Kid Rock Concert Recap - Kansas City 11/30/11

Last night, Kid Rock was at the Midland doing a benefit for a couple of charities.  It was his CARE tour where he donated money at each stop to some local charities and played a really small place.  It was a great night.

Opening the night was Ty Stone.  This is the third time I have seen him and he was just as good as always.  How many guys can go out there with just a guitar and rock the house?

He only got to play a few songs but what he played went over really well.  I am sure he got some new fans last night which is the whole point on a tour.  The only song by him that I have ever heard on any radio is "American Style" which is by far one of the better songs that any station ever plays.

Next up....KID ROCK

This is the third time I have seen Kid Rock in a full concert, not counting the times in Nashville.  He is such a fun performer with more energy than should be allowed really.  And in such a small place last night, it was right there for everyone to feel.

With a smaller venue, he did play more old school songs than I had heard before...not a bad thing though.  I always love it when they change up the set list as long as they keep the big hits in there.

And one of those biggest hits is "Cowboy"...

Kid Rock has such a great stage presence.  The Midland holds about 3000 people and it felt like he looked at every person in there and acknowledged they were there.  He seemed so happy to be there and I wasn't sure he was ever go to end the show.

During his performance of Care, he spoke about the charities the concert was helping.  It was such a cool moment where he got pretty emotional.  He asked everyone to just give Detroit another look so he was really doing the concert for our local charities and as a good will ambassador for his home town.

Of course, he did get behind the turntable for a bit...

And he played drums on one song...

And then the place really went crazy when he played "Bawitdaba".  I am not sure it comes across here how crazy it really was but it felt like the place was shaking...

Overall, it was such a special night.  Last time Kid Rock was here he sold out the much bigger Sprint Center and this time it was the small Midland.  It sounded like he might have just been bored with his son going to college and he decided to do a small tour where he could help out.  It really shows how cool he is and why people were there to see him again.

And his last song was "Bore Free" which is the best way he could have closed the show...

Gary Allan Concert Recap - Kansas City 11/18/11

Last night at the Voodoo Lounge was Gary Allan.  I have to admit I went to one of his show 2 years ago and didn't think it was that great.  Maybe it was because I was there to actually see Eric Church open and didn't give him a chance...not sure.  But when "Get off On the Pain" came out, I really started to like him.

It was nice to have a show start before 10 PM and not to have to sit through an opening act I have never heard of.  Gary Allan started the show around 820 and had the crowd with the whole time. 

I think the venue really helped make this a special concert.  It is so small, just makes it such a good atmosphere.  Not only that, the sound was perfect.  Actually so good you would almost think they could have made a live album that night and released it.

Like I said earlier, the song that made me really like him was "Get Off on the Pain" so I had to capture that one...

One of the thing that made this show so much better was the fast that it looked like he was having a great time.  He was smiling, drinking straight Jack Daniels, throwing guitar picks everywhere...it was just nice to see.  Sometimes his songs are a little sad so it was nice to see him having fun.

Gary has some surprisingly good love songs.  They are more realistic than most of them out there.   "Learning how to Bend" is such a good one...I like it so much I didn't even want to record it so I could hear it.  Instead, I got another good one..."Best I Ever Had"

Gary Allan doesn't talk a ton between songs...he will talk about a song a little bit then he goes right into it.  That makes it a pretty tight show...

I am so glad I went to this show.  I go to lots of shows and they just are not all this great.  He has so many hits and even the songs I don't know sound so familiar.  I hope he is back soon...

And finally what I think is his signature song...."Watching Airplanes"

Casey Donahew Band Concert Recap - Lawrence 11/17/11

Last night was Casey Donahew Band at the Granada in Lawrence.  They have had 3 shows the last few weeks I had been to and this is the last one.  I have been going there forever and had never been to one that is sold out.  It makes it a little crazy with all of the college kids but it turned out to be really fun.

