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“Nichols Brings REAL Country to Wisconsin”
By Christian Scalise
Joe Nichols Concert Review
Country star Joe Nichols brought a vast selection of traditional country songs and cover tunes to the Country Thunder USA festival Wednesday July 16th, 2008 in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin.
Even the scorching heat didn’t stop the fans from arriving early in the afternoon to secure a decent seat to catch the music superstar!
While some male artists TRY to sing country music and play the part, they lack the appreciation and knowledge for REAL country music. Nichols on the other hand could be thought of as the modern day George Jones with his impressive admiration for country music, and its history. It’s just a matter of time before he’s inducted into the Grand Ole Opry family.
Wearing a navy blue t-shirt with a pair of jeans Joe Nichols opened the show at 6:30pm with a rocking version of “Size Matters” and “What’s A Guy Gotta Do.”
Joe treated the fans to a heartfelt performance of his first #1 single, “The Impossible.” He thanked the audience for allowing the song to become his first hit!
The rowdy fans danced and sang along with Joe as he stepped out onto the catwalk interacting with the audience. Joe captivated the ladies attention while serenading them with his smooth vocals and good looks.
He breezed through hits “She Only Smokes When She Drinks,” “Brokenheartsville,” and the gentle ballad “I’ll Wait For You,” supplying the listeners with their favorite tunes!
A unique version of “Old McDonald Had A Beer Farm” prompted Joe to call upon the audience for their participation during the comical number!
Joe maintained a great rapport with the audience. Several times throughout the show he yelled out into the crowd encouraging them to get up and sing. He took a moment to jam with his band in between songs which allowed the players to display their musical talents.
Covers of rock group Nickelback’s hit song “Rockstar” and “A Country Boy Can Survive” by the legendary Hank Williams Jr. took to the audience. Joe’s cover of the Nickelback tune was an interesting choice to cover, but he pulled off his own “countrified” version!
“Let’s Get Drunk And Fight,” and Joe’s latest single “It Ain’t No Crime” showcased newer material from his latest album, “Real Things.”
The wildly rambunctious tune “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off” closed out the show at 7:45pm.
Set List;
1. Size Matters
2. What’s A Guy Gotta Do
3. The Impossible
4. A Country Boy Can Survive (Cover)
5. She Only Smokes When She Drinks
6. You Can’t Break The Fall
7. My Whiskey Years
8. Old McDonald Had A Farm Named Beer
9. I’ll Wait For You
10. Rockstar
11. Let’s Get Drunk And Fight
12. It Ain’t No Crime
13. Brokenheartsville
14. Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off
"
Underwood Rocks Country Thunder”
By Christian Scalise
Carrie Underwood Concert Review
Country music fans of all ages came out Wednesday night July 16th, 2008 to the Shadow Hill Ranch in Twin Lakes, WI to see their favorite “American Idol,” country music sweetheart Carrie Underwood! The festival’s opening night featured Underwood as the headliner marking her third appearance at the festival since her 2005 debut.
A large screen displaying high-tech imagery and video clips of Underwood with an intro to “Flat On The Floor” intensified the fans desire for her to take the stage!
Beginning promptly at 10:15pm, Carrie opened the show with electrifying performances of the up-beat tongue-in-cheek “Flat On The Floor” and serious story song “Wasted.” Looking flawless, Carrie sported a black button-up blouse with short shorts, and pair of black knee-high boots.
Carrie exuberantly greeted the crowd and thanked them for coming out to the show. “I’m extremely excited to be back at Country Thunder!” Carrie told the audience.
She sported an orange electric guitar for her pop-influenced performance of “Get Out Of This Town.”
“The More Boys I Meet” was dedicated to all the women in the audience trying to find Mr. Right. “The only man in my life is my dog Ace.” Carrie jokingly told the audience. Or wasn’t she?
Strutting the catwalk several times throughout the show, Carrie maintained a good connection with her fans by signing t-shirts, pictures, and other memorabilia at their requests. Several awestruck admirers showered her with red roses.
Adding a sentimental touch to the show, Carrie premiered “Just A Dream,” her latest single currently on its way to radio. Carrie captured the audience on the delicate ballad.
The mega-hit “Jesus Take The Wheel,” and a vocally explosive performance of “I Know You Won’t” followed; Carrie conveyed the raw emotions of the song to the listener. She mentioned to the audience that “Jesus Take The Wheel” is one of her very favorite songs to perform in concert.
An acoustic performance of “Don’t Forget To Remember Me,” created an intimate moment as Carrie sat on a stool backed by a trio of band members. Carrie told the audience how much the song meant to her. She also spoke of the loving relationship she has with her mother.
“Twisted,” “All American Girl,” “So Small,” and a cover of rock & roll band Guns N Roses “Poison City” followed. The song displayed Carrie’s rock influences.
Carrie performed a majority of songs from her latest album “Carnival Ride” Wednesday evening.
She told the audience that she was thankful to be able to headline the concert. “I’ve toured with some pretty great artists so far like Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, and Josh Turner. I’m very fortunate to have had the chance to work with them.” Carrie told the audience.
“Last Name” a song that tells the story of what happens when one drink becomes too many, had the audience on their feet while singing along with Carrie!
Carrie closed out her show with a sensational performance of “Before He Cheats.” She left the stage and the audience rose to their feet in applause. The show ended at 11:15pm.
Set List;
1. Flat On The Floor
2. Wasted
3. Get Out Of This Town
4. The More Boys I Meet
5. Just A Dream
6. Jesus Take The Wheel
7. I Know You Won’t
8. I Ain’t In Checotah Anymore
9. Last Name
10. Don’t Forget To Remember Me
11. Twisted
12. All American Girl
13. So Small
14. Poison City (Cover)
15. Before He Cheats
If you click on the above link, then click on home, it brings up the magazine with Carrie on the cover (which she won by a poll) and Carrie's "All-American Girl" is playing in the background.
A few mistakes like Paradise City is the name of the song not Poison City.
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