Favorite Country Artists to See in Concert

[gonecountry]

1.  Dierks (Incredible. great concerts, he connects w/ the fans.  Highly engaged crowd, does a killer version of Up on the Ridge.  "Home" is incredibly melodic.  Used to have some great videos he played in the background, probably still does but I've seen him for the past few years at festivals.  I've seen him close to 10 times)
1 (TIE).  Cody Johnson (Texas singer, seen 3 times.  High energy.  The real McCoy.  Great voice.  He's started coming to Chicago and some other midwest locales.  His fans are hard core fans, know every word to every song)
1.(TIE).  Eric Church (he rocks the house hard.  puts everything into his shows.  gets the crowd into the show in a major way.  you'll leave the show one happy camper.  only complaint, doesn't seem to do Two Pink Lines anymore)
4. Toby Keith (This guy puts on a show.  Probably seen him 5 times.  Visually very interesting.  Great voice. He cranks through the hits and brings back an obscure song here or there.  Proud American)
5.  Zac Brown Band (These guys do all genres, incredibly well.  They do right by the military, very moving tributes to our men and women in uniform.  Fun band in concert)
6. Brad Paisley (funny, great entertainer, some awesome graphics, not afraid to punch you in the gut - When I Get Where I'm Going, This is Country Music.  Only wierd thing is the hologram duet w/ Carrie on Remind Me - I could've done without that)
7.  Tim McGraw (only saw him once or twice, but great singer.  Don't recall him interacting a ton w/ the crowd.  He can sing the heck out of everything - Real Good Man and other rockers to You Had to Be There and My Little Girl)
8.  Casey Donahew Band (Texas.  This guys puts on a high energy show.  Even if you don't know the songs, he'll get you singing them. "12 Gauge" is an experience like you've never seen) 
9.  Kevin Fowler (Texas.  His fans sing every damn word of his songs.  Incredibly personable.  Higly recommend)
10. Josh Turner (incredible voice. he's actually pretty funny.  Long Black Train is a crowd pleaser, but my favorite of his in concert is Everything is Fine.  A bit low key, but quite the gentleman performer)

Honorable mention:
Gary Allan (rocks it hard), Blake Shelton (twice, once at the Rodeo. fun to watch), Rodney Atkins (steady and enjoyable), Luke Bryan (saw years ago w/ first album, I'm sure he has amped it up since then), Jason Aldean (ditto, saw before he exploded w/ She's Country.  I enjoyed him a lot, but the audience was not really into him - even after 2 solid albums, I was puzzled), Taylor Swift (first concert, before she exploded. she was incredibly sincere and fun to watch), Craig Campbell (the crowd really enjoyed him, very likeable performer), Josh Thompson (rocks it hard), Lee Brice (fun, good voice), Craig Morgan (pre-Bonfire, he was fun), Montgomery Gentry (they were having fun), Big and Rich (good in concert, they bring the freak parade. Only disappointment: No "Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace"), Kid Rock (incredible performer. Not for young ears. His fans - at least in Michigan - come prepared to party. Many didn't even make the show), Joe Nichols (good singer. great version of I'll Wait for You),  Chris Young (enjoyable. Didn't do The Man I Want to Be or Neon - I was a bit pissed), Jon Pardi (he looked like he was having fun. he saw his first set of breasts the night I saw him. he was thrilled), Justin Moore (he brings the Southern Twang.  The crowd erupted for Bait a Hook), Kip Moore (pretty good)

Didn't really enjoy:
Miranda Lambert (don't shoot me, I saw her w/ Dierks and her sound was off and it was a jarring experience.  only concert I've ever left early), Darius Rucker (I was a bit bored, not gonna lie)

Want to See:
Garth, Josh Abbott Band,Wade Bowen, Allan Jackson, Easton Corbin, Billy Currington,

[Deleted]

Acts I've seen:

