REVIEW: "Blue Ain't Your Color" by Keith Urban

Coming hot off his latest number one hit, "Wasted Time", Keith Urban has released his fourth single off his Ripcord album.

"Blue Ain't Your Color" is a slow, catchy and bluesy tale of what a man see's when he see's a girl who has been treated wrongly by another guy. Urban is telling the story in a creative way, comparing what blue looks good on...

"Blue looks good on the sky
Looks good on that neon buzzin' on the wall"

But, he then turns it around and tells the girl what blue doesn't look good on...

"But darling, it don't match your eyes
I'm tellin' you
You don't need that guy
It's so black and white
He's stealin' your thunder
Baby, blue ain't your color"

Urban's vocals are pitch perfect and the melody is different from what Urban usually puts out to radio. His previous singles, "Wasted Time" and "John Cougar, John Deer, John 3:16" are more upbeat and required more production but "Blue Ain't Your Color" is doubled-down, relaxed and focuses more on Urban's vocals.

Fans can catch Keith this summer on the ripCord World Tour with Brett Eldredge and Maren Morris and then Keith heads back home to New Zealand and Australia with Carrie Underwood (in support of her Storyteller Tour) in December. More information can be found here.

Listen to "Blue Ain't Your Color" below

readme01@mail.buffalostate.edu

REVIEW: "Dirty Laundry" by Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood is known for her cheating songs and storytelling abilities, not to mention that powerhouse voice.

"Dirty Laundry" is the next single of Underwood's 2015 number-one album Storyteller, which has already produced 3 number-ones already; "Smoke Break", "Heartbeat" and "Church Bells". Underwood is ready for her 25th number-one and "Dirty Laundry" is a song that can reach that for her.

Cover art for "Dirty Laundry"

"Dirty Laundry" is the story of a man who has been cheating on his wife. Nevertheless in this song, no one is murdered and no cars are being destroyed, instead the wife is simply airing his laundry out for everyone to see...

"That lipstick on your collar, well, it ain't my shade of pink
And I can tell by the smell of that perfume, it's like forty dollars too cheap
And there's a little wine stain on the pocket of your white cotton thread
Well, you drink beer and whiskey, boy, and you know I don't drink red"

...dirty laundry, that is. The song is infectious with its' catchy beat and lyrics that Underwood perfectly executes.

"Now I'ma have to hang you out to dry, dry, dry
Clothespin all your secrets to the line, line, line
Leave 'em blowing in the wind, just say goodbye to you"

If "Dirty Laundry" does reach number one on the charts, it will not only be Underwood's 25th number one hit, but she will then be tied for the most number-ones by a female country artist with Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton.

Below you can listen to "Dirty Laundry" by Carrie Underwood

readme01@mail.buffalostate.edu

REVIEW: "She's Got a Way With Words" by Blake Shelton

Cover art for Shelton's "She's Got a Way with Words"

It is the third single off Blake Shelton's latest album, If I'm Honest, and it may potentially be his 23rd number one of his career; but it could also be his most controversial single ever released to country radio.

Lets clear the air first. The song is definitely about his ex-wife Miranda Lambert and it is obvious based off of the lyrics, so I would imagine this song does not sit well with fans of Lambert.

In my opinion this song will go down as one of Blake's best songs he has ever recorded. Catchy and contagious are two words I can describe this song.

"She put the her in hurt
She put the why in try
She put the S.O.B. in sober
She put the hang in hangover"

But Shelton doesn't stop there. He continues, and it's great. 

"She put the low in blow
She put a big F.U. in my future"

And...

"Little words like "I" and "do"
Lying, cheating, screwed
Yeah all the words I thought I knew
They got a brand new meaning now"

Listen, no matter what Shelton sings, it will sell and it will go to number one. Country radio and fans love him. There's no denying that. They love him on NBC's The Voice, they loved him hosting the ACM's and they love him on stage performing.

