Country Music Acts at Bayfest 2007

Bayfest is a three-day musical event that is held in downtown Mobile, Alabama every fall and it is packed with artists in every stage of their careers, from upcoming artists to big names that have videos on every major music channel. I attended several of the country music performances on Friday, October 5, and Sunday, October 7. This was my first concert experience and I have to say I had a blast.

Friday Night, October 5

Friday night started out at the AT&T/IP Casino, Resort, & Spa stage in a bit of drizzle. The music was supposed to start at 7:00 p.m. but there was a slight delay due to the weather. Whiskey Falls was the opening act. Whiskey Falls is an up and coming band from "Cala-Bama". Two of their members are from California; the other two are from Alabama. These guys were great! They sang several of their original songs, including "Working Man", "Last Train Running", "Keep The Light On", and "Highway 59". All four members played instruments, and all four of them sang. I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed their set. After a brief intermission, Lee Brice took the stage. This man had energy and enthusiasm. His style is country with a whole lot of rock thrown in for good measure. Lee sang his original hits, including "Happy Endings", "She Ain't Right", "Upper Middle Class", and "Sumter County Friday Night". He got the crowd pretty worked up. There was quite a wait after his set with the crowd getting a bit restless. Finally, LeAnn Rimes appeared. Ms. Rimes started out the show with "Nothing Better to Do" and she put quite a bit of energy into the song. She sang several of her most popular songs, including "Nothin' Bout Love Makes Sense", "How Do I Live", "Commitment", and "Probably Wouldn't Be This Way". She told the crowd about her newest release "Family" and she sang a few songs from this album, including "Family" and "Good Friend and a Glass of Wine". At one point, Ms. Rimes covered "Summertime" by Janis Joplin. She poured her heart and soul into this song. The crowd went wild. Ms. Rimes was very sweet, blowing kisses to the crowd and thanking us after every song. Friday night went pretty well, but everyone was holding their breath waiting for Sunday night.

Sunday Night, October 7

Sunday evening began back on the AT&T/IP Casino, Resort & Spa stage with a lot of sun and a man named Luke Bryan. Luke talked to the crowd quite a bit and actually stopped during a song when the crowd picked up their chairs and moved closer to the stage. Luke sang several of his songs, including "We Rode In Trucks", "You Make Me Want To", and his radio hit "All My Friends Say". He also covered the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's hit "Fishin' In the Dark", much to the delight of the crowd. While waiting for Big and Rich, the crowd got even closer to the stage. The crew came out to set up the stage and test the mikes. The guitarists and drummer got on the stage and the crowd started getting loud. Then Cowboy Troy ran out. We all went crazy. Troy is a big man with a big stage presence. He sang quite a few of his songs, including "Lock Me Up", "Hick Chick", and "I Play Chicken With The Train". Troy got the crowd all stirred up for Big and Rich. When they hit the stage, the crowd went absolutely wild. The Universal Minister of Love and the Cowboy Stevie Wonder rocked the crowd with "Love Train", "Wild West Show", "Between Raising Hell and Saving Grace", "Big Time", "Jalapeno", and "Caught Up In The Moment". Their cover of AC/DC's hit "You Shook Me All Night Long" was fabulous. Two Foot Fred came out at one point and was "bringing sexy back". John Popper from Blues Traveler made a guest appearance and played harmonica while John Rich sang part of the chorus from "Run Around". Part of the way through the set, Big and Rich brought two local boys onto the stage and gave them miniature autographed guitars and sang the chorus to "Big Time" with them. John Rich sent a t-shirt through the crowd to a lady whose son was serving in the Armed Forces. T-shirts and Big and Rich 100 dollar bills were thrown out to the crowd. The show ended with Big and Rich teaming up with Cowboy Troy to destroy two guitars on the "Guitar Anvil". Sunday night was the best show by far.