We arrived at the Ryman's Auditorium just in time to find out seats and get ready for the first artist John Conlee. John started his set with a 1983 hit "Lay Around and Love On You" and closed with his 1978 hit song "Rose Colored Glasses."
Next, Mark Wills performed "Days of Thunder" and "Don't Laugh at Me." During "Don't Laugh at Me" Mark paused, and the crowd started laughing and he jokingly commented "You're not supposed to be laughing right now." Mark closed with "Nineteen Something."
Buddy Jewell was introduced as the 2003 Nashville Star winner. He sang "Help Pour Out The Rain (Lacey's Song)," and "If She Was Any Other Woman." Buddy closed his set with a tribute to all veterans, singing "Sweet Southern Comfort."
Chris Young followed Jewell, starting his set with "Small Town Big Time." Young announced that he was a huge Keith Whitley fan so he sang "Don't Close Your Eyes." Chris closed with his current single, "You're Gonna Love Me."
Country legend Jeannie Seely performed next, singing "Funny How Time Slips Away" and "We Must Have Been Out of Our Minds." Then, Jeannie sang a revised version of "Are You Lonely Tonight" changing lyrics to talk about old age. The crowded loved this newer rendition giving Jeannie laughs and applause throughout her performance.
How about a little bluegrass?
Next, bluegrass group Cherryholmes performed "You Don't Know What Love Is," after which bass player dad, Gerry introduced his family: daughters, Molly Kate, Fiddler and Celie, banjo player, sons, BJ, fiddler and Smash, guitar, and wife Sandy on the mandolin.The family minus dad clogged to "Deanville" before exiting the stage.
Riders In The Sky followed Cherryholmes playing a tribute to Gene Autry with "Back In the Saddle Again" and "Mexicali Rose." They played an incredible instrumental that excited the audience. Before leaving the stage, they joined Eddie Stubbs at the master of ceremony microphone to tease Joe Nichols saying "Joe Nichols will be here any minute now in all his testosteronic glory for all you estrogen receptors." The crowd erupted into wild cheers, laughter and clapping as Joe's band was setting up on stage.
Joe Nichols entertains
Joe Nichols came on stage laughing and shaking hands with the Riders in the Sky and Eddie Stubbs. Nichols started his three song set with his current hit, "I'll Wait For You," bringing tears to many in the audience. Nichols dedicated his next song to his mom, laughing as he launched into "Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off." He ended his set with the cover song "Farewell Party" from his Revelation album.As Joe was exiting the stage, Eddie Stubbs called him over to the master microphone and said he heard Joe had his fan club party earlier in the day and signed for 800 fans. Joe thanked Eddie for mentioning it.
Emerson Drive gives the crowd "Moments" to remember
Next, Emerson Drive came on stage performing "Real Love Will Survive" with great energy, moving around the stage. Then, they performed "A Good Man." They thanked all of the fans for making "Moments" No. 1 in the country, and stated that it's their first #1, and are especially touched for it to happen this week. Then, they sang it for us.Jeff Bates closed the Trust Benefit Fund show with his three song set "Long Slow Kisses," "I Can't Have Nothing Nicer" and a touching song about Jesus called "He Wasn't Like Us."
