With so many concerts going on throughout the summer across the country, it’s hard to keep up! We at The Country Note got to experience our fair-share of shows (some with our media hats on, others just as the country music fans we are!) and decided to put together our “Who’s Who” of shows to recap (and revisit) the past few months before the fall tours begin! Be sure to scroll down to check out our photo gallery from some of the events mentioned.
Lindsey’s Picks (Nashville)
Summers in Nashville are full of sunshine, whiskey, pedal taverns, bacherolette parties, and above all, music! Clearly, CMA Fest is the highlight for everybody every summer, which you can read all about with our recap right here. But that’s only one week and Music City brought you three months of nonstop singing, partying, celebrating, and giving back to the community we love so much!
Before and after CMA, The Country Note was busy giving you all the feels with the many benefits taking place around the city. Artists like Darius Rucker, Craig Campbell, Ty Herndon and songwriter Craig Wisemen brought out their talents and their friends to raise money for great causes as part of CMA’s kickoff. Not too long after the biggest week of the year, good ole’ Georgia boys, The Peach Pickers, (Rhett Adkins, Dallas Davidson, Ben Hayslip), performed their chart topping hits at the Ryman along with Georgia turned Nashville friends to benefit the Georgia Music Foundation for the 5th year in a row. And in July, our longtime buddies Love and Theft hosted a fundraiser in Clarksville, TN called Shine for Susie with Charles Esten, Lauren Alaina, Parmalee and more. We got to be a part of this special night to benefit the Tennessee chapter of the ALS Foundation in honor of L&T member, Stephen Barker Lile’s mom, Susie who is bravely battling the disease.
And of course, what would Nashville be without major concerts?! While we are sad we missed out on Kenny, Taylor, and Keith, we did get to see the Sugarland reunion at the Bridgestone as part of the Still the Same Tour with Frankie Ballard and Lindsay Ell opening in top notch fashion. The love and energy could be felt around the room. Between the classics like “Already Gone”, “Little Miss”, and “Baby Girl” and the newbies off the Bigger album, Jenn and Kristian kept the crowd on their feet and the magic in the air.
If that magic weren’t enough, I think we can officially say that Nashville has the biggest and best fireworks display in America for the 4th of July! And the biggest turnout for the free street concert starring Lucie Silvas, Chris Janson, and Lady Antebellum. The entire day was filled with fun for the whole family complete with water inflatables, cornhole, and snow cones.
As much as I loved all of the aforementioned and so much more. . . my favorite part of the summer may have been watching the women rise to the challenge in an industry that has traditionally and consistently been labeled a man’s world. There’s been lots of talk and controversy within Nashville’s four walls about the politics and the lack of women representation—on tours, at award shows, and on radio. But I have gotten to see firsthand the women of country fight back and release some of the best music that has come out this summer, like Kacey Musgrave’s new album for example. Carly Pearce cried tears of joy when she won her first award at the CMTs. Ashley McBryde brought the realness every time she performed, whether it was with her tight knit full band or just her guitar simply singing about a girl going nowhere. Songwriter rounds full of women and led by women (Leah Turner and Kalie Shorr for instance) have graced the many stages of some of Nashville’s most popular venues. Nash Night’s Live Elaina Smith has taken off with her “Women Want to Hear Women” podcast interviewing greats like Cam and Dolly. Bobby Bones kicked off his new “Women of iHeart Country” playlist just this weekend. Icons like Jeannie Sealy and Brenda Lee were honored with stars down at the Music City Walk of Fame. And then Carrie brought the house down when she announced her 2019 Cry Pretty Tour 360, sharing the bill with Maddie & Tae and Runaway June!
Speaking of Carrie— her new album of which the tour is named after is set to release September 14 and may very well be the album of the year! I only know because I got to sit in a room with Carrie herself and the Greek Goddess Athena and listen to it, start to finish. If you have ever been inside the Parthenon at Centennial Park, you know the 42 foot gold statue of Athena to which I refer. If you haven’t been, bucket list item next time you come! The outside of the Parthenon was lit up in the pink while the inside was decked out in balloons and the who’s who of the industry, all to celebrate Mrs. Fisher’s new music. . .and new baby bump, highlighted by her gold, sparkly dress. Her sincere heartfelt emotion made everyone want to Cry Pretty that night!
