I had been hearing for weeks about the New Faces dinner show and couldn't wait for what I had been told was sure to be the highlight of the week. So after being served a delicious dinner of steak and chicken complete with a "Hot Apple Pie" for dessert, Charlie Monk, one of our gracious hosts, took to the podium and delivered a hilarious 'his version' re-cap of news surrounding Nashville that week. He also couldn't resist touching on our Vice President's hunting accident which garnered some pretty hefty laughter from the audience.
First up was Jeff Bates who started his set off with his huge hit, "Long Slow Kisses." I can't help but to close my eyes and think of the late Conway Twitty when I hear Jeff sing. All of what I heard from Jeff that night could have came straight from Conway himself. Among others, Jeff gave us a taste of his new single "No Shame," and finished his set by having several bikini clad ladies join him on stage and a whole gang of them walk through the audience adorning certain lucky attendee's with lei's as Jeff performed "Rub It In."
Keith Anderson was next but before he took the stage, a video segment was played and showed a very in need of counseling Keith being helped by none other than Dr. Phil himself. The skit was hilarious and really showed the fun side of Keith. Among others Keith performed his new hit "XXL" and finished with his first single, "Pickin' Wild Flowers."
Up next was in my opinion the act that stole the show. Hot Apple Pie was introduced by a video segment that gave us a way over exaggerated look at how all acts are trained to become superstars. It had the boys being worked out in a football camp with a staff Sargent that came straight out of the movie Full Metal Jacket. The skit was hilarious and the guys must of had a blast filming it. Hot Apple Pie took the stage first with their incredibly fun song, "Hillbillies." Delivered with the all the playfulness from the video, the audience was on their feet and groovin'. Next was their current release "Easy Does It," and they finished with "The Shape I'm In." With the tightest harmonies I've heard in a long time and harmonica being played by Brady Seals, this song garnered the band a standing ovation. The audience wanted more.
Jason Aldean was next and in addition to others gave us beautiful performances of "Amarillo Sky," and the new single off his current self titled CD, "Why." He finished his set with the monster hit "Hicktown," and I don't think there was one person in the audience that wasn't toe-tapping to this rip roaring, fun song.
To complete a perfect night of performances, Little Big Town took to the stage last but not before we were treated to their video segment which had the group living all together in a trailer no bigger than something that could be pulled down the road with a Volkswagen Beetle. Each band member participated in pig calling which had us all in tears. How they kept straight faces filming this is beyond me. I would have loved to have seen the out-takes. Among others, the band performed "Good As Gone," and the next single off their current CD, The Road To Here," "Bring It On Home." Beautiful harmonies and the love of performing shines so brightly for this band and is sure to make them be tomorrow's supergroup.
