My blog is going to be about everything country! I'll be posting my reviews of recent albums and songs I've listened to. As well as my views on various topics regarding country music and artists. So enjoy and feel free to comment! 
Top 3 Concerts of 2008
Posted 08-25-2008 at 12:39 PM by acdog15
2008, like every other year, has been a great year for country concerts here in Arizona. So far, I’ve attended 5 shows and I am hoping to add four more to list before the year is over. Here are the 5 shows I have attended thus far:
April 20 – Country Thunder in Florence, AZ
Featuring Dierks Bentley, Kellie Pickler, Billy Ray Cyrus, Heartland, Bucky Covington, Harry Luge, Luke Bryan, Chuck Wicks
May 2 – Carrie Underwood with Josh Turner in Tucson, AZ
May 31 – Kenny Chesney in Glendale, AZ
Featuring Keith Urban, Sammy Hagar, and Gary Allan
June 12 – Brad Paisley in Phoenix, AZ
Featuring Jewel, Chuck Wicks, and Julianne Hough
June 25 – Tim McGraw in Phoenix, AZ
Featuring Jason Aldean and Halfway to Hazard
All the shows had something good and something bad about them. But, I’ve been able to rank the top three shows so far this year. Here’s the rankings and why I picked them.
3 – Paisley Part Tour (Brad Paisley, Jewel, Chuck Wicks, Julianne Hough)
I was very excited for this show because I had not seen Brad in concert since he was on tour with Brooks and Dunn on their Neon Circus and Wild West Show back in 2003. Since that tour, of course, he’s been nominated for Entertainer of the Year at both the ACM’s and the CMA’s so I that elevated the hype more so my expectations were very high. And boy, not only did he deliver, but every single artist on the bill delivered as well! Newcomers Hough and Wicks delivered strong sets considering they both have just one album under their belts. Along with them was Jewel, who played some songs from her new country album, Perfectly Clear, and also some of her well known pop hits that have made her a superstar in music. Then, of course, Mr. Paisley put together one of the best shows I’ve ever seen filled with hits and some new stuff from his 5th Gear album. If the show itself wasn’t enough, getting to meet Julianne Hough and Chuck Wicks before and after the show was just as amazing. They are both amazing!
2 – Carnival Ride Tour 2008 (Carrie Underwood, Josh Turner)
I almost didn’t go to this show. Not only was it in Tucson, which is an hour and half drive from where I live, but I had to work that day. Luckily, someone invented EBAY and that’s where I was able to score two eighth row tickets AND I was scheduled to work 9 to 3 that day. So I was able to make the show and again, I was very happy I did! Josh Turner, who has been on my “need to see” list since his debut back in 2003, put on a great show filled with hits like “Would You Go with Me” and “Firecracker” along with stuff from his latest album, Everything is Fine. He definitely fulfilled my expectations. Then, of course, Ms. Carrie Underwood delivered one of the best shows I have ever seen her perform. I’d seen her three time prior to that but none since she was an opening act on Kenny Chesney’s tour in 2006. She has indeed grown as a performer and entertainer and she blew me away! It was great show and definitely worth the drive!!
1 – Poets and Pirates Stadium Tour (Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Sammy Hagar, Gary Allan)
Not since George Strait’s stadium festivals had I ever been to a concert in a football stadium. Also, I had never been more excited for a show. I’m not the biggest of Kenny Chesney fans, but this show tops my list of concerts this year, but not because of Kenny. The day started out with Gary Allan delivering a surprisingly strong set that was loaded with old and new hits and new stuff from his album, Living Hard. After Allan, I walked around the arena because I really didn’t care about Sammy Hagar’s set. Judging from his screaming voice, I’m glad I missed it! But the highlight of the night was definitely Keith Urban. In my opinion, Kenny was definitely out performed this year with Urban on the bill. With a seemingly short set, Urban delivered with his outstanding guitar skills and his unbelievable stage presence that seems to come so naturally…not to mention his vocal talents. Though filled with mostly radio hits, he was still able to switch up each one and give us more than just what we hear on the radio and I appreciate that. After Urban was Kenny of course and to me, his set was no different than his previous tours other than the addition of a few more radio songs. It was a bit predictable but still a great show!
I’ve been very lucky to attend so many shows this year and I’m hoping to add four more shows. Upcoming scheduled shows here in Arizona are:
Sept. 5 – Sugarland
Sept. 11 – Lady Antebellum (which I have 4th row tickets too…look for my review on Sept. 12)
Oct. 17 – Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton
Nov. 7 – Carrie Underwood and Little Big Town
Not sure if anyone will read this but if you do, what have been your favorite country shows of the year??
