Tucked away in the heart of central Florida is a small country music venue that many people don't even realize is there. This little place used to be an old school house, but in recent years was renovated and is now called the Orange Blossom Opry. It only holds about seven hundred and fifty people, but it truly helps keep the spirit of country music alive. When I found out that Marty Stuart and Connie Smith were going to be performing here, it was obvious the night would be full of "classic" country music as well as the awesome "rockabilly" sound Marty has helped modernize.
The great thing about seeing Marty Stuart and Connie Smith perform together is you're truly seeing two living legends perform timeless hits as well as new favorites. High energy is another thing that you're guaranteed to see. Whether Marty is jamming on his guitar or mandolin, his talent shines through on every chord. When Connie puts her head back and belts out each note, you can feel her love for country music over power any other emotion. There is nothing more refreshing than watching a great country act perform live on a Saturday night.
This was one of those concerts that was unique right from the start. Most of the time, when two stars are booked for a show on the same night, one comes out and performs a number of songs and they are done. Then the next star comes out and performs their show. Well that wasn't the case for Connie Smith and Marty Stuart, they interacted throughout the entire show.
Connie Smith took the stage first. From the second she walked out, there was no denying that the "sweetheart" of country music was ready to put on the show of her life. Every time she performs, Connie has the confidence that most stars yearn for. She interacted with the crowd and throughout the whole set, it felt like we were just hanging out with an old friend. The first song Connie sang was "Ain't Had No Lovin'," which really got the crowd's attention. Next, she performed her classic hit "The Key's In The Mailbox." Although this song has been recorded by numerous singers, Connie has made it one of her own. She only sang four songs and had her band "The Sundowners" backing her. After she had finished her little set, Connie introduced Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives. The chemistry Marty has with his band is undeniable. It was obvious that some of Nashville's most elite musicians were now playing in Florida.
Marty performed some of the biggest hits of his career, but he also focused on songs that meant something to him. Hits like "That's Country" and "The Whiskey Ain't Working" were big crowd pleasers, but "Tempted" really got the audience clapping. At this point in the show, Marty left the stage and Connie came out and performed two more tunes. Connie sang "Then And Only Then" and "I'll Come Running." They sounded better than the day they were recorded. Marty came back out and by this point, there were members of both bands, and Connie and Marty were practically permanent fixtures for the rest of the night.
One of the coolest things about seeing Marty Stuart is that he's like a walking country music encyclopedia. Everything that he does has a story behind it. He would start to play a song and then go ahead and explain either how the song came about or how it impacted his life or someone else's. He started telling a story about a time he was playing a show and he met this old man who told him to come out to this little place if he ever wanted to see a show. Marty explained that he didn't know who that man was, but after asking some people it turned out to be Ervin T. Rouse, who wrote the "Orange Blossom Special." Once he completed his story, Marty started jamming the song on his mandolin.
Another example of the Marty's story telling was how the song "Dark Bird" came to be. Marty Stuart and Johnny Cash were very close. So close, they even lived next door to each other. Marty explained how he missed going over to Johnny and June's house for coffee. He went on to describe that he liked crows because they dressed like Johnny Cash. So, he wrote this song after the death of Johnny as a personal memorial to the friendship they shared.
Marty's band always get a piece of the action, so it was no surprise when he turned the microphone over to his lead guitarist "Cousin" Kenny Vaughn. Kenny has played music for years and has backed some of Nashville's most famous artist, so seeing him perform "Country Music" will get your blood pumping.
Connie came back to the microphone for her smash hit "Once A Day." The crowd went crazy during this song and when she finished, Marty stepped up and performed his biggest hit "Hillbilly Rock." This was one of the best concerts I have ever seen. They really made everyone feel like they were a part of something special. Although it may not have been the Grand Ole Opry, the Orange Blossom Opry with the help of Marty Stuart and Connie Smith made this night one of a kind.
Set List:
- Ain't Had No Lovin' - Connie Smith
- The Keys In The Mailbox - Connie Smith
- Where Is My Castle - Connie Smith
- You've Got Me Right Where You Want Me - Connie Smith
- Alabama Jubilee - Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives
- That's Country - Marty Stuart
- Country Boy Rock And Roll - Marty Stuart
- The Whiskey Ain't Working - Marty Stuart
- Tempted - Marty Stuart
- Both Hands - Marty Stuart
- Then And Only Then - Connie Smith
- I'll Come Running - Connie Smith
- Orange Blossom Special - Marty Stuart
- Anymore - Connie Smith
- Dark Bird - Marty Stuart
- Mandolin Rip - Marty Stuart
- Same Old Town - Rod Hammond
- He Stopped Loving Her Today - Rod Hammond
- Country Music - "Cousin" Kenny Vaughn
- Once A Day - Connie Smith
- Hillbilly Rock - Marty Stuart
- Hearts Like Ours - Marty Stuart and Connie Smith
- Honky Tonkin' - Marty Stuart