Alison Krauss & Union Station
Andy Gibson
Brad Paisley (2)
Billy Currington
Blake Shelton (2)
Brantley Gilbert
Brett Eldredge (3)(met him)
Carrie Underwood
Casey James
Cassadee Pope
Charlie Worsham
Chris Cagle (met)
Chris Young
Chuck Wicks
Cole Swindell
Craig Campbell (met)
Craig Morgan (met)
Dan + Shay
Danny Gokey
David Nail
Dierks Bentley (2)
Dustin Lynch
Easton Corbin (met)
Edens Edge (met)
Eli Young Band (3)(met)
Florida Georgia Line
Gary Allan (2)(met)
George Strait (2)
Glen Campbell
Gloriana
Gretchen Wilson (for free!)
Hunter Hayes (2)
Jack Ingram
Jake Owen (2)
James Wesley
Jason Aldean (2)
Jerrod Niemann (3) (idk how...)
Joe Nichols (2) (met)
Joel Crouse
Josh Thompson (3)
Josh Turner
JT Hodges (met)
Justin Moore
Kacey Musgraves
Keith Urban (2)
Lady Antebellum (2)
Leah Turner
Lee Brice (2)
Little Big Town
Loretta Lynn
Love & Theft (2)
Luke Bryan (2)
Maggie Rose
Martina McBride
Merle Haggard
Miranda Lambert (2)
Montgomery Gentry (2)
Neal McCoy
Parmalee
Pistol Annies
Rachel Farley
Rascal Flatts (2)
Randy Houser (2)
Randy Montana
Reba McEntire
Scotty McCreery
Steel Magnolia
Sunny Sweeney (2) (met)
Taylor Swift
The Cadillac Three
The Band Perry (3)
Thomas Rhett
Thompson Square
Tim McGraw (2)
Tyler Farr (2)
Willie Nelson

76 acts total

Upcoming concerts:
March 6th & 8th-Garth Brooks & Trisha Yearwood
April 3rd- Trace Adkins
May 1st- HOPEFULLY Eric Church
June- TOC 2015
July- Jam In The Valley 2015, Kenny Chesney
Sometime in summer- Tim McGraw/Billy Currington/Chase Bryant

Favorite concerts:
Gary Allan
Carrie Underwood
Merle Haggard
Keith Urban
Dierks Bentley
Brad Paisley
George Strait

[trailing]

1. Eric Church
2. Zac Brown Band
3. Carrie Underwood
4. Kacey Musgraves (favorite among them but she doesn't excel as much live.)
5. Blake Shelton
6. Josh Turner
7. Montgomery Gentry
8. Little Big Town
9 Mcgraw
10. Billy Currington
Would give explanation to my rankings but I am really really tired right now.

[jesster]

Favorites (no particular order)
Alison Krauss & Union Station
Sara Evans
Little Big Town
Billy Currington
Keith Urban
Toby Keith
Rascal Flatts (Opry set)
Jake Owen
Kip Moore
ETA: forgot to include Josh Turner here

enjoyed
David Nail (improved a lot as a performer from when I first saw him)
Chris Young
Lady Antebellum
Willie Nelson
Sugarland
Dierks Bentley
Taylor Swift
Randy Hauser
Kacey Musgraves
Reba
Alan Jackson
Tim McGraw
Love and Theft
Phil Vassar
Jason Aldean
Miranda Lambert
Maddie & Tae
RaeLynn
Joe Diffie
The Farm
The Band Perry (early years, they seem to be much more dynamic now)

Underwhelming to annoying
Rascal Flatts (headline tour)
Julianne Hough
Brad Paisley (I think he himself was good, but the sound was so bad it was hard to tell)
misc interchangeable-guy-openers
Cassadee Pope

[Deleted]

I've only seen most of these people once, but these are my rankings. Takes into account sound, performing, energy, everything that makes a concert good:

Luke Bryan
Jason Aldean
Darius Rucker
Eric Church
Alan Jackson
Lee Brice
Brad Paisley
Florida Georgia Line
Dustin Lynch
Frankie Ballard
Montgomery Gentry
Randy Houser
Easton Corbin
The Swon Brothers
Jake Owen
Cole Swindell
Joe Nichols
Rodney Atkins
Eric Paslay
Eli Young Band
Craig Campbell
Charlie Worsham
The Cadillac Three
Leah Turner
Joel Crousse
Brandy Clark
Dwight Yoakam

[14887fan]

Oh, gosh. I'll have to really sit down and think of a full list of people I've seen live. Including their tours, awards shows, and the CMA Fest, there's a big bunch.

