Rodney Atkins:
After Debbie's announcements she introduced Rodney Atkins, who took the stage singing "These Are My People." Rodney shared with the audience that 2 years ago his only gig that year was Christmas for Kids, and he thanks God for all the wonderful things that has happened to him since that performance. Then he sang "Watching You" after which he explained that most people know the little boy in the song's video is his son, Elijah, who is 6 years old and started Kindergarten this year. But what most people don't know is that when he married his wife, he got two step-daughters, who are now teenagers. He said it's amazing how many teenage boys have started showing up around the house now. Rodney continued to share stories of how he copes with the presence of these teenage boys which kept the crowd laughing and applauding.
Rodney shared two pieces of advice with us. The first one being when a teenage boy knocks on your door, stand behind the door and fire up a chain saw or a weed eater will work just as well. The next piece of advice was for teenage boys. He said something like, "For all you teenage boys out there that are a parent's nightmare, just know Karma has a way of catching up with you, and one day you'll have a teenage daughter and a teenage boy just like you will find her." His story was a great introduction for his next single, "Cleaning This Gun (Come On In Boy)." He added the line "Country boy can survive" in the song which had the crowded laughing and cheering.
He closed with "If You're Going Through Hell" telling everyone to sing along it will help pick you up when you're down.
Phil Vassar:
Phil Vassar performed next stepping in at the last minute for Montgomery Gentry who had to bow out due to an illness in the Gentry family.
Phil took his seat at the piano set up on the Ryman stage saying something along the lines "I guess, I'm the surprise guest tonight because I was even surprised. So I'm going to let you pick the songs since I don't have anything prepared." Pulling out his Chapstick and putting it on, he continued saying, "Ok, I'm ready now." The audience responded to Phil with applause and laughter as they started shouting out songs like "Piano Man" to which Vassar laughed. Then, someone shouted out "Another Day in Paradise," so Phil played it. His set consisted of Phil on the piano and an acoustic guitar player. Vassar's impromptu style portrayed him as not only an extremely talented man but also a quick witted man with an awesome sense of humor that endeared him to the audience.
Phil played with the audience yelling back and forth and teasing us with lyrics from songs like "Lucille" and "Great Balls of Fire" in which he stood up quickly from his stool pushing it aside and started playing the piano with his hip. Just as abruptly he stopped limping to retrieve his stool, he shared "Ouch, I hurt myself" again sending the crowd into frenzy of laughter. He added sing-a-longs such as "Jingle Bells" and "Summer Lovin'" from Grease even singing Olivia Newton John's part in a high pitch voice. The audience chimed in on both songs happily singing the different parts as directed by Vassar. At one point Vassar told us "You guys sound great. Let's all go Christmas Caroling while it's still warm."
Then Phil sang "American Child" after which he announced that his mom and grandma were there and it was his grandma's first time at the Ryman. He also thanked Santa and Mrs. Claus who were backstage and had promised him an iPod for Christmas this year.
It was obvious Phil was having a blast and the audience was too. This crowd loved him as they sang along to "Last Day of My Life" and "I'll Take That As a Yes" which he called "the Hot tub" song, and said he had to sing it since he was in Tennessee. He received a standing ovation and climbed up to stand on his piano as the audience chanted "PHIL!" "PHIL!" "PHIL!"
Climbing down he sang "Carlene" while a cascade of beautiful multi-colored lights spiraled down and around him and his piano. Closing, Phil treated us to his rendition of "Piano Man" in which he played his harmonica along with his piano. This song was the highlight of an already outstanding and amazing performance by Phil Vassar and gained him another standing ovation by the Ryman audience.
As he stood to leave the stage, Phil sent out a prayer to Troy Gentry, his mother and family. Again the audience rose to their feet applauding Vassar. But as he was leaving the stage Phil stopped to tease one of the Wolf radio DJ's as she hugged his neck, Vassar picked her up swinging her feet high in the air as he scooped her up into his arms, then gently set her down and left the stage.
The crowd was roaring with applause and laughter as the announcement was made it was time for a 15 minute intermission break and everyone needed to get their bids in on the guitar being autographed by tonight's performers.
Taylor Swift:
After intermission things slowed down a bit but that didn't last long after Taylor Swift took the stage singing "Our Song" and "Teardrops On My Guitar" which she stated was her second Top 5 hit. She explained that she writes songs about people in high school and that she had a crush on a boy named Drew but he never knew, but she thinks he does now.
Then she sang "Last Christmas" from her newly released Target exclusive album. Next, she sang her debut single "Tim McGraw." She introduced her closing song saying she tries to be a good person but if you're mean to her or hurt her feelings she's going to write a song about you as she rocked out the stage with "Picture To Burn."
