Thursday, November 19, 2015

93.7 K-country 24th Acoustic Concert






Chris Janson, Cadillac Three, Craig Campbell
93.7 K-Country Radio Station is known for their acoustic concerts, their tickets sell out in minutes, and this concert was no different.  As show time came closer, the crowds excitement began to build, and by 7 pm every seat was filled with country music fans wanting to hear some awesome country tunes. 

K-Countrys DJs, Mr. Bob and Kathy were first to come out on stage to get things started, thanking everyone for attending the show.  Lewis Stokes and Boss Jim continued building the excitement, Boss Jim again thanking the audience and sponsors for supporting their amazing concerts, especially their acoustic sessions. The artists at Monday nights concert were playing for free with all of the proceeds from the event going to local charities- another reason why these performances are so special.

Craig Campbell started the night off with “Outta of my Head” and you know it is going to be a great concert when all of the artists are tapping their feet along to the beat of the music.      
 
Craig Campbell
Next up was The Cadillac Three and lead singer, Jaren Johnston, started off stating how the band loves Florida, due in large part to their good friend, Jake Owen being a Florida native and them having written a song for the country beach boy. After talking to the crowd about their love of the sunshine state and Jake, it only seemed fitting for them to start their portion of the first round with Owen’s hit song, Days of Gold”. 
Jaren Johnston of Cadillac Three
Next was Chris Jansons turn- and he started with “Back in My Drinking Days” and oh what a fun song it was! The crowd erupted in applause after hearing the playful tune.   
Chris Janson
Not only was the crowd having a ball, the artists were having fun too! You could tell they were more than just a group of performers on stage, they were all friends, telling jokes and paying compliments to each other after each song sung.  At one point, Campbell went looking for something to drink and found a bottle of wine in the refrigerator that was on the stage for an upcoming show.  It was a funny moment that everyone laughed and carried on about. Janson expressed his appreciation for all of the artists, especially The Cadillac Three, explaining the group were some of the first people he met when he first arrived in Nashville. 
 
Chris Janson laughing at the guys.
William Michael Morgan first started his set off talking to the crowd, telling the audience that he recently recorded a new song that he was excited sing for them.  Morgans voice was perfection while singing his new tune “Cheating Cologne”. 
William Michael Morgan
Midway through the show, Campbell encouraged the audience to sing along to the songs and enjoy the show.  White Lighting” was The Cadillac Three’s song for round two, a soulful song written about Johnstons wife. After they finished singing, Janson said the song reminded him of his wife and explained how he met his “hot” wife 9 years ago. When he married her, his life changed for the better, stating he does not like the word “step children” so says he gained “bonus children” when he married her.  He continued the tribute to his wife by performing “When Im Holding Her”. The audience showed their appreciation by clapping before the song had even ended-what an honor for an artist. Janson did an amazing job with the song, giving everyone chills by the time it finished and after the song was over, Johnston said Janson’s performance gave him goosebumps. It was the best performance of the night- Just amazing! 
Jaren Johnston of Cadillac Three

The evening continued with Morgan singing “Beer Drinkers, “I Met A Girl” (co-written by Sam Hunt), and his cover of Keith Whitley’s “Miami, My Amy”.  The Cadillac Three rounded their performance off singing “Raise Them Up” which they wrote for Keith Urban, “Running Red Lights” and “The South. Campbell finished up his portion of the event with his song “Fish” and a recently recorded song “Outskirts of Heaven”. Campbell stated he felt “Outskirts of Heaven” is going to be a hit and was inspired by his childhood memories.  Janson wrapped up singing his #1 hit song that he wrote with LoCash (performed by Tim McGraw), “Truck Yeah” and ending the night with crowd favorite and the song that changed everything for him, “Buy Me A Boat”.
William Michael Morgan

 
 
Chris Janson and Cadillac Three enjoying the jokes
The show contained 5 rounds and a mini song off of Hank Williams Jr Songs with Janson winning by singing a mini-revision of “Country State of Mind.”  Janson then told the audience he was honored to have to 2 news songs on Hank Williams Jrs upcoming CD and was featured on the project.  

Craig Campbell

You could tell the artists had a fun and memorable night, stripped down on a set that was just about the songwriting and the audience.  The show allowed the fans to hear some amazing country music, just good old country tunes without all of the bells and whistles that are in some of the big venue shows.  Hearing an artist sing a song with nothing but their guitar is a moment that can’t be compared to any other, it displays the real and raw talent that is present in country music today. Hearing the stories behind the songs is what country music is all about and Monday nights artists showed us why people love the genre. To hear the music from the Nashville songwriters of current and future hits was a unique opportunity and priceless memory.  K-country radio station did an awesome job putting the event together, they made their semi-annual concert something to look forward to and the 24th annual show was one of the best one!  
 
 
 Additional photographs are located at https://www.facebook.com/swphotography21
 
Denise Ellis
Sweetwater Photography
 
Review credit:  Samantha Dawn Mutschler and Denise Ellis