April 20 – Country Thunder in Florence, AZ
Featuring Dierks Bentley, Kellie Pickler, Billy Ray Cyrus, Heartland, Bucky Covington, Harry Luge, Luke Bryan, Chuck Wicks
May 2 – Carrie Underwood with Josh Turner in Tucson, AZ
May 31 – Kenny Chesney in Glendale, AZ
Featuring Keith Urban, Sammy Hagar, and Gary Allan
June 12 – Brad Paisley in Phoenix, AZ
Featuring Jewel, Chuck Wicks, and Julianne Hough
June 25 – Tim McGraw in Phoenix, AZ
Featuring Jason Aldean and Halfway to Hazard
All the shows had something good and something bad about them. But, I’ve been able to rank the top three shows so far this year. Here’s the rankings and why I picked them.
3 – Paisley Part Tour (Brad Paisley, Jewel, Chuck Wicks, Julianne Hough)
I was very excited for this show because I had not seen Brad in concert since he was on tour with Brooks and Dunn on their Neon Circus and Wild West Show back in 2003. Since that tour, of course, he’s been nominated for Entertainer of the Year at both the ACM’s and the CMA’s so I that elevated the hype more so my expectations were very high. And boy, not only did he deliver, but every single artist on the bill delivered as well! Newcomers Hough and Wicks delivered strong sets considering they both have just one album under their belts. Along with them was Jewel, who played some songs from her new country album, Perfectly Clear, and also some of her well known pop hits that have made her a superstar in music. Then, of course, Mr. Paisley put together one of the best shows I’ve ever seen filled with hits and some new stuff from his 5th Gear album. If the show itself wasn’t enough, getting to meet Julianne Hough and Chuck Wicks before and after the show was just as amazing. They are both amazing!
2 – Carnival Ride Tour 2008 (Carrie Underwood, Josh Turner)
I almost didn’t go to this show. Not only was it in Tucson, which is an hour and half drive from where I live, but I had to work that day. Luckily, someone invented EBAY and that’s where I was able to score two eighth row tickets AND I was scheduled to work 9 to 3 that day. So I was able to make the show and again, I was very happy I did! Josh Turner, who has been on my “need to see” list since his debut back in 2003, put on a great show filled with hits like “Would You Go with Me” and “Firecracker” along with stuff from his latest album, Everything is Fine. He definitely fulfilled my expectations. Then, of course, Ms. Carrie Underwood delivered one of the best shows I have ever seen her perform. I’d seen her three time prior to that but none since she was an opening act on Kenny Chesney’s tour in 2006. She has indeed grown as a performer and entertainer and she blew me away! It was great show and definitely worth the drive!!
1 – Poets and Pirates Stadium Tour (Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Sammy Hagar, Gary Allan)
Not since George Strait’s stadium festivals had I ever been to a concert in a football stadium. Also, I had never been more excited for a show. I’m not the biggest of Kenny Chesney fans, but this show tops my list of concerts this year, but not because of Kenny. The day started out with Gary Allan delivering a surprisingly strong set that was loaded with old and new hits and new stuff from his album, Living Hard. After Allan, I walked around the arena because I really didn’t care about Sammy Hagar’s set. Judging from his screaming voice, I’m glad I missed it! But the highlight of the night was definitely Keith Urban. In my opinion, Kenny was definitely out performed this year with Urban on the bill. With a seemingly short set, Urban delivered with his outstanding guitar skills and his unbelievable stage presence that seems to come so naturally…not to mention his vocal talents. Though filled with mostly radio hits, he was still able to switch up each one and give us more than just what we hear on the radio and I appreciate that. After Urban was Kenny of course and to me, his set was no different than his previous tours other than the addition of a few more radio songs. It was a bit predictable but still a great show!
I’ve been very lucky to attend so many shows this year and I’m hoping to add four more shows. Upcoming scheduled shows here in Arizona are:
Sept. 5 – Sugarland
Sept. 11 – Lady Antebellum (which I have 4th row tickets too…look for my review on Sept. 12)
Oct. 17 – Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton
Nov. 7 – Carrie Underwood and Little Big Town
Not sure if anyone will read this but if you do, what have been your favorite country shows of the year??
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Recent Blog Entries by acdog15
- CMA Nominations (09-10-2008)
- Top 3 Concerts of 2008 (08-25-2008)
- My First Entry! (08-25-2008)
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