Below is the music video for "She's Got a Way With Words"

readme01@mail.buffalostate.edu

ALBUM REVIEW: My Kind of Country by Eric Sowers Band

My Kind of Country is the debut album from new comers Eric Sowers Band, and its a good listen. The band consists of 5 northern Ohio musicians who have one thing in common: chasing a dream in country music.

My Kind of Country album cover (photo courtesy ericsowersmusic.com)

And, based off their debut album, it seems they are on the right track.

"My Kind of Country" is the first track that bears the name of the album title. This song is a blue collar country boy anthem. From mason jars to catfish, the song gives us a good look into a daily country boys life. If you like to fish, chew tobacco and tear up your four wheeler, this is your song.

Another standout country-rocking tune is "Reckless Memory". The song reminds me of something that would come out of Jason Aldean or Brantley Gilbert. This is the Eric Sowers Band of "I See You" by Luke Bryan, but a tad more reckless and country.

But what I really like about the band, which features Eric Sowers on lead vocals and acoustic guitar, Chase Dull on electric lead guitar, Dylan Kromer on bass, Adam Thayer on keyboards (Dull, Kromer and Thayer also assist on background vocals), and Neal Anderson on percussion and drums, is that they can also sing ballads and songs about real life and still sounds great.

"Sometimes It Floats" is a great song about life's troubles and how whenever you feel like the world is coming down on you and going to 'drown' you but in the end after all the things knocking you down there's some hope that it'll get better. The song perfectly references water being the savior and at times symbolizing the thing that drowns you.

"Can bring you down or lift your hopes
Yeah, sometimes it drowns
Sometimes it floats"

 And of course it wouldn't be a country album without songs about a country girl. "I Got Somethin'" is a personal take on what a guy feels around this girl he's been crushing on, but he doesn't know what exactly is it. Maybe love?

Another personal favorite is "Another One" which is a slower song about wanting that one more beer, one more kiss, one more perfect moment. The band is on point and production of this song is excellent.

For more information on the Eric Sowers Band and upcoming tour dates, visit their website. My Kind of Country is available for download on Apple Music, Spotify and Amazon. You can also listen to it on their YouTube page. 

Make sure to follow the band on social media, Twitter and Instagram and 'Like' them on Facebook.

Below is a live performance of their title track, "My Kind of Country"

REVIEW: "Comeback Kid" by The Band Perry

Country radio better open their doors and airwaves because The Band Perry is knocking and ready to be heard again.

Photo courtesy of The Band Perry/Republic Nashville

After a year hiatus, the family singing trio is back and ready to tell their side of the story behind all the talk with label changes and their image. "Comeback Kid" is the ultimate underdog song.

The song is a deep and raw take on what the trio has been feeling and experienced all within the past year and the controversy at country radio during their release of "Live Forever". 

"But no, I'm not leaving, even though I'm bleeding
Even though this nightmare makes me wish I was dreaming
Even though I hate it, I'm gonna take it
Until I win
Cause I'm a comeback, I'm a comeback kid
Don't know why bad things happened, but they did"

To be tough and courageous is the message the trio perfectly executes. Don't let others underestimate your success and love for the game or music in this case.

But, the eye ball raiser of the song comes at the halfway point with these lyrics:

"How dare you forget where I started out
Uh-oh, uh-oh"

What makes this line great is the 'Uh-oh's' are sung in similar fashion as they are in the band's Grammy nominated and first number-one single, "If I Die Young". Brilliant. 

Never give up and never let anyone tell you you can't do anything. The Band Perry's "Comeback Kid" is a true inspiration for many who are kicked to the curb and told they can't achieve their goals in life. 

To listen to "Comeback Kid" you can download it now on iTunes or in the video below from The Band Perry's YouTube Vevo account

 

 

Luke Bryan soaks up Scranton; Little Big Town shines

Kill The Lights Tour poster (photo courtesy of LukeBryan.com)

Luke Bryan once again informed everyone inside the sold-out Pavilion at Montage Mountain why he is the current CMA Entertainer of the Year.

