My Indiana friend, Annie, came up to see the show with me. We got in line at around 5 and there were already about 20 people in line. That's not something you see at the Dusty very often, so we were surprised, to say the least. When doors opened at 7, we made our way inside and claimed our spots up front by the stage.
The crowd was very rowdy (rowdier than any other crowd I have ever seen there), filled with lots of annoying drunks and people wanting to start fights. At first we were a little frightened, but by the time Brantley came on stage, the crowd was perfect in every way imaginable, giving him one of the most incredible reactions an artist could have ever asked for.
I really didn't think many people in my neck of the woods knew who Brantley was, but his concert was the fastest concert to ever sell out in Dusty Armadillo history (and a LOT of awesome people have played here, such as Eric Church, Luke Bryan, Justin Moore, Lee Brice, Easton Corbin, etc.). Impressive, to say the least!
Brantley had one of his friends out on the road with him, so he opened up the show with a couple of his original songs, including one that he had written with Brantley. It was a guy by the name of Brian Davis, and though I couldn't really make out any of the words that he has saying (sound problems during the entire night), he had a great voice, and even kind of looked like Brantley. Haha!
At 10, Brantley hit the stage, and it was non-stop energy from the time that he took the stage until the time that he left, about 2 hours later. Again, there were a lot of sound problems, and I could hardly make out a lot of the words that he was singing because the bass was too loud, but he still put on one of the most incredible live shows that I have ever seen, and, hands down, the best show I have seen at the Dusty! He played songs such as, "Hell on Wheels", "Saving Amy", "Take it Outside", "Kick it in the Sticks", "My Kinda Crazy", "Dirt Road Anthem", and "My Kinda Party." The crowd knew every word to EVERY song, and they belted the notes out at the top of their lungs. Brantley was overwhelmed by the crowd reaction, constantly thanking us for "being so awesome" and supporting his music, and even said we reminded him of friends back home. I can't imagine how great Brantley must feel after a show like that. After singing "Dirt Road Anthem", with the crowd yelling every word right back to him and swaying their arms side to side with the music, Brantley said that he WOULD be back to play at the Dusty again. I always said that the Dusty is one of my favorite places to see a concert, and this is why! The audience will never let the artist leave without making them feel like they need to come back!
After seeing Brantley's live show for the first time, I must say that I am officially hooked. His albums don't do him justice. He sounds so much better live than he does on his albums! Also, being the songwriter fan that I am, I truly believe that Brantley has an uncanny ability to put words to paper in a way that very few country artists out there are able to do today. He has been through a lot in his short life, and all of his experiences and memories are written in songs that just about every person can relate to. He writes songs from the heart, and hearing those songs live (especially songs like "Saving Amy" and "Picture on the Dashboard") makes you connect to them even more. With all of the God-given talent that this man has, I don't think "My Kinda Party" (recorded by Jason Aldean) will be his only number one single.
Besides Brantley being the incredible performer that he is, he has one of the most talented backing bands that I have witnessed with my own two eyes. At one point during the show, Brantley left the stage to let his band show us what they were made of, and they definitely did not disappoint! Each guy is a talented artist in their own right, so when you get them all together to create music, it's bound to blow your mind!
I strongly encourage you to see a Brantley show as soon as you possibly can! He won't disappoint you. Also, if you have been living under a rock and still don't have either of his albums, do yourself a favor and go purchase them NOW! Your ears don't want to miss out on all of this greatness!
For a guy who doesn't get much radio play at all, people all over the world are starting to take notice to Brantley and his music. I think it's just a matter of time before he takes this world by storm, and I, personally, can't wait for it...
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