to them. That also has not changed over the years. This "room wide flirtation" was his prelude to "So Help Me Girl" which had the ladies leading their guys (and some even leading their female best friends and some grabbing the hands of anyone they could find), into the aisles to slow dance. He continued this mood with his spot on rendition of the Charlie Rich classic, "Behind Closed Doors". I don't smoke, but that song was so sexy that I found myself needing a cigarette when it was done. Then he broke out the Diffie style "hick hop" with his quick thank you to Jason Aldean for bringing him back to the spotlight with his hit, "1994" and launching right into his own current single, "Girl Ridin' Shotgun". The crowd loved it and me, not being into the whole hick hop obsession, thought it was actually pretty awesome. I actually wish he'd re-release it as his own version without the Jawga Dawgs. It would sell so much better than the original. The night was full of great moments like that and we all hated to see it end, but they had an ice storm to beat back to Nashville so unfortunately it had to.

I have to give kudos to his great band with fantastic backing vocals. They were fantastic! Thanks to the following members, sorry I didn't get your last names:

Jerry - Bass
Craig - Keyboards
Michael - Drums
Terry - Steel Guitar
Shane - Guitar

Also thanks to his great crew - Tim, Chris, Eric and everyone else involved in making this a great show!

To sum up the evening, I think the woman standing outside talking to one of her friends said it best when she answered her friends question about whether she thought everyone in town was at the show - "Who ISN'T here, it's Joe Diffie!!!"

Thanks Joe for another great show! I'm ready for the next one! Bring it!

*EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS* - CHRIS STAPLETON AT CITY LIMITS SALOON RALEIGH, NC - OCTOBER 18, 2013

When your own local country dj tells you that he  knew Chris Stapleton was good but WOW, he blew good right out of the water, you know it was a good show! Holy Stapleton Wow!