Bryan recently celebrated the big 4-0 last week and if Bryan continues to rise and outperform every male in the genre, then it is true what they say-everything gets better with age.

Byran started the night with "Rain Is a Good Thing" which is a number-one hit from six years ago but the way the Scranton crowd sang, you would've guessed it was released within the past year. No matter what he sang, everyone sang along and actually knew all the words. And if they didn't know the words then his current single perfectly exaggerates what they did instead-"Move".

Bryan is known for his booty-shaking and gyrating thrusts on stage, something the female audience melts over. With his perfectly whitened teeth and skin tight jeans, we get it, he's a bit of a heartthrob. But what is refreshing is the age differences in this crowd. You have your typical country-wannabe teenagers and then the older, mature concert experts who kept up with Bryan every second of the show.

Bryan ripped though hits "Drunk on You", "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye" and "Strip It Down" before bringing back to the stage one fourth of Little Big Town, Karen Fairchild, to sing their hit "Home Alone Tonight". But Bryan wasn't done with Little Big Town yet.

The rest of Little Big Town came back to the stage where they shared a musical moment with Bryan. Performing Ed Sheeran's "Thinking Out Loud" and Marvin Gaye's "Lets Get It On", it was pure gold. Bryan told the crowd, "If y'all can't get a girl with our help right now, then you've got no game!"

Throughout the night Bryan proved to us that he can entertain, he can dance and he can joke around. But it was during the song "Drink A Beer" where Bryan showed us that he can dance, drink and have a good time but also be real, raw and connect with the fans. As the sold-out Pennsylvanian crowd lit up the amphitheater with lights on their cell phones, Bryan sat solo on stage with guitar in hand. No stage lights. No special effects. Just a man, his guitar and thousands of passionate country fans singing with him. A moment many where many were thinking 'I don't want this night to end.'

Show opener Dustin Lynch who is very familiar to opening for Luke Bryan (Lynch opened for Bryan on last year's Kick The Dust Up Tour). Lynch did a good job with what he had as more than half the pavilion was still getting their beers. Be sure to look out for him being the next Luke Bryan when Bryan puts his boots up.

Then came Little Big Town. Members Karen Fairchild, Jimi Westbrook. Kimberly Schlapman and Phillip Sweet, blew us away and showed us why they are reigning ACM and CMA Vocal Group of the Year. With their pitch-perfect harmonies and down home country feel, you can tell they sure do love what they do. Being in the business for almost twenty years now, they are no strangers to working hard and moving up the ladder. "Little White Church" and "Pontoon" got the party going. But it was during a cover of Dolly Parton's "Jolene" where the group showed us what they are capable of. It was beautiful. But so was everything else they did. "Girl Crush", their most noted and controversial song back from 2014 was a highlight from their set with the disco ball hanging from above the stage and the whole crowd singing right along with them. They closed out their set with a powerful vocal performance of their biggest hit to-date "Boondocks". Grand Ole Opry members and hit makers, this band is a force to be reckoned with.


You can still catch the Kill The Lights Tour on the road the rest of this summer. For more dates and information visit Luke Bryan's tour page.


Below is a video from the sold-out Scranton, PA show (video courtesy of Michael Read).

readme01@mail.buffalostate.edu

REVIEW: "Vice" by Miranda Lambert

Miranda Lambert has finally released some new music for her fans. Following her 2015 single "Smokin' and Drinkin'" (with Little Big Town), which didn't do so well on the charts, "Vice" is the new one and maybe Lambert will finally get her 5th number-one.

Cover art for "Vice" (photo courtesy of MirandaLambert.com)

 For those that may not know what a vice is, I am guilty as well, vice is something having to do with wicked behavior. Another definition is involving oneself in criminal activities such as prostitution, pornography, and drugs.

