Concert Reviews

Wallen proves "Dangerous" at the Ryman

January 12, 2021 - It's been quite a few days for Morgan Wallen. He shot to the top of sales charts with his ultra generous "Dangerous the Double Album." And now he was playing a livestream show from The Ryman – headlining it for the first time. Wallen kicked it off playing solo keyboards on the ...

With music from the heart, Avett Brothers end year on high note

December 31, 2020 - It had been nearly a year since the Avett Brothers last played a gig. So what better way to end a most dismal year but with the return of the band. Of course, their 17th annual New Year's Eve gig - Ring In 2021 with the Avett Brothers - was a lot different than any of their others thanks to Covid-19. ...

After a rocking start, going acoustic serves Gilbert well

December 30, 2020 - Brantley Gilbert seemed to leave little doubt from where he was coming from – at least early on. He may be on the country charts, but Gilbert rocked out big time during his livestream show, starting with "Kick It in the Sticks." It was loud and rocking hard with lots of guitars and name ...

ZBB provides musical antidote

December 27, 2020 - The Zac Brown Band could have been called upon to provide the musical antidote to a difficult year and a most different holiday season. And that they did in a special concert relying mainly on their hits. ZBB kicked off the night with their 2015 hit, "Homegrown," an ode to small town life ...

Robison, Willis provide perfect antidote even if not weird

December 20, 2020 - Bruce Robison billed the soon to be live streamed Bruce & Kelly's Holiday Shut-In Shindig (A Virtual Special) as the "weirdest show ever" as he sat live with wife and fellow performer Kelly Willis both dressed in green and red at their home in Texas. The 21st edition of the show, ...

Asleep at the Wheel keeps it merry 'yall

December 19, 2020 - Asleep at the Wheel founder Ray Benson made it clear he was in the holiday spirit with his outrageous jacket and tie of white reindeer and green Christmas tree motifs on the red jacket, not to mention his white Santa beard. Let's say he was dressed for the occasion – the first ever Merry ...

The Mavericks continue living up to their name - even at Christmas

December 19, 2020 - The Mavericks have long done it their way. Starting as a country band out of Miami, their sound has morphed over the decades, but it should come as no surprise that the long-running band brings the same level of energy and engagement to holiday songs, sticking to their style as they did in the recorded ...

Tuttle has more than found herself

December 17, 2020 - When Molly Tuttle moved to Nashville about five years ago after finishing her studies at Berklee College of Music in Boston, she was trying to find herself as a musician. It wasn't so easy, she related while introducing "Good Enough" early on during her last of three livestream ...

Williams brings the blues to Christmas

December 17, 2020 - "Happy friggin' Christmas," said Lucinda Wiliams at the outset of her (sort of) livestream concert. "Rockin' around the Christmas tree has never held as much meaning as it does this year." Williams hit the nail on the head with that comment, but if you were expecting an ...

Rice provides the necessary heat

December 13, 2020 - Chase Rice decided to hold one of his livestreams during an especially cold night on his farm. When he took a break to let a couple special guests sing a few songs, the cigar he smoked may have been as much for warmth as it was for pleasure. When he was center stage, however, he let his band's ...

Yin/yang of Carlile only underscores her greatness

December 13, 2020 - Brandi Carlile was "Still Home for the Holidays" as her livestream concert attested. Decked out in a Santa hat at her home, Carlile promised "a whole shitload of Christmas music" with one of her band mates, Phil Hanseroth, popping the bubbly and sharing the proceeds. ...

Nefesh Mountain plays a different kind of holiday show

December 12, 2020 - In this holiday season of concerts, it seems to be all about the Christmas holiday spirit, but no one told bluegrass band Nefesh Mountain. They brought the joy of the season for sure, but it was all about hope and Channukah, a festival of freedom. The band, led by the husband-and-wife team of Doni ...

Atypically, Evans trots out the hits

December 10, 2020 - This was not your typical Sara Evans concert. She as much said so after her first song. "I have never been more nervous. This is so nerve wracking. Normally, I can see my audiences, and I don't know what you guys are doing...They can be going to the refrigerator to go for a beer. ...

Lynch, Maddie & Tae, Guyton give it up for farmers

December 9, 2020 - Farmers have not been immune from the COVID crisis, of course, but those behind the bread basket of America received some help in the from of a virtual benefit concert, The Show Must Go On, for Farm Rescue featuring the likes of Dustin Lynch, Maddie & Tae, Mickey Guyton, Travis Denning and Taylor Farr. ...

Rice refreshes with band in tow

December 6, 2020 - A Chase Rice acoustic show consisting of five guys around a sterno campfire with six strings and a couple of cold ones seems a more appropriate venue for his music than the quick pre-pandemic set he performed at Detroit's Ford Field. One might not consider Rice a stadium rocker. ...

Morris showcases herself as vocalist

December 4, 2020 - You could tell initially that this was going to be a different kind of Maren Morris show. Nashville's eclectic Brooklyn Bowl stage is within spitting distance of a massive bar and 19 bowling alleys that are part of the entertainment venue. The normally bedazzled performer walked stealthily ...