Toby Keith’s rise to Hollywood country star hit it’s second wind last night. The North Charleston Coliseum was at about 85 percent capacity but there was enough energy in both Montgomery Gentry and Toby’s sets to fill two arenas.
Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry followed openers Trailer Choir and Carters Chord (in a brilliant marketing move by Keith…both acts are newcomers on Toby’s Showdog Records). Montgomery Gentry in no way gave a truncated show despite their “opener” status. They tore up a long high energy jam filled with hits (including their latest number one (the title track to “Back When I Knew It All”). The duo had energy, and-they sounded great. By the end of their set the crowd had already gotten their money’s worth. Especially the ones with the specially priced $20 “hellraiser” tickets.
Toby opened his production with what seemed like future dvd bonus footage from “Beer For My Horses,” (Toby’s motion picture that comes out August 8th). Fun stuff and another good way to “sell” the movie without realliy selling. Overall, Toby was relaxed and seemed to be really engaged. He put oout one of his best performances I’ve seen. I was told Toby had the tough job of cutting out ten number one hits to keep the show from being too long but I didn’t feel shrtchanged in the least. The pyrotechnics were top notch and plentiful. Another one of his startup Show Dog label artists Mica Roberts added to a few songs in the list including the interesting cover choice of “Smoke from A Distant Fire” a hit from 1977 from the Sanford/Townsend band.
Billed as the “Bigger and Badder” tour it truly delivers an extravaganza. With a tour like this one an the movie coming it may just be time to put Toby BACK into contention for the coveted CMA/ACM Entertainer of The Year Award.
SET LISTS:
Montogomery Gentry
If You Ever Stop Loving Me
Back When I Knew It All
Something To be Proud Of
Lucky Man
Now Yer Talkin (New)
Long Line Of Losers (New)
What Do You Think About That
Hell Yeah
Thank God I’m A Country Boy / Hillbilly Shoes
My Town
Gone
Toby Keith (with appearance by Mica Roberts)
She’s a Hottie
Honkytonk U.
High Maintenance Woman
I’m Just Talkin About Tonight
Whiskey Girl
I Wanna Talk About Me
Get Drunk and Be Somebody
Get Trashed and Throw t All Away (with Mica Roberts)
Smoke From A Distant Fire
Love Me If You Can
You Shouldn’t Kiss me Like This
She Never Cried In Front Of Me (new)
Who’s Your Daddy
As Good As I once Was
I Love This Bar
Should’ve been A Cowboy
Weed With Willie
Beer For My Horses
How Do You Like Me Now
A Little Less Talk
American Soldier (encore)
Courtesy Of The Red White and Blue (encore)
