He noted seriously how he grew up listening to Merle Haggard, George Strait and Keith Whitley – then promptly played a countrified version of Sir-Mix-A-Lot’s “Baby Got Back.” He also gamely covered Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers’ “Runnin’ Down a Dream” after a trio of his own hits, “Brokenheartsville,” “Size Matters” and “Gimmie That Girl.” Naturally, Nichols ended with “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off,” a song sure to get women dancing and singing – especially those double-fisting margaritas in mid-90s heat. He thanked country fans for making “The Impossible” his first No. Joe Nichols was as charming as ever and definitely won over the ladies simply by smiling and flashing his dimples. I love it.” The audience graciously followed along with each lyric, prompting Adkins to let out a laugh: “40,000 people singing ‘slap your grandma’ … shame on you.” was young, then sitting next to them as they played “Boogie-Woogie Baby” or “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On.” He also covered a few of his legendary father’s most famous tracks – “Your Cheatin’ Heart” and “Hey Good Lookin'” – as well as classics from fellow titans like Johnny Cash (“I Walk the Line”) and Waylon Jennings (“Good Ol’ Boys”).Īdkins eventually shook out of his funk and started having fun towards the end of his set, by which time he had the crowd going crazy for “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk,” which he introduced as “a very sensitive love song … it’s about (butts). “My childhood was not a normal childhood,” Bocephus reminded, sharing stories about Fats Domino and Jerry Lee Lewis coming over to Hank Sr.’s house when Jr. Mostly he sang but couldn’t be heard, played guitar with chunky finesse, destroyed a fiddle and hammered down on a piano with his hands, feet and, at one point, butt. Still, by incorporating a few well-timed, easily recognized snippets of classic rock (Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Gimme Three Steps,” the first half of ZZ Top’s “La Grange”) as interludes between hits like “Country Boy Can Survive” and “All My Rowdy Friends,” Williams was able to hold (some of) the crowd’s attention. Hank Williams Jr., on the other hand, was just so-so, his vocals muffled throughout his hour-plus set, his asides difficult to understand even if you were close to the stage. As ever, fans dressed in some crazy fashions – American flag bikini tops, red Solo cups worn as accessories, the usual array of bedazzled cowboy boots and hats – and they expectedly went wild during Keith’s night-ending set, singing along loudly to “As Good as I Once Was,” “I Love This Bar” and the inescapable “Red Solo Cup.” Though a dark day for country music, Jones’ death didn’t dampen the party here very much. But hopefully he’s looking down and he’s proud.” Acclaimed Texan singer-songwriter Hayes Carll taking a moment to address his dancing audience: “Being in a place like this with all the country music, it’s hard not to let it cast a shadow on today’s events. He’ll be in my heart forever.”Īlt-country and Americana favorites performing on tented side stages were also inspired to salute. The Possum’s passing clearly had Mane stage performer Trace Adkins in a somber mood, as he played his set straight and serious before tearing up during his nod to Jones with a heartbreaking version of “The Grand Tour.” Joe Nichols paid homage with “I’m a One Woman Man,” while on the Palomino stage, country/gospel veteran Connie Smith went further: “We dedicate our hearts, our love, the whole show to George Jones. “I’ll try my best to do some George Jones and let you all hear what real country music is like.” “He’s the face of country music that everyone wants to be,” Keith said as the crowd cheered. Sets were filled with tributes to the Grand Ole Opry legend, with headliner Toby Keith changing his plans to include two of Jones’ early classics, “She Thinks I Still Care” and “White Lightning.” Friday morning’s news of the passing of George Jones weighed heavy on the hearts of most artists that graced stages here during Day 1 of the seventh annual Stagecoach Country Music Festival in Indio.
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