Alabama fires up ‘Old Flame’ hits at Meijer Gardens; Jon Pardi has fans ‘Head Over Boots’ at Intersection

Thursday was a night for fan-pleasing country music in Grand Rapids, with iconic veterans playing Meijer Gardens and a recent “new artist” winner revving up a big crowd outside The Intersection.

 

“Floating down a river to a Cajun hideaway,” anyone?

Maybe not a Cajun hideaway, but Thursday’s revved-up crowd at Frederik Meier Gardens & Sculpture Park floated down a river of hits played by country supergroup Alabama.

For this enthused fan base, the 90-minute show was a hideaway of sorts, a retreat to their best-loved music from a beloved band.

It was one for which fans were willing to pay a little extra — $153 for members and $155 for non-members — because the show raised funs for Meijer Gardens’ “Welcoming the World: Honoring a Legacy of Love” campaign.

Obviously, those in attendance — about 1,600 of ’em — were all in. The crowd’s energy fed the band’s energy, and together everyone swayed, clapped and sang along lustily to a rich panoply of familiar and cherished tunes. Lead singer Randy Owen and cousin Teddy Gentry on bass were barely on stage before the fans of all ages were on their feet.

“If You’re Gonna Play in Texas (You Gotta Have a Fiddle in the Band”) got folks stomping and clapping as the fiddles got faster and zestier. Owen knew that everyone knew all the words, so he frequently extended the mic to get them to sing out and sing loud. Same with “I’m in a Hurry (and Don’t Know Why),” the Gospel-infused “Will the Circle Be Unbroken?” and “Song of the South,” with the line, “Song, song of the south/Sweet potato pie and I shut my mouth.” Of course, it was great fun to bellow “shut my mouth,” so Owen had devotees belt it out to their heart’s content.

The 68-year-old Owen and 66-year-old Gentry showed they could still shake it with the best of them. They obviously adored sharing their Southern heritage with this appreciative Northern crowd, sharing anecdotes throughout the evening of growing up with a Paw Paw who grew cotton (“High Cotton” expanded on this) and songs set in locales such as South Carolina, Mussel Shoals, Alabama, and a certain “Tennessee River.” Boy, in the pocket of that finely crafted song, one feels no pain. Talk about floating.

Really, Alabama is obviously full of pride for its Southern heritage, but the band also transcends any region and extols a country legacy of cornbread in mama’s kitchen, dreaming under the stars and “Dancin’ Shaggin’ on the Boulevard,” an activity open to all who love live music. The latter was one of several easy, breezy crooners from back in the day which showcased the band’s delightful harmonies. 1981’s “Love in the First Degree” fit this bill, too, and was a major crowd pleaser.

The fireflies flickered just in time for “Old Flame,” and even more aptly, “Angels Among Us,” a song about those strangers and friends alike who “grace us with their mercies in our time of need.” Band members may have been thinking of their cousin, former guitarist and co-founder, Jeff Cook, who had to step down from touring last year after a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease.

After such a lofty night of music, the only thing that could top it off was irresistible “Mountain Music,” Alabama’s boot-stomping, hand clapping, soul rousing hit. It was the perfect pinnacle to a night with no low points.

Opener and Georgia native Drew Parker lured the crowd into a mood for twang-worthy—trucks, bass fishin’, small towns, and of course, beer. His lighthearted set was highlighted by songs such as “Daddy Did,” an homage to his father, Parker’s platinum song “Lonely One” (released by Luke Combs) and dreamy, sweet “The Runway.” – Lorilee Craker

Browse Alabama concert photos by Paul Jendrasiak here: http://www.grnow.com/concert-photos-alabama-and-drew-parker-meijer-gardens/

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JON PARDI AT ‘ROCK THE LOT’

Jon Pardi, perfect weather and a packed parking lot.

That combination greeted enthused country fans for Thursday’s sold-out “Rock the Lot” spectacle outside The Intersection in downtown Grand Rapids, with Pardi devotees ready to rock from the get-go.

As Jon Pardi and his band took the stage amid clear skies on the cool summer night, the audience bustled to get closer. Pardi, 33, started off the set with “Paycheck” and the crowd immediately started swaying and singing along.

Fans kept it up throughout the night, crooning along to covers of well-known country tunes such as “Life’s A Dance” and “I Hold On” as well as Pardi hits like “When I’ve Been Drinking.” Along the way, they were treated to a fiddle solo during “What I Can’t Put Down,” with Pardi even picking up a banjo for “Trash A Hotel Room.”

At the end of the night, Pardi — 2017’s new male vocalist of the year (ACM Awards) and new artist of the year (Country Music Association Awards) — said he wanted to see, “everyone singing and dancing” — and West Michigan did not disappoint him. As he launched into “Head Over Boots,” the audience practically took over for him. Some sang and swayed while others slow-danced with their loved ones.

Pardi ended things on an energetic note, uncorking his hit single, “Dirt On My Boots,” to cap a satisfying summer night of country music. – Tabatha Grover

PHOTO GALLERY: Jon Pardi at Rock the Lot
Photos by Eric Stoike (On the Run Photography)

Copyright 2018, Spins on Music LLC