I had seen CDB in March at the Granada and I was hooked.  If they come around close, I am always going to be there for sure.

The good thing is between the March show and last night, there was new music from the band.  The new album is really great and one of the first songs was the first single 'Double-Wide Dream".

The band has such a cult following...it is hard to believe there are so many country fans that have no idea who they are but can draw such a big crowd.  It might be the last time they can play at the Granada though...it is going that good for them

I think one of the best things about the band is how real they are...they seem like genuine fans of music.  They slip in lots of little covers into songs and they just seem like nice people.  Maybe it is because he always talks about his family, tells people to stop throwing beer or whatever...someone offered him a beer up front and he actually said "No, thank you".  Just a normal guy up there singing..

But being a nice guy does nothing if you don't have good music.  Fortunately, this is not an issue.  They have so many good songs covering their home of Texas, love and even about the more rural lifestyle in America.

On the new album, they even did a sequel to "White Trash Story"...

The band sounded good as always...they did a good job of mixing up the setlist.  They would have a slow song, a fast song...a song that was new and then a song that everyone in the place new every word.

They also talked about the love of the 2nd amendment...and told a story about how more and more girls know how to use guns.  One of my favorite songs for sure..."12 Gauge"

I am thinking they may be impressed that they come all the way to Lawrence and have such a huge following.  The last show had quite a crowd but this one was way more full.  When they come back next time, they might have to hit a bigger place in KC.

And of course, their signature song "White Trash Story"...

Guns N Roses Concert Recap - Kansas City 11/12/11

Last night was Guns N Roses at the Sprint Center.  When people ask me what my favorite concert ever was, it is from 1992...Guns N Roses & Metallica at Arrowhead.  It is probably because I was young, had to leave school, we stayed out all night before to get tickets....it was just a whole experience.  Guns N Roses has changed greatly since then, but the songs are so great the concert was still fun.

The opening act was Adelitas Way...didn't really know anything about them...

To be fair, I don't think there is any new rock act that would get me to like them. Even worse, the sound mix was terrible.  You couldn't understand the words and some of the time you couldn't even tell if he was singing or not.  The lead singer knew there was a problem even.  The less said about them from me, the better!

They ended around 10:15.   We knew it would be a late night, once Guns N Roses came on it was around 11 PM.  Most concerts at the Sprint Center are over by then...

The opening song was "Chinese Democracy"...it was a common theme of the night....Play something from Chinese Democracy then play one of the classics.  So song #2 was "Welcome to the Jungle"...

The biggest thing with the current Guns N Roses is that it is all Axl.  Very true, it would be so great to have Slash and all the original members back but I am not sure that is going to happen.  The current band still sounds great, Axl can still sing and move like before and the songs are classics.  If there is a reunion I will be there....

During guitar solos and during songs, Axl would go back to this little room at the back of the stage.  No idea what he was doing back there...we were kind of thinking there were two Axls since they played so long and so many songs.  I would love to know the real story!

Everyone in the band got a chance to do a solo....this is never for me but I can understand why people like it.  It really makes the show quite long that way...it ended up ending around 2 AM

One of my favorite Guns songs has always been "November Rain".  Was very excited that they played that...not that there was ever a doubt!

Axl seemed very happy to be there.  He was smiling and running around all night.  He even told a story about him not wanting to be the singer but he did it for girls and free beer.  It made him seem like a much normal person and not the person you hear about in the press all the time.

Even though they have so many songs, they played a couple covers...."The Wall" & "Whole Lotta Rosie"...that was definitely interesting but fun.

One of the best songs by Guns N Roses is for sure "Patience"...one of the most unique songs by them without a doubt!

If you are going to have an encore, you will be lucky to have a song like "Paradise City".  An awesome way to end the night!

Overall, it was such a fun night.  It was great to see Axl sing all the Guns N Roses songs...most definitely worth it.  If they come to your town, get to the show!