My favorite is obviously Carrie Underwood, who manages to put on a spectacle with each tour and draws a crowd of thousands into an arena that manages to enjoy themselves without the addition of backup dancers and flashy laser light shows. Her flying stages are always fun. I've seen her 12 times, CMA Fest and awards shows included. Not counting those, I've seen her 6 times.

Other favorites include David Nail, Brad Paisley, Jake Owen, Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert, Kellie Pickler, Dierks Bentley, and Lauren Alaina.

[bigfan101]

Favorites are The Band Perry, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Cassadee Pope, Sara Evans and David Nail.

I would never pay to see a Eric Church, Jason Aldean or Rascal Flatts show ever again. I find Eric and Jason to be very boring performers and I always feel like Rascal Flatts is trying to scream their songs in the worst way possible.

[.indulgecountry]

Seen:
Sara Evans (x2)
Carrie Underwood
Miranda Lambert
Jo Dee Messina
Joe Nichols (co-headlined w/ Sara Evans)

+ Billy Currington, Eric Church, and Josh Kelley as opening acts (none of which left an impression on me)


My favorite was Sara Evans (I know, what a shocker), particularly the second time. She was good when I first saw her back in 2008, but when I saw her this past summer in August, she was like a totally different person. It was amazing to see how much she had improved as a performer -- her vocals in particular were better than I had remembered. She had the audience eating out of the palm of her hand with all the big notes she was going for and stuff, which I don't recall really being something she did at the first show I saw 6 years ago.

Aside from Sara, Jo Dee Messina was the best live vocalist by far. She was like the definition of being better live than on record. I almost felt bad that her show was free because of how great she sounded. Carrie put on a great show, especially in the visual department, and Miranda's stage presence was perfection. I really liked the Miranda show because I *accidentally* bought tickets for the pit right next to the stage and I had no idea until I got there and was like "omg, I'm going to be standing next to the stage while Miranda performs?!" And Joe was solid, too.

I wish I could see more shows but I'm not too savvy with buying tickets and I don't have friends who share my musical tastes, so if I go to a concert, it really has to be with my mom or sister.

[bigfan101]

Jan 23, 2015 16:41:22 GMT -5 .indulgecountry said:

Seen:
Sara Evans (x2)
Carrie Underwood
Miranda Lambert
Jo Dee Messina
Joe Nichols (co-headlined w/ Sara Evans)

+ Billy Currington, Eric Church, and Josh Kelley as opening acts (none of which left an impression on me)


My favorite was Sara Evans (I know, what a shocker), particularly the second time. She was good when I first saw her back in 2008, but when I saw her this past summer in August, she was like a totally different person. It was amazing to see how much she had improved as a performer -- her vocals in particular were better than I had remembered. She had the audience eating out of the palm of her hand with all the big notes she was going for and stuff, which I don't recall really being something she did at the first show I saw 6 years ago.

Aside from Sara, Jo Dee Messina was the best live vocalist by far. She was like the definition of being better live than on record. I almost felt bad that her show was free because of how great she sounded. Carrie put on a great show, especially in the visual department, and Miranda's stage presence was perfection. I really liked the Miranda show because I *accidentally* bought tickets for the pit right next to the stage and I had no idea until I got there and was like "omg, I'm going to be standing next to the stage while Miranda performs?!" And Joe was solid, too.

I wish I could see more shows but I'm not too savvy with buying tickets and I don't have friends who share my musical tastes, so if I go to a concert, it really has to be with my mom or sister.

