2005 Country Concerts Reviews

About me: I have a wide variety of musical tastes. I like Metal, Rock, Old School Rap, Country and smatterings of other types of music.

This is about country - - all kinds. Country music has become too diverse to define these days. You have traditional; neo - traditional (traditional with a modern edge); Southern/Country Rock; Bluegrass; New Grass; Americana and Alternative. Unfortunately, like with all genres, you also have commercial garbage.

I give it all a chance. Everyone brave enough to risk themselves in front of a crowd of strangers deserves that chance. A few times I have suprised myself and actually liked something I did not think I would. And have found a song or two I like from artists that normally make me cringe.

This is just my opinion, hopefully given without too much bias. Who knows, maybe it will make the reader give an artist a try that you may never have considered (or even heard of) before.

WMZQ/Country Fest
Location: Nissan Pavillion, Bristow, VA
Date: May 7, 2005
Artists: Lauren Lucas; Jon Randall; Amber Dotson; Jason Aldean; Rebecca Lynn Howard; Keith Anderson; Shelly Fairchild; Brian McComas; Jamie O'Neal; Phil Vassar; Charlie Daniels; Lonestar
Pictures

Every year since moving to the DC Metro area I go to WMZQFest (for the last 6 of 15 years previously known as Bull Run Country Jamboree)aka Country Fest (when advertised on other stations).

I like that the new artists do a short acoustic set on a side stage. To me this shows if the performer has any real talent. Too many need the screaming guitars and drum licks. Each set is about 30 minutes long.

I was not turned off by any act. Only left with "gonna wait and see" with one.

Lauren Lucas: her current single is called "The Carolina Kind" She has a kind of folksey sound to her. But she did get rocking on a couple of songs. Didnt sound like but she was reminiscent of Emmylou Harris. If her cd is as good, I will be picking it up. (of course I dont know if it has been released yet )

Jon Randall: I now think I have seen him before. In Nashville. But who knows. Rocky Blue Grass style. Gee who would guess I would like someone who reminds me of Pinmonkey & Shannon Lawson. His dobro player was not as good as I am used to (Chad, Shannon, Jerry) but his band played well together. Same as Lauren - if his cd is even half as good, it will be worth getting.

Amber Dotson: I wanna hear her cd when it comes out. She was very country. It was obvious why George Strait asked her to join him on tour.

Jason Aldean: This is my eh act. I didnt hate him. Didnt love him. He just didnt do anything for me. Probably just not my style. I woudlnt walk out on him (which I have done with others) and I wouldnt deliberately arrive late to miss him as an opening act. But right now, I wont go to just see him. He was good - but didnt click with me.

Rebecca Lynn Howard: I saw her once many years ago and was not impressed. I was impressed with yesterday's show. Even her acoustic version of "Forgive" was better than the recorded version I heard (and didnt like). If she has changed her style (I have been told she used to be very country. Some acts are more suited to pop or rock styles, she is more suited to the country) I will keep an eye (ear?) on her

Keith Anderson: the boy rocks! Great stage presence. Sounds like his cd. Charming, funny and he seemed to just enjoy playing. Great interaction with both his band and the audience. Did I mention the eye candy? And them eyes look better in person than in pictures. Got his cd and got it autographed. Already checked his schedule for another date. I have not gotten this hooked after just one short performance since discovering Pinmonkey (my all time favorite group of musicians and people)

Shelly Fairchild: I had seen her on the Opry and was wanting to check her out some more. I really like that country mixed with a little Delta Blues (yeah - I like Steve Azar too) She was really good. I would like to see a full band set from her.

Brian McComas: Love Brian. I have seen him several times. This was my third acoustic set with him (just him and Kevin Keys{always afraid I have spelt that wrong}) One guitar. Kevin can really play. Brian was worth the price of admission.

So far, I have already gotten more than my money's worth. But there is still more to the show.

Main Stage:

Jamie ONeal: She looks fantastic after loosing her baby weight. I havent had the opportunity to see her live since Fall 2003. I have never been disappointed in her shows. Still not sure about her cd, there are a couple songs I really like, a couple I didnt finish listening to, a couple I could take or leave. May just go iTunes for the ones I like here. But live, it was very good.

Phil Vassar: Phil always does a high energy entertaining show. But the sound was way off. I have seen him enough to know that there was something wrong with it, so it wasnt his usual quality. Kinda diappointed in that, but I dont blame Phil. If this was anyones first experience with Phil live, see him again, you did not get the true Phil experience.

Charlie Daniels: He may be as old as Willie Nelson, but the man ROCKS. If they had skipped Lonestar and let him keep going, I would have loved it. He was more than worth the price of admission. I loved the deafaning roar that came when he did the encore of "Devil Went Down to Georgia".

