Live Review & Photos by Danielle Boise
“Always follow your dreams, ’cause it takes all kinds of kinds.” – Miranda Lambert
Nashville based, The Cadillac Three started the Locked & Reloaded Tour at Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood on Thursday, Sept. 19 to the delight of country and southern rock fans with a highly addictive performance. The band thanked Miranda Lambert for having them out on the road with her by dedicating her song “White Liar” to her.
With a dynamic set, the five-piece band, Randy Rogers Band brought the party to Aaron’s with a string of feel good country songs that left fans dancing and stomping their feet to the beat.
Country boy, Dierks Bentley‘s swoon worthy performance caused a wave of mania for fans, as he performed his hit charting set by starting off with “Am I the Only One” followed by “Free and Easy (Down the Road I Go),” “5-1-5-0,” “Every Mile a Memory, ” “Lot of Leavin’ Left to Do,” “Come a Little Closer,” “Feel That Fire,” “Tip It on Back,” “Up on the Ridge,” “I Hold On, ” “How Am I Doin’,” “What Was I Thinkin’,” “Sideways” and ended with “Home.”
“Thank you for coming out here tonight and spending your hard earned money on country music.” – Miranda Lambert
Miranda Lambert started the show hidden behind a banner with Beyonce’s “Run the World (Girls)” blaring through the Amphitheatre with images of strong country women, like Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire, projected on the screens surrounded the stage, building up the anticipation to the final moment of the reveal. And man what a reveal it was.
Once the curtain dropped, Lambert exploded onto the stage with a fierce and sassy attitude that dominated the night. It was awe inspiring to see such a strong, yet vulnerable woman demand the stage with a striking balance of ease and confidence, along with a no non-sense air about her. And how could you not love a woman with a matching pink guitar and bedazzled microphone sing a 19-song set to you – I dare say it’s impossible not to fall in love with Miranda Lambert.
Lambert had such a down to Earth presence on stage as she not only performed songs off her latest release, Four The Record, which came out Nov. 1, 2011 from RCA Records Nashville, but also songs that put her on the country map. Lambert set list included “Fastest Girl In Town,” “Only Prettier,” “That’s the Way the World Goes ‘Round,” “Heart Like Mine,” “New Strings,” “Baggage Claim,” a cover of Mountain’s “Mississippi Queen,” “Over You,” “Me and Charlie Talking,” “Dead Flowers,” “Mama’s Broken Heart,” “Famous in a Small Town,” a cover of The Beatles “Get Back,” Kerosene,” “All Kinds of Kinds,” “The House That Built Me,” “Gunpowder & Lead” and ended the regular set with “White Liar.” For the encore, Lambert brought all the bands back out onto the stage for a cover of Roger Miller’s “King Of The Road.”
It was fascinating to see the influence that Lambert subjugated over the crowd. I would have to say my favorite moment of the night was watching this little girl, who could have been no more than 6 years old, singing word for word “Mama’s Broken Heart” with so much heart while dancing on her seat. She stole the hearts of everyone in my section as she emulated Lambert on stage.
Even if you are not a huge country fan, Miranda Lambert will change your mind in a Nashville minute.
Full Photo Gallery of The Cadillac Three
Full Photo Gallery of Randy Rogers Band
Full Photo Gallery of Dierks Bentley
Full Photo Gallery of Miranda Lambert