Corey Smith Concert Recap - Lawrence, KS 11/09/11

Last night was Corey Smith at the Granada in Lawrence, KS.  I had seen Corey Smith in KC this summer at the Power & Light District.  Very excited to see him again but it was a much different show this time.

Some of the songs I was hoping for last time were on the setlist last night and some I had never heard were added.  Not complaining, it is good to hear something different.

Corey Smith is just an awesome singer and songwriter.  He is not country really, even though I do love country, he is more of a folk/rock artist or something.  Don't really care what he is since it is good music.

A good way to show that is by one of my favorite songs by him, "I Love Everyone!"

The Granada is a fun place to see a show.  Not sure, but sometimes I do feel like I am getting too old for there.  People are way more about drinking than the music.  But hey, people were having fun!  I didn't see any fights or anything either so the night was a win.

Corey puts on such a fun show.  Earlier this year, he just gave away the song "Drugs".  I think it is a pretty creative song...I heard him play it last time and wanted to make sure I got it on video this time.

A college town is a perfect place for Corey Smith to perform.  He had plenty of crazy people there on a Wed night.  Those lucky students got to sleep in!

One of my biggest complaints last time was that Corey didn't play two of my favorite songs.  I am not sure if P&L asked him not to or what...but I was glad I got to hear them this time.  Pretty much all night, the crowd was yelling out for this one...

And finally, the last song was "If That's Country" which is a song about some of the people who sing country music today.  To make it clear it was kind of joke, he went through parts of a ton of songs.  It was pretty damn cool.

Corey Smith is a concert you should go to.  How do you describe it?  Who the hell knows...and who the hell cares?  It is a good time with a good guy who likes to write songs about his life and things we can all relate to.  Can't wait till he comes back again!

Josh Abbott Band & Rich O'Toole Concet Recap - Lawrence, KS 11/05/11

Last night, in Lawrence was a great double bill of Rich O'Toole and the Josh Abbott Band.  It was a young, wild college crowd that both acts had eating out of their hands.

I was very excited to see Rich O'Toole.  I had heard several songs by him and was hoping he would come here some time.  The fact that it was paired with Josh Abbott Band just made it even better.

One of the highlights of the entire night was when Josh Abbott came out to sing with him.  I wish I would have got it on video and I really wish I could have got it with better light in pictures..still it was sweet.

The college crowd was a perfect place for Rich O'Toole.  Even though I don't think anyone really knew who he was...they were really into him!

I think his best song is "The Cricket Song"...it is so simple but makes such a statement.  Also, it is so different than the rest of his music.

And his most famous song?  It has to be "Marijuana and Jalapenos"...I love it even though I have no use for either.  I have no problem listening to a song and liking a song about it though...

Next up was the headliner....Josh Abbott Band.  The crowd was totally ready for them and they went crazy when they finally came out.

I had never seen Josh Abbott before so I was curious to see how they sounded live.  Well, no problems there.  They seem to be one of the more sweet Texas style bands.  There are more songs about love than the other ones in my opinion.

One of the songs that really shows that is "Miss You Again"...very nice song.

Josh Abbot Band is really suited for a college town...the young kids there really like his message.  I wonder how they would play in a bigger town like KC...I was trying to picture where they would play and what the attendance would look like.  I know I would be there though.

Josh seemed very excited to be in Lawrence.  He was out hanging at the bar in the Granada watching football before the game.  I thought about asking him to shake hands or get a picture but I didn't want to interrupt his football watching or draw attention to him.

Overall, it was a great night.  You can see why they are becoming so popular and there really is no reason why it should stop.

And one of the best songs that sounded really great last night...."She's Like Texas".

John Conlee Concert Recap - Middle Creek Opry 11/05/11

Yesterday afternoon, I went to see John Conlee at the Middle Creek Opry.  I think this is the third time I have seen him there, he never disappoints.