All in all, it’s been a great summer in Nashville! And we are not done yet!
Janeen’s Picks (New York City)
Last year Nashville brought its home-away-from-home venue, Opry City Stage, right into the heart of the Big Apple, allowing us north-easterners to experience the sounds and tastes of the South on a daily basis. With local country talent (yes we do have country artists in NYC) and live-streams from the Grand Ole Opry featured on the second floor to up-close and personal performances at The Studio and the amazing menus of southern fare, you are instantly transported to Music City. I was able to attend several amazing concerts (some of which were NYC debuts!) at the intimate 4th floor Studio. Jeffrey Steele rocked the roof off like he always does. Rory Feek made his first public performance since 2015 and his first ever in NYC while Craig Campbell also hit the stage in the city for the first time in his career.
Now just getting your feet into The Bluebird Cafe on a trip to Nashville is a must, but being able to sit in during a songwriter’s round is something that just cannot be properly described in words. The tradition of that venue is legendary, so to have the opportunity to be witness to its northern incarnation is equally as awe-inspiring. On June 22, The Bluebird brought some of the biggest songwriters in country music to OCS as part of The Bluebird Cafe Songwriters Series. Barry Dean, Steve Moakler and Luke Laird turned out hit after hit from their catalogs from The Studio stage infront of a packed house, and if that wasn’t enough there was a very special guest who joined them. Lori McKenna performed some of her biggest hits (anyone know of a song called “Girl Crush”?) as well as songs from her then upcoming album The Tree. Fast-forward a few weeks later to August 3 when a one-two punch of talent graced the stage as Travis Meadows and Erin Enderlin swapped stories and songs during their session (Levi Lowrey was also on the bill but unfortunately his flight was canceled in Atlanta).
NY Locals – and those planning a trip to Manhattan – be sure to check out the Opry City Stage website for upcoming Bluebird Cafe Songwriter Series nights (the first true “In-the-Round” is scheduled on 9/14) as well as other concerts.
Christina’s Picks (California)
This summer did not disappoint on the West Coast! I took my annual girls trip to the Country Summer Festival in Sonoma, CA. This year’s headliners were Florida Georgia Line, Little Big Town, and Toby Keith. It was 3 days of dancing, singing and good weather! Every summer I also go up north to Sweet Home, OR for the Oregon Jamboree Festival.
The small town feel and the layout of the festival keeps me coming back each year. The highlight for me was being in the pit for Jerrod Niemann and LOCASH, love those boys! Speaking of Jerrod Niemann, he came to my town for two shows, so it was great seeing him and hearing his new music! My unforgettable show of the summer was seeing Little Big Town at Ironstone Amphitheatre. My husband and I had front row seats and the show was absolutely incredible. I am not ashamed to admit that I sang every song at the top of my lungs (sorry to those who were around me). Sad to see summer go, but I’m looking forward to my trip to Nashville in October!
Michelle’s Picks (Indiana)
My favorite show to cover was the country concerts at The Indiana State Fair! Each year (last year being my first), the fair plays host to artists of different genres and I took the time over a 2 week period to cover 3 amazing country artists; Natalie Stovall, Randy Houser, and Hunter Hayes. I had the opportunity to photograph, record, & review each show for The Country Note. I love concerts in general, but being able to capture each artist is what excites me.
Wanda’s Picks (South Carolina)
What would summer be without country music? And this summer one of my favorite events was Carolina Country Music Festival (CCMF) in Myrtle Beach, SC. I have been to the festival before as a fan and I knew that going this time would be even better as I would be able to share the experience with all of the readers of The Country Note.
As is the norm, Myrtle Beach provided an excellent location and atmosphere for the festival. The artists’ performances were on fire with the beautiful Atlantic Ocean as the backdrop. I was privileged to be able to interview two amazing ladies, Stephanie Quayle and Kasey Tyndall. Both ladies were in the throes of whirlwind tours, traveling across the United States playing festivals, other music events and opening for some great country artists.
I highly recommend CCMF for any country music enthusiast. You get the sun, the fun and of course some great performances from some of everyone’s favorites and up and comers who could very well be your new favorites.