Brothers Under The Sun Tour At Tampa Stadium: Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Jake Owen, Grace Potter

"BETTER AS A MEMORY"    KENNY CHESNEY

The Brothers Under The Sun kicks off today at Tampa Stadium.   Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Jake Owen, and Grace Potter plus who knows what guest stars will drop in for the big event.  After each of the four solo sets, Kenny and Tim will be playing a 40 minute set during which they'll be playing each others songs, rock covers, anything goes!  Luckily, I was able to get club level tickets at the last minute!   

Kenny released a 3-D concert film in the summer of 2010.   Here's a version of "Better As A Memory" from the last day of the tour when Kenny's emotions took over.   The crowd sang almost the entire song for an unforgettable concert moment.

 "SOMETHING LIKE THAT"   TIM McGRAW

My first big country music concert was Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, and a relative unknown Australian opening act at the time named Keith Urban in the mid 90's.   I didn't know much by Tim but knew all of the big Faith Hill crossover hits.   Wow!   What a fun experience! Keith's guitar skills blew us away.  Faith Hill came next and Tim joined her for songs like "It's Your Love".  When Tim McGraw hit the stage to close the show, the crowd went insane.  "I Like It, I Love It, I Want Some More Of It" and "Something Like That" were incredible.  Always loved the line - "she had a BBQ stain on her white t-shirt, killing me in that mini-skirt, heart can't take something like that!"

"EIGHT SECOND RIDE"   JAKE OWEN

Florida has been the breeding ground of many country music superstars and the next to join this elite club is Vero Beach's Jake Owen.   I saw Jake open for Keith Urban last summer and he's unbelievable live!   Jake has a rock n' roll energy, movie star looks, and songs that will get you singing along the first time you hear them.    Yes, the double entendres in "Eight Second Ride" are laughable but the song rocks!  

"PARIS (Ooh La La)"    GRACE POTTER and the NOCTURNALS

Blues rocker, Grace Potter, is the fourth member of the Brothers Under the Sun tour.    Hmmm, watching Grace jamming on her guitar, sexy legs shimmering under her short skirt, I'm not sure she fits the "Brothers" tour theme.   Grace teamed up with Kenny Chesney for the beach themed ballad "You And Tequila (Drive Me Crazy)"  and I'm sure that will be a highlight of the concert set having the two pair up for the duet.   This version of her hit, "Paris", comes from the Ellen DeGeneres Show (a big fan of Grace).

 

Just A Kiss In Paris: Lady Antebellum, Nickelback, Bridget Kelly

"JUST A KISS"                  LADY ANTEBELLUM

Last Thanksgiving, I got to fulfill a lifelong dream to visit Paris.   It was an amazing adventure seeing the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, riding the Subway, and walking down the Champs Elysees after seeing the Arc de Triomphe.     This video captures a young couple falling in love on vacation in London and Paris.    It brings back so many great memories!   Thank you Barrie for such a great moment in my life.

"TRYING NOT TO LOVE YOU"            NICKELBACK

A future #1 hit for Nickelback.    This is so radio-ready with a great chorus, "trying not to love you only went so far!".   People criticize Nickelback for being predictable, looking for hits over writing deep material.    While this criticism has merit, music should provide an escape and Nickelback has many songs that you can't help but sing along, smiling, and rocking out!

"STRANGER TO LOVE"                   BRIDGET KELLY

Originally written and performed by Sonyae Elise, winner of the reality TV Show, Platinum Hit.    Sonyae is an amazing writer and performer.   Bridget Kelly is probably best known for filling in for Alicia Keys on live performances with Jay-Z of Empire State Of Mind.    The lyrics on "Stranger To Love" are amazing, here's a sample:


Was suffocating, and then you gave me life
And now I crave for, for only you inside
Can't put my thumb on exactly how I feel
It's unfamiliar, but pleasantly surreal


Chorus:
Keep putting smiles on my face, I'm constantly amazed by what you do
And I can't keep up with my heart, It's beating me into someone brand new
I love how you just know how bad I need to take this slow
Like I'm a Stranger to Love


Pushed all my strength and managed to kiss me weak
You woke up the woman, and put the girl to sleep