John Conlee, a member of the Grand Ole Opry, has so many hits that he can pretty much just go through them all and call it a day.  He was a staple of country radio in the late 1970s and early 1980s.  On any station that plays older country, he still is...

John still sounds great too.  He has one of the most unique voices ever in music.  My favorite moment was early on when he played back to back, "Backside of Thirty" & "Friday Night Blues".

During "Busted", people always come up and give John money.  He puts the money in the bucket for the Wounded Warrior Project.  It is a cool tradition that maybe more artists should start.

The songs that John Conlee sing are so awesome too.  They are a mix of songs about love, lost love and sentimentality.  There are days I just turn his Greatest Hits on and let it play.  This concert was like doing that, except he was there singing it live.

And John Conlee's signature hit?  "Rose Colored Glasses" and he always puts on the glasses to sing the song.  It is one of probably 20 certified country music staples that really defines the genre.

John Conlee is a true living legend.  I love him and his music and I hope he comes back again soon...

Tesla Concert Recap - Kansas City 11/04/11

Last night at the Midland was Tesla.  Not sure how it is possible, but I had never seen them before. 

It is 20 anniversary of Five Man Acoustic Jam, one of those CDs I listened to all the time when I was in High School.  It was so great back then and really still is.

I had front row tickets which was pretty cool.  I got several high fives from the band which is always fun. 

There was a kid right in front that the band saw and pulled him up on stage...it was a pretty cool moment and showed how down to earth Tesla is...

Another great thing about being in front...guitar picks...

Tesla played many of the same covers that were on Five Man Acoustic Jam...they pretty much sounded just like they did on the CD.  Pretty awesome.

During the final set of songs, they went through their biggest hits which got a gigantic reaction from the crowd.  Of course, the biggest one was for "Love Song"

The encore was good too...."What You Give" is such a great song...

The last song of the night was "Signs"...it was really cool too!

Overall, the entire night was so much fun.  Tesla may be a little older but they are still just as good as they ever were.  I have never seen them "plugged in", but I am not sure there is any way it can be as good as them acoustic.  If this tour hits your town, you have to go...

Eden's Edge Concert Recap - Kansas City 11/02/11

Last night, 106.5 The Wolf had another Howlin' Happy Hour at Cheeseburger in Paradise. This time it is one of my favorite new artists, Eden's Edge.

I had actually seen Eden's Edge in July opening up for Kellie Pickler.  They were so new then I had barely even heard of them.  I found out about that show two days before and didn't know they were even going to be there till the day of the show.  I took my daughter to it and she really loved it.  This time the entire family went.

The only really bad thing about the whole night was the lighting.  It was bad for pictures and videos.  I was directly under the light rig but it just wasn't working.  If that is your only complaint though, you know it was a good night.

I am sure Eden's Edge gets tired of being compared to Lady Antebellum but it would be almost impossible not to see it.  Plus, they are touring with them this fall (where we will see them again) so I am sure it will get raised more and more, which to me is a great compliment.  Instead of two guys and a girl, they are two girls and a guy...the results are still the same.  Great songs, melodies and a sound that is so easy to enjoy.

They all seemed so excited to be there.  I think that is the most fun part of seeing someone with new success, they completely appreciate it.  Even though it was a restaurant, they treated it like they were playing the Ryman again which they did the night before.

Here they are performing their first hit, "Amen".  

I also got to meet them after which was cool.  They seemed really nice.  I told them I had seen them before and they kept thanking me for coming back.  It makes it really easy to root for a band when they seem so happy to meet the fans and play their music.

They did a cool music montage in the middle of their set.  I really loved how they sounded on Two Doors Down.

 

Here is the pass to get in that they signed...

 

Overall, it was a really fun night.  It is always great to see a new band...and it makes me happy when they seem as cool as you hoped.  I can't wait to see them again open for Lady Antebellum in Springfield, MO in December.  

Finally, here is a song called "Roots" that shows how great of musicians they are and how they are partially influenced by bluegrass...