The third annual Music City Jam at CRS was hosted this year by Toby Keith. Keith stayed very tight lipped about who would be joining him onstage, only admitting to fellow label mates and hinting at greater things to come. And wow what a kickoff to CRS 38 it turned out to be. Crook & Chase were on hand to start off the show, and before bringing Keith onstage they announced he had just been presented with the BMI Songwriter's award for 50 million spins of his music. That is a big testament to his overall musical talents. Then Toby hit the stage to the applause of an enthusiastic audience ready to get the party started.
He was pretty much all business, but that was just fine with everyone there. The rhythm of the evening was set with Toby starting off his initial three song set with "Honky Tonk U." After that he introduced fellow Show Dog artists Carter's Chord. Becky, Emily and Joanna Robertson are sisters whose parents toured with Waylon Jennings as part of his band The Waylors. Their harmonies are tight and it was easy to see why Keith signed them to his label. After a three song set from Carter's Chord, Keith was back for another four songs before introducing Flynnville Train. They are a powerhouse group signed to Showdog that I expect to see a lot more of in the future. They sort of reminded me a little of The Kentucky Headhunters both in their onstage musical style and their flare for a unique look. They performed four songs then remained onstage as backup musicians for the first of several surprise guests.
The whole audience was on their feet as Keith started talking about a legend in the music business who he called to ask to join him onstage. And it was a roar when none other than Bobby Bare came out. It was absolutely amazing. He cracked a couple of jokes about his age and his bedtime but he cranked up his guitar and sang a couple of songs that took us all back to when country music was really country music. He left the stage to thunderous applause and Keith went into a couple more songs before bringing out Lindsey Haun to sing "Broken," from the soundtrack to the Broken Bridges movie.
And then Keith started opening strains of "Just You & I" and the audience errupted again knowing who was coming out next. And sure enough, out walked Crystal Gayle singing the song with Keith. She continued with a couple more of her hits with Keith singing backup as needed. She is truly a class act and it was great seeing her onstage. After another song from Keith, his rowdy friends Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry (Montgomery Gentry) hit the stage ready to party and party they did. They closed the evening with a really fun jam session. They jammed with Keith, mixing up all their music and getting rowdy. It was a really fun end to the night.
Set List
- Honky Tonk U - TK
- Stays in Mexico - TK
- Get Drunk & Be Somebody - TK
- Boys Like You (?) - CC
- How Sweet It Is (?) - CC
- Different Breed - CC
- High Maintenance Woman - TK
- Whiskey Girl - TK
- *Instrumental Jam * Who's Your Daddy - TK
- Truck Stop in the Sky - FT
- Nowhere Than Somewhere (?) - FT
- Last Good Time - FT (new single)
- I Want to Go Home - BB
- Marie Laveau - BB
- As Good As I Once Was - TK
- I Love This Bar - TK
- Broken - LH
- Just You & I - TK/CG
- Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue - CG
- Making Up For Lost Time - TK/CG
- How Do You Like Me Now!? - TK
- If You Ever Stop Loving Me - MG
- Don't You See (What That Woman's Doing To Me) - TK/MG
- Beer For My Horses - TK/MG
- A Little Less Talk - TK/MG
TK = Toby Keith
CC = Carter's Chord
FT = Flynnville Train
BB = Bobby Bare
LH = Lindsey Haun
CG = Crystal Gayle
MG = Montgomery Gentry
