Lund makes country heroes proud

A little over an hour into his stellar set, Corb Lund let his three-piece band take a break. In fact, he even let the soundman have a breather, as he stepped away from the microphone with his unplugged acoustic guitar. His appreciative audience quickly gathered near the stage, as Lund played the sad rancher's tale, "S Lazy H." It was a moment of intimacy that came off just right and was the highlight of a wonderful show.

Lund fits the bill of the handsome cowboy, but there's more depth in his music than may initially meet the eye. There's wisdom in a song like "Old Men" that younger artists don't always appreciate. He's a favorite among the traditional country set, yet there's just something a little funky about "90 Seconds Of Your Time" that opens his "Agricultural Tragic" album, which he's finally getting a chance to tour behind.

His band, which included a drummer, a bassist and a lead guitarist that also played steel guitar, was flexible enough to transition from the thumping Waylon Jennings-esque country of "Good Copenhagen" to the Southern rock of "Getting Down on the Mountain."

Although Lund drew a small crowd on a Monday night, this was an enthusiastic one, dancing and singing along the whole night. The pre-show music was a playlist of classic country music, and because Lund's music is so good, he'd almost certainly make these heroes proud.

Lauren Morrow (along with her husband Jason accompanying her on acoustic guitar) opened with a delightful set. Her performance was highlighted by "Hustle," which speaks about the struggles of making a living as a country singer in Nashville. Any country song that name-drops Jay Z in a song, is definitely something special. Morrow's a winner, and one to keep an eye on.

It may have been located nearly shouting distance from Dodger Stadium, but Zebulon sure felt like the distant famed and defunct Palomino tonight. It was filled with live and lively country music.