I keed. As I texted a couple of you the past couple of days, I took the wife to see Luke Bryan Friday night in Atlanta. She's in love with the man and wants to have his babies so I gave her the tix as a gift. Have to admit it was a damn good show. I know we've had a lot of debate over what "country" music is or has become but that's not the point here. Sometimes, it's just a matter of watching a live performance and getting the opportunity to see some awesome musicians up close. We were dead center with the stage about 4 rows back so that was definitely the case.
Two opening acts with Cole Swindell and Lee Brice. I've played the guitar all my life so I pay more attention to what's going on there than the actual artist most of the time. And you can imagine that these record companies are marketing the stars, but they damn well make sure they're backed up by the best musicians they can find. But I also have to admit that both Brice and Bryan are pretty good musicians in their own right. Brice ripped up several leads during his set and Bryan played the piano, acoustic and electric guitars quite well.
Just an observation on the crowd. Two nights, both sold out for the 20,000 seat amphitheater. The best thing I can compare it to is an Auburn football game. Walking to the venue, it was mostly young, college age kids tailgating, music playing, cooking out, drinking heavily and every girl there had the little sundress on with cowboy boots. Just a typical Fall Saturday afternoon on the Plains. I'm not a big country music fan and I'm not running out and buying any Luke Bryan CD's. (The wife already downloaded all of it) But overall, it was an entertaining night watching young girls in sundresses, drinking cold Sweetwater 420's on draft and watching some killer musicians. I'd consider another one.