"Vice" is no doubt about the struggles she has faced within the past year all relating back to her divorce with fellow country star Blake Shelton.

"maybe I’m addicted to goodbyes 
another vice, another town, where my past can’t run me down"

The lyrics are deep and the melody has a lounge-style/bar show style with a steady drum beat. Based off the lyrics you can't help but feel bad for her,

"Don’t know where I am or how I got here
Well the only thing that I know how to find is another vice"

Lambert executes this song with raw emotion and a cry for help that maybe something or someone will help her get back on track. 

Below is the audio of "Vice" from Lambert's YouTube account. Take a listen and let me know what you think.

readme01@mail.buffalostate.edu

OPINION: Carrie Underwood number one singles ranked-least to most favorite

Carrie Underwood on her Storyteller Tour (photo courtesy of Getty images)

In the short 11 years that Carrie Underwood has come onto the country music scene, she has taken it by storm. Selling 65 million albums globally and in the United States she has sold almost 35 million digital singles. She is also the only artist to score six consecutive number-one albums on that Billboard Top Country Albums chart. Carrie is also the first female in the Academy of Country Music history to win ACM Entertainer of the Year twice consecutively and she has been awarded 7 Grammy's on top of many other industry awards.

Needless to say, she has accomplished a lot in 11 years. Did I mention that she has 24 number one songs? That's right. Twenty-four. She is 1 number one single away from tying the record with Reba McEntire, which is 25.

I thought I would give you my list of all Carrie Underwood number one singles to be released to radio in order from least to most favorite:

Inside Your Heaven*
Don't Forget to Remember Me
I Told You So (with Randy Travis)
Heartbeat
See You Again
Temporary Home
Good Girl
All-American Girl
Just A Dream
Two Black Cadillacs
So Small
Undo It
Smoke Break
Remind Me (with Brad Paisley)
Last Name
Cowboy Casanova
Somethin' Bad (with Miranda Lambert)
Little Toy Guns
Before He Cheats
Church Bells
Wasted
Jesus, Take the Wheel
Blown Away
Something in the Water

*-song was number 1 on the Hot 100 chart


Carrie is currently on The Storyteller Tour in support of her latest album, Storyteller. For dates and ticket information go to carrieunderwoodofficial.com.



readme01@mail.buffalostate.edu

Toby Keith brings his hits and patriotism to Darien Lake

Tour poster (courtesy Toby Keith/Show Dog Universal)

On a picture perfect Friday night out at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center, country music's biggest and loudest patriot stood center-stage to a rowdy and ready Toby Keith crowd.
Keith opened the show with a tune that by his 9 p.m. start time was a fib from the start-"Haven't Had A Drink All Day". If anyone keeps up with country music you might remember back in 2014 when fans complained that Keith was "too drunk" during one of his shows in Noblesville, a suburb of Indianapolis, Indiana. Keith does in fact own a chain of 'grill and bar' restaurants along with his own liquor.

Keith is also known for his drinking tunes that also kept the crowd cheering and drinking. "Whiskey Girl", "I Love This Bar", "Beer For My Horses" (accompanied with Willie Nelson on a large video screen) and the infamous "Red Solo Cup", were all songs that everyone drank up to. But, unlike his 2014 show in Noblesville, Keith was far from drunk. He did indeed have a red solo cup on stage with him, but he was collected and content.
But isn't that what country music and more-so Keith's music is all about? Relaxing, having a good time and drinking a beer...or two.

Toby Keith's Interstates and Tailgates tour truck backstage (photo courtesy of Michael Read)

A shining moment came about half-way through the set when Keith showed us his appreciation and gave a salute to the late country legend Merle Haggard who passed away earlier this year. And this is what separates country music from any other genre, the stars of today know their roots and honor those who have paved the way for them to rise and be successful. Tip of the cowboy hat to you Toby.
But the night wouldn't be complete without Keith's signature songs. Songs about American pride. This is where the fans connect the most and Keith sings the loudest and proudest.
The way the world is today and what has happened within the past couple weeks, Darien Lake soaked it all in and it was a moment, courtesy of the red, white and blue.