Lonestar: After all the no frills, scaled down, focus on the music acts before them, the arena rock opener for Lonestar left me cold. Admittedly I am not a major fan, but I am also not a fan of the light show opening. It was too loud after the toned down but rocking 11 acts leading up to it. Their act just seemed out of place. Stayed for only a couple of songs and then left. The lot was already jammed with cars leaving. It could have just been that it was cold, people came with kids, it had been a long day.

All in all, I would say I got much more than my $30 worth.

WPOC Sunday in the Country
Location: Merriweather Post Pavillion; Columbia, MD
Date: August 7, 2005
Artists:Blaine Larson; Sugarland; Pat Green; Jo Dee Messina
Pictures

Another multi-artist all day festival by one of the local stations. WMZQ and WPOC are the only local stations that still do these festivals.

Blaine Larsen: Young kid with a huge voice. Traditional sound aith the likes of Joe Nichols and Brad Paisley. His material was age appropriate while still being age-less. Definately one to keep an eye on for the future.

Sugarland: Upbeat and contemporary, while managing to avoid being trendy. The trio works together to entertain the whole audience. Powerful vocals combine with great musicianship that can give them staying power beyond the latest industry fad. Though not fully to my personal taste, they do a great show. Talented and entertaining. I would go see them again.

Pat Green: Rough around the edges Americana. Style, personality and music all perfectly meshed together to make an entertainer. There are many who prefer the polished, pretty country acts. Pat is not for them. If you like real music with no frills - just honest lyrics and talent, you will not be disappointed in Pat. He is there to just sing, not to impress. But impress he does.

Jo Dee Messina: Jo Dee has been around for a while now. She has toured with superstars, sold alot of cds and had a few hit songs and videos. She still seems to be trying. She doesnt come out with an attitude that says "Look I am a star". Its more of a "I'm gonna do my best to knock your socks off". I have never been much of a Jo Dee fan. She has a few songs I enjoy. But over the years I have seen her improve. Pick better music, deliver better and evolve into a top entertainer. I still wouldn't call myself a fan. But it is definately time for Jo Dee to get the recognition she has worked so hard for. And is continuing to work hard for. She is the real deal.

Keith Urban: A year ago it seemed no one knew who Keith Urban was. Then KABOOM! He is the it boy of the moment in Country Music. I have been a fan from the start - when he could walk around out side his own concert and no one knew who he was. To be honest, I have never considered him "country". More of a rock artist along the lines of John Mellencamp or Bryan Adams. I have always considered him a talented artist and top notch entertainer. And that hasnt changed.

Keith Anderson
Location: The Pub; Harrisonburg, VA
Date: September 2, 2005
Pictures

If you think Country/Southern Rock has gone away. Don't. Keith Anderson is keeping it alive and well.

Found out this show was sold out so I get me a spot in front of the stage thinking there wont be any different camera angles for this one. As the opening act goes on, I realize I forgot the spare card and my ear plugs (I am leaning on a speaker) The line was out to the street so neither of us could go back to the car.

He gave a solid Country Rock performance. He plays with the crowd and his band. He is simply an entertainer.

His cd is call Three Cord Country and American Rock and Roll. It describes his musical style perfectly. If you want trendy corporate music. Keith is not for you. If you want traditional country, not for you either. If you are like me and love the Eagles, Skynyrd, Allman Brothers, Mellencamp, Haggard, Waylon and that crowd - give Keith a listen. You will like what you hear.

Many folks give him a try because he is hott. Hopefully they all realize he is much more than that. As one guy said - his gilfriend can drag him to a show so she can drool, cuz this guy rocks.

Many wont give him a try because they figure him for another Nashville created pretty boy with a great pro-tools technician. They need to see him live. I wont say he is not good looking - I would be lying. But as one woman experiencing him for the first time said "He sounds even better than he looks".

It was cool with the crowd singing along to every tune (I hope he could hear that)

I got the opportunity to spend a couple minutes with him after the show. Unlike alot of performers, he looks you in the eye and talks to you not at you, like he is in a rush to move on.

Drove my 150 miles back and got home at 330 - so I was only up for 23 1/2 hours....not quite 24. It was worth every mile and the lack of sleep.

Just a little aside: Since Pinmonkey stopped touring, I have not been able to get motivated to go to shows only 20 to 30 miles from my house.

I saw the Keith date and said no way I am going to miss this - even at 150 miles each way.

He is the only act since P-Mo that has motivated me to go to a concert. Considering in under 3 years I saw them 47 times in 19 states.....tells you how I feel about them. Keith is the only other act right now who gets me excited abut going to a concert. Everybody else its just - "but its not a Pinmonkey show."