Following reviews are by Laurie Petricka.
The heat was brutal as the shows continued on the Riverfront stages. Die-hard Bryan White fans showed up in full force to show their unwavering support to this talented man. Bryan got everyone dancing early on with "Sitting on Go" and with a subtle key change during "Love Is The Right Place" he was back on his game. Fans cheered as Bryan announced that he will have a new album released this fall, and treated us to "Get It Together," a new single off that album. It is so enjoyable to see an artist cut loose and truly engross themselves in a song. Bryan cut loose on the guitar and had a terrific time playing "Hands Of Time." Afterward he stated that he's having the time of his life and it certainly showed. "Rebecca Lynne" was mega-hit for Bryan and based on the crowds response, still loved very much by country music fans. As Bryan and the band played their last song "So Much For Pretending," he went to the edge of the stage and reached out and shook hands with fans passing through the photo line. Always the gentleman, Bryan never forgets to show his gratitude towards his fans.
I was trying to take a break from the sun and get something cool to drink when I heard the unmistakable intro to "Lipstick." I hurried to the front of the stage to catch Rockie Lynne begin his set. I had waited since October to see him again and I didn't want to miss a second of his set. Rockie introduced the next song "Heroes Come From Small Towns" as a track off his new album coming out this fall. This is a song about a fallen hero from Minnesota. A subject that Rockie is all to familiar with. Each fall he rides a motorcycle across Minnesota in a benefit called "Tribute To The Troops," and personally thanks family members of fallen heroes for the sacrifice their loved one made for us. His final song, "The Only Reason" would showcase some of his gifted guitar playing as he burned up the stage. It still amazes me to watch such a soft spoken and kind man can unleash that type of unbridled talent, but then again music is his passion.
I had the pleasure of meeting Rio Grand during our interview last summer at Country Thunder. Sadly, I missed their performance because of a case of food poisoning and I vowed to Fred that I would not eat any chicken before their performance this year. There was no way I was going to miss this performance. These guys love what they do and it shows. Not only was it the great southern rock sound of "Guitar Talking" that got the crowd into the show but these guys were kind enough to throw T-shirts and can coolers out to appreciative fans. As the cheers continued, the band showcased their beautiful harmony during their new single, "God's Got A Bigger Plan." I have (Wow! beautiful harmony) written in my notes but that is an understatement to what these guys sound like. "Storm Inside Of Me" is another Wow song for this group. I'll be looking forward to seeing Rio Grand again real soon. They have justifiably earned a spot on my list of "MUST SEE" acts. I just love their energy and harmony and to make it even more enjoyable they are super nice guys.
Following review is by Ashley Wigglesworth.
Carolina Rain performed at the daytime Riverfront stage at the CMA Music Festival on Sunday, June 8, 2008. They opened their set with "Let's Just Get It On" and "Isn't She."
Next, they performed the upbeat songs, "Soundtrack to My Life" and "Get Outta My Way" bringing the patrons of this annual festival on their feet. They closed their set with instrumental clips from "Iron Man" and "Walk This Way" as fans cheered and screamed.