Opener Eric Paslay helped the crowd ease their way into the night with a great set. For those that don't know much about Paslay, he has co-written some of today country's hits. "Barefoot Blue Jean Night" by Jake Owen and "Even If It Breaks Your Heart" by the Eli Young Band were on the set before he and Darien Lake jammed out to his 2013 hit, "Friday Night"-suitable for the evening.

Michael Read with show opener Eric Paslay (photo courtesy of Michael Read)

Other noteworthy hits by Keith included "I Wanna Talk About Me", "Who's Your Daddy", "As Good As I Once Was" and "How Do You Like Me Now?!"

readme01@mail.buffalostate.edu

REVIEW: "Move" by Luke Bryan

There's no denying it. Luke Bryan is currently country music's biggest male entertainer. And his new single, "Move", gives Bryan more excuses to shake his hips even more than he does on stage.

In a follow-up to his 2011 hit "Country Girl (Shake It for Me)", Bryan is electrifying the barn floor once again urging all to get up and move, but more specifically that girl you're dancing with. Bryan is known for his songs exemplifying the common country girl in cut-off jeans and country girl boots.

In "Move", you can tell Bryan had fun recording this one with an electrifying, boot-stomping beat and country lyrics. But the most catchy and memorizing part of the song is Bryan helps us spell move. Sounds strange but, it works.

Cut your jeans off with a rebel yell
Learned the talk of the Bible belt
Now, girl, I melt when you
M-O-V-E, I love it yeah, I love it when you get that deed
Boots on, stomp your feet

Anything Bryan puts out to country radio just skyrockets up the charts. And this song is no exception. "Move" will M-O-V-E up the charts just as charismatically as Bryan gets fans to dance from start to end at his shows.

"Move" is the fifth and most likely last single from his 2015 number one album, Kill The Lights which has produced four number ones already-"Kick the Dust Up", "Strip It Down", "Home Alone Tonight" (with Karen Fairchild) and "Huntin', Fishin' and Lovin' Every Day".

LISTEN: "Move" by Luke Bryan

readme01@mail.buffalostate.edu

Reba to guest judge on America's Got Talent

Reba is back...on your television. Yes, her show Reba does air reruns on CMT but Reba will be appearing on a new episode of NBC's America's Got Talent as a guest judge.
The show which is in its 11th season on NBC and it gets better and better every year. But this year is a little different.

Courtesy of NBC

This year returning to American television is...Simon Cowell. Cowell is also a judge on the U.K.'s version, Britain's Got Talent. Many know Cowell from his time at the judging table on American Idol.
Also at the judging table along with Reba and Cowell is returning judges Mel B, Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel. Can't wait to see if Reba and Simon go head-to-head in a judges battle.

NBC's America's Got Talent airs every Tuesday and Wednesday 8p.m. EST.


readme01@mail.buffalostate.edu

Jason Aldean announces new album

Courtesy jasonaldean.com and Broken Bow Records

 The reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year, Jason Aldean is ready to give us some new music. 

Aldean announced that his 7th career album titled, They Don't Know, will be released on September 9th, 2016.

Smash hit and lead single off the new album, "Lights Come On" was just recently crowned as Aldean's 17th career number one.

Aldean is currently on his Six String Circus tour tearing up the stage with Thomas Rhett and A Thousand Horses. Aldean will be headlining Fenway Park on album release day with special guest Kid Rock. Below are a list of current tour dates.