Get a part time job in promotions for a radio station. I get to go to concerts and get paid to be there.

[Kristin]

I've seen Blake Shelton around 20 times and got to be at his Opry Induction

I've been to 2 Brad P shows.. He puts on an amazing show

I've seen Luke once and he was all about entertianing and it felt like the music got lost

[someguy]

I've seen a number of artists, and have never been disappointed with a country artist. I would say my favourite has been Reba (surprise, suprise), and I've seen her maybe 10 times? Not totally sure, I've lost count.

Trisha Yeawood is wonderful too...personable, funny, and she sounds, dare I say, even better than she does on record. Martina McBride is another live favourite of mine.

I saw all three ladies in a small venue (I've seen Reba in a larger one too), and I tend to prefer smaller venues to bigger ones. You lose some of (well, all of) the theatrics in smaller venues, but I find you can make a much better connection with the artist.

I would say those three have been my favourite country artists out of all the ones that I've seen live, but I've seen a number of others that I've really enjoyed as well.

[McCreerian]

I've seen Reba at least 10 times, Dolly nearly that much too. Both are my all time heros and best concerts. I saw Garth in 98 and still remember it vividly. I definitely plan to see him if he comes to Charlotte. Out of the newer artists, surprise but Scotty is my favorite. His stage shows are very lively and fun. Taylor (when she was Country) and Carrie both have incredible shows and I've never missed their tours. I've enjoyed recent tours by Brad and Rascal Flatts too. I would like to see Eric Church's "Outsiders" tour but yet just like last year he's skipping Charlotte this year too, and it's the closest big city to his hometown...go figure!

[carriekins]

Jan 24, 2015 17:49:03 GMT -5 McCreerian said:

I've seen Reba at least 10 times, Dolly nearly that much too. Both are my all time heros and best concerts. I saw Garth in 98 and still remember it vividly. I definitely plan to see him if he comes to Charlotte. Out of the newer artists, surprise but Scotty is my favorite. His stage shows are very lively and fun. Taylor (when she was Country) and Carrie both have incredible shows and I've never missed their tours. I've enjoyed recent tours by Brad and Rascal Flatts too. I would like to see Eric Church's "Outsiders" tour but yet just like last year he's skipping Charlotte this year too, and it's the closest big city to his hometown...go figure!

It's because the Greensboro Coliseum is the largest seating capacity in the state. That's why I wouldn't expect to see Garth in Charlotte after his 7-show run in Greensboro.

[phil1996]

Eric Church/Lee Brice both are outstanding in concert. Two dudes that give it 120% every single time, and are truly passionate about making their fans happy. You will absolutely get your moneys worth if you see these two. Montgomery Gentry too, as they love performing, have tons of fun, and have good music. Those are my 3 favs to see in concert.

[McCreerian]

Jan 24, 2015 20:25:26 GMT -5 carriekins said:

Jan 24, 2015 17:49:03 GMT -5 McCreerian said:

I've seen Reba at least 10 times, Dolly nearly that much too. Both are my all time heros and best concerts. I saw Garth in 98 and still remember it vividly. I definitely plan to see him if he comes to Charlotte. Out of the newer artists, surprise but Scotty is my favorite. His stage shows are very lively and fun. Taylor (when she was Country) and Carrie both have incredible shows and I've never missed their tours. I've enjoyed recent tours by Brad and Rascal Flatts too. I would like to see Eric Church's "Outsiders" tour but yet just like last year he's skipping Charlotte this year too, and it's the closest big city to his hometown...go figure!

It's because the Greensboro Coliseum is the largest seating capacity in the state. That's why I wouldn't expect to see Garth in Charlotte after his 7-show run in Greensboro.

During Garth's last tour he played Greensboro in 1996 and then came to Charlotte and Raleigh in 1998. I fully expect him to do the same thing again.

I also don't believe the Greensboro venue size has anything to do with why Eric isn't playing Charlotte when he is playing Raleigh this year, less than an hour from Greensboro in good traffic.