Luke Bryan's Dirt Road Diaries Tour

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Luke Bryan's "Dirt Road Diaries Tour" Makes for A Great Entry or Two!

By: Susan J. Yeager

Country music artist, Luke Bryan, may have saved his hit song "I Don't Want This Night to End," for his encore, but that's exactly how most of the sold out crowd felt from the very first note played at the "Dirt Road Diaries" concert event. Fans that filled the Charleston Civic Center on a cold February night, made it clear through their applause and audience participation that there was no where else they would rather be than singing some of their favorite country songs with one of their favorite artists.

The solid show kicked off with newcomers, Florida Georgia Line. The duo whose album, "Here's to the Good Times," was released last year has just been named the ACM's "Top New Vocal Duo or Group," and will complete for "New Artist of the Year" when the show airs in April. Also known as, Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard, the musicians seemed like a perfect fit to be out on the road with a performer like Luke as their songs shared similar themes and the same catchy likability as the headliner. They used their 30 or so minutes of stage time to perfrom songs from their debut album like the "just-try-not-to-bob-your-head-while-listening to..." "Get Your Shine On." Tyler took a minute to give his partner in crime some props and let the audience know that Brian had been in bed sick all day, but the show must go on and the trooper still took the stage.

The crowd went absolutely crazy when the duo started their final song, the radio staple "Cruise." Charleston clearly hoped to see and hear more from these promising entertainers in the near future!

See their official video for "Cruise" below:

Though they are still fairly new to the country scene, it's already been quite the ride for the husand/wife team best known as Thompson Square. They've wracked up awards, had a number one song, became fan favorites on radio and on country music video channels and have been on the road with the likes of Jason Aldean and now Luke Bryan. They started their set with "Here's to Being Here" a track off their sophomore effort that will be released on March 26. They aslo performed the title track to that album "Just Feels Good."

Songs from their debut album that came to life on-stage included "Getaway Car" and the moving "Glass," which was accompanied by video from the couple's trip to Honduras in support of the Child Fund International organization. Saving their biggest hit for last, Keifer told the audience, "I've got a question for you." When they responded with a resounding, "WHAT?" he asked, "Are you Gonna Kiss me or Not?" Cue the thunderous applause and cheers. With opening acts like this, it's no wonder the days of just showing up for the headliner are gone.

See thier official video for "Glass" here:

Luke came out swinging with his latest hit "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye" and made quick use of the catwalk like staging that made every seat in the house a good one. He's just as cute and as charming in person as he is on television and radio interviews and easily bantered with the crowd in between songs. Up next was "Country Man" followed by "Someone Else Calling You Baby," a song from his sophomore effort "Doin' My Thing."

The audience were on their feet before Luke took the stage and stayed up and rockin' through his hour and a half set. They were especially loud during his next song "Rain is a Good Thing," which was followed by "Muckalee Creek Water." He kept the party atmosphere going by doing a couple of songs from his "Spring Break: Here to Party" collection called "Suntan City" and "If You Ain't Here to Party."

It was then time to slow things down a little and a piano was brought out for Luke to play. He confessed that he wasn't very good at playing, "so I might as well do it in front of 10,000 people," he joked. He talked about naming the tour and how he decided on the "Dirt Road Diaries." He then thanked everyone for their support and sang his first number one song, "Do I?"

See Luke's Official video for "Country Girl (Shake it for Me)" below:

Kickin' it back up a couple notches, Luke grabbed a guitar and rocked through "The Only Way I Know," a top-ten hit that he recorded with his buddies, Jason Aldean and Eric Church. He followed that with an ode to hunting, "Drinkin' Beer and Wastin' Bullets." He worked the crowd into a frenzy by simply uttering the words "Girl you make my speakers go boom boom." The performance of "Drunk on You," was definitely a highlight. All too soon it was time to close the show. Luke chose the rockin' "All my Friends Say" to take that honor.

Now typically, at a concert like this, it would not be unusual for folks to start filing out and trying to beat the crowd out of the parking garage. Guessing that the best was yet to come, barely anyone moved. The to-capacity-crowd didn't even bother to sit down a minute to refresh. Sure enough, Luke and his talented band came back on-stage for an encore.

It's a good thing everyone stayed because there were two hits left. First up was "I Don't Want This Night to End," followed by "Country Girl (Shake it For Me) and well, you just didn't want to miss that. Luke has definitely perfected some dance moves that provided additional entertainment to the performance.

It's hard to beileve that that is Luke's first headlining tour. He's three solid albums in to a long career in country music and he's got performing down there's no question about that. Dear Diary... Luke Bryan and company put on a great show and we hope to them again soon somewhere down the road!

Learn more about Florida Georgia Line here:

http://www.floridageorgialine.com/

Find out more about Thompson Square here:

http://www.thompsonsquare.com/

For more on Luke Bryan visit:

http://www.LukeBryan.com/

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