Six String Circus Tour

July 14: Bethel, New York
July 15: Syracuse, New York
July 21: Indianapolis, Indiana
July 22: St. Louis, Missouri
Aug. 12: Phoenix, Arizona
Aug. 13: San Diego, Calif.
Aug. 14: San Bernardino, Calif.
Aug. 18: Sacramento, Calif.
Aug. 19: Mtn. View, Calif.
Aug. 20: Irvine, Calif.
Sept. 9: Boston, Massachusetts
Sept. 11: Hartford, Connecticut
Sept. 15: Hershey, Pennsylvania
Sept. 16: Virginia Beach, Virginia
Sept. 17: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Sept. 22: Darien Center, New York
Sept. 23: Cleveland, Ohio
Sept. 24: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Sept. 29: Charlotte, North Carolina
Sept. 30: Raleigh, North Carolina
Oct. 1: Bristow, Virginia


readme01@mail.buffalostate.edu

Carrie Underwood and Mike Fisher Celebrate Sixth Wedding Anniversary

Country music superstar, Carrie Underwood and her Nashville Predator husband, Mike Fisher recently celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

Underwood and Fisher wed on July 10th, 2010 in a private ceremony filled with many friends and family in Greensboro, Georgia. Many were in attendance including her American Idol judges-Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill and even Garth Brooks. Quite the guest list.

Together they have one child, Isaiah, and Underwood even co-wrote a song that can be found on her latest album Storyteller, about the two things in her life that she never knew she always wanted- "What I Never Knew I Always Wanted". Expressing that she's never pictured herself dressing in white, and never pictured herself singing lullabies.

Underwood shared a heartfelt post on Instagram expressing that she is "...looking forward to spending the rest of our lives in love", in a post dedicated to Fisher.

Six years ago today, I said "I do," to this handsome fella. I meant it then and I mean it now. God put us together and continues to bless our marriage. I couldn't imagine this life without you, @mfisher1212 I am thankful for these past six years together (and, of course, for our beautiful son, Isaiah) and I look forward to spending the rest of our lives in love.

Congratulations and Happy Anniversary, Mike and Carrie!



readme01@mail.buffalostate.edu

REVIEW: "Seein' Red" by Dustin Lynch

The follow up to Dustin Lynch's "Mind Reader" is hoping to make it his fourth number one single in a row.
"Seein' Red" is the title and it is red hot.
Giving fans some new music for the first time this year, this song is one of those songs you want to roll down your windows and jam out to.

Unlike anything else Lynch has released, "Seein' Red" focuses on that crazy summer night with the girl you've been crushing on.

"Driving that Chevy like a Cadillac
Blow that one stop light, no lookin' back
Wherever we're goin' gotta get there fast
I'm talkin' red hot wet kiss fallin' off your lips"

The self proclaimed part 2 to "Hell Of A Night", "Seein' Red" could fit the story line to Lynch's 2014 hit perfectly.
The lyrics are catchy and and the song is infectious. This could easily be the song of the summer and very well will be Lynch's fourth number one in a row.
This single is expected to be the lead single off a potential new album from Lynch. No confirmed word on when the album will be released. 

Fans can catch Dustin on the road this summer opening up for Luke Bryan with Little Big Town on the Kill The Lights tour. Visit http://www.dustinlynchmusic.com/tour/ for a complete listing of Dustin Lynch tour dates.

LISTEN: Below is the official "Seein' Red" lyric video, courtsey of DustinLynchVEVO.

readme01@mail.buffalostate.edu

REVIEW: "Smooth" by Florida Georgia Line

Florida Georgia Line's junior album Dig Your Roots is set to be released next month.
But Brian and Tyler are giving fans a song early. In addition to their smash-hit "H-O-L-Y", they just released their lead track single off the album-"Smooth".

The song is as country as the boys can get. A nighttime backdrop to start the song filled with crickets and frogs in the background, it makes you feel like your either in Florida and/or Georgia beneath a pond.
The opening of the song compares the smoothness of Tennessee water, the grooves of a Sunday morning Elvis singing gospel and the lines on a mercury to how smooth a girl dances, looks and feels.
A break from their summer-themed songs, the two lead songs off their new album "H-O-L-Y" and "Smooth" seem to reflect more on their current relationships with their wives. Opening up a new and improved version of BK and T Hubb.
If you like the lyrics from "Southern Girl" by Tim McGraw and the instrumentals from "Neon Light" by Blake Shelton, then you'll love "Smooth".

