Country star unleashes heat
>>Print ViewPublication Date: 04/11/2008
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Students dressed like they were going to a dusty, hot Texas rodeo had to brave the dreary weather.
Fans of Dierks Bentley, dressed in Western wear with bare arms and legs, made their way toward Elliott Hall of Music accompanied by fierce rain and wind.
Inside Elliott Thursday night, audience members sang along with Bucky Covington and Luke Bryan, the opening acts of the Throttle Wide Open Tour.
Bryan started off the show and immediately engaged the audience; he moved around the stage a lot, slapping his thigh as he sang to the crowd.
Covington followed Bryan and got audience members clapping and swaying to the country tunes. He talked about life after "American Idol," where he was a contestant during the fifth season, and his observations of the country since his reality TV days.
"There are rednecks everywhere," he said.
After the opening acts concluded, a gauzy curtain rolled down and veiled the stage, lights dimmed to a soft blue tone and Bentley, behind the veil, began to play his music.
Shattering screams echoed from the sea of fans when the veil dropped.
Bentley sang, played guitar and ran around the stage, maximizing the energy in the hall.
The country singer was so engaged with the audience that at one point he grabbed a screaming fan's camera and took a picture with her.
"Backup singers," he said as he motioned toward the audience.
Bentley told the audience he knew about the effort that fans put into getting tickets to his show.
"Camping out the night before to get tickets; that's such a cool story," he said. "To watch Bon Jovi, I would have camped out all night long."
Songs about the good and the bad moments in life filled the hall.
"It's not pop music; it's real life," Bentley said.
After singing many songs written by the country star, he concluded the show with a tribute to Johnny Cash, singing "Folsom Prison Blues." Bentley asked the audience to be as loud as possible and bring Covington and Bryan back on stage.
Amanda Beckley and Nathan Kleefisch, sophomores in the College of Agriculture, said they enjoyