The opening act was a local band by the name of "The Last Call Band." (See photo above right.) They performed for about 45 minutes and sang all covers, and did a nice job. But after the long wait, I really wanted to see Lonestar, and I think I would have enjoyed them more if I didn't have to wait so long.

Here is their set list:

• Let 'Er Rip
• Fast As You
• Blue Clear Sky
• Heads Carolina, Tails California
• Nobody Knows
• Gone Country
• Pour Me
• Big Dreams in a Small Town
• You're Still The One
• Perfect Love
• Mercury Blues
• Got Blessed Texas

After the band left the stage, the road crew proceeded to set up the stage for Lonestar. It was about 40 minutes from after the Last Call Band left and Lonestar started. Again, way too long of a wait. I'm not sure why, but they wanted to wait until it was completely dark before starting their set.

Lonestar finally hit the stage around 8:35 pm, and were we ready for them!

They started with "What About Now," getting the crowd, already on their feet, excited and ready to party. After the song was over, Richie mentioned that they had played Kelseyville the night before and that they could tell we were a party crowd. He said that the show in Kelseyville was much less wild, and they were happy to be in Redding. This got the crowd going even more, if that's possible.

They next sang the title cut from their previous album, "Lonely Grill." Then the beautiful ballad from the same album, "Smile."

Richie mentioned being on the George Strait tour, and asked if anyone had gone to see them. They said that it always seemed that when they sang "Amazed" people would break into fights. Apparently, there were some people fighting at the time, and Richie teasd, "wait a minute... we're not to that song yet."

The latest single was up next, "With Me." Then an older classic Lonestar hit, "Everything's Changed."

Richie pulled out a stool and told how he came to write "I'm Already There." He said he was out on the road and had called his wife, and his son came on the phone and asked him when he was coming home. He then dedicated the song to anyone who is in a similar situation.

I'll list below the actual song list:

• What About Now
• You Walked In
• Lonely Grill
• Smile
• With Me
• Everything's Changed
• I'm Already There
• Come Cryin' To Me
• Tequila Talkin'
• When Cowboy's Didn't Dance
• Unusually Unusual
• Play That Funky Music -- No News
• Tell Her
• Out Go The Lights
• Amazed
  • Encore
  • Lyin' Eyes
  • Another Brick In The Wall

Other things that come to mind. They sang the chorus to "Play That Funky Music White Boy" and then went into "No News." This was a fun song, because Richie brought up a girl onstage to sing with them. You can see her in the photo to the right.

Then he separated the crowd into to halves. He told his side when he pointed to them, they were to yell out "No." Then Dean Sams had the other side of the audience and he said that when he pointed at them, they were to yell out "News." So, the audience tried to outdo each other, and it was a lot of fun.

Then, the neatest thing... when they sang "Amazed," they brought up a couple that had just gotten married. The girl told the guy she'd only marry him if Lonestar would sing at their wedding. They were dressed in street clothes, but she had on a veil. Richie said that they were gonna make that happen, and while the couple danced on the stage, Lonestar sang "Amazed." It was so neat! I wish I could have gotten a picture of the couple, but they were dancing behind a pole and I couldn't get a picture.

Lonestar was worth the wait, even in the hot sun! They put on a heck of a show, and you can tell they love and appreciate their fans. Redding isn't the biggest city, and we were so lucky to have a band of Lonestar's stature come to play at the small rodeo grounds.

Top