>>>Dig Your Roots is expected to be released August 26th, 2016. BK and T Hubb are currently on the Dig Your Roots tour, to see tour dates and ticket information visit: http://floridageorgialine.com/tour-dates/. <<<

LISTEN: Below is a YouTube video from a fan of "Smooth" from the Dig Your Roots tour. You can also listen and download "Smooth" on Apple Music and by per-ordering Dig Your Roots.

readme01@mail.buffalostate.edu

Brooks to have own channel on SiriusXM

Country music legend Garth Brooks is set to have his own channel on SiriusXM.
In a press release set out by SiriusXM and Garth Brooks, starting September 8th, 2016, you'll be able to listen to all your favorite Garth tunes including live recordings from Garth concerts.

Photo courtesy SiriusXM and GarthBrooks.com

Brooks commented on the opportunity to have his own station, "I speak for myself and the entire team when I say we are very grateful for this opportunity and very excited about its potential.”
Brooks hits include, "Unanswered Prayers", "Ain't Goin' Down (Till the sun comes up)", "The Dance", "Thunder Rolls" and the country music anthem "Friends in Low Places". 
The station is to be created and presented by Garth himself. This station will only be available for those who have a subscription to SiriusXM.
Visit siriusxm.com to figure out how to subscribe to SiriusXM.

Brooks is currently on tour with his Garth Brooks World Tour with wife and country music superstar Trisha Yearwood. Tickets and information pertaining to this tour and all Garth news can be found at his website: garthbrooks.com.


readme01@mail.buffalostate.edu

Gilbert brings the rock, but Moore lets the night roll

Brantley Gilbert is known for his divergent take on modern country music.
Hard rock with country lyrics. And, it works.
But the question in my mind going into a muggy Friday night at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center was if Gilbert has enough hits and headliner material to actually headline a show.
You can be the judge of that, but only having four number one songs on the country charts, the night was filled with more songs unknown by concert goers.

Starting off the night with "Read Me My Rights", the venue was rocking with a outlaw-esque song. But Gilbert didn't get the crowd singing along until he did a cover of Jason Aldean's "Dirt Road Anthem"; which Gilbert co-wrote along with show opener Colt Ford and was the fourth song into his set.
From here on out it was a see-saw game with the fans. Playing only a few that fans would really know, unless you were a true Gilbert fan. Gilbert blasted out hits, "Country Must Be Country Wide", "One Hell of an Amen" and closed the night with his biggest single yet, "Bottoms Up".
At times I had to remind myself that I am at a country concert and not a Warped Tour rock show. But, that is Gilbert's style and fans ate it up. They loved it.

Opening act and country music riser Justin Moore stole the show with his set filled with hits and heartfelt tunes that fans for many years at Darien Lake have grown to love. Moore who has been to Darien Lake before, in 2014 with Miranda Lambert and last year with Brad Paisley, was as connected with the fans as he was ready to bring it.
Moore started the night off with hit "Point at You", but it was his 2011 number one hit "If Heaven Wasn't So Far Away" that set the bar for the night.
Moore's hits also include "Bait a Hook", "Letting the Night Roll" and current single "You Look Like I Need a Drink". 
Give it a year or two before you start to see Justin Moore's name on the big ticket. He's ready.

Show opener, Colt Ford gave the early small but ready crowd an early taste of what to expect for the night. Ford surprised the crowd with a cover of Eminem's "Lose Yourself", which wasn't that bad for a country crooner.


>>>Next up at Darien Lake is country legend Toby Keith. Keith will be bringing his Interstates and Tailgates tour to Darien Lake Friday, July 15th. Tickets still available at livenation.com.<<<



readme01@mail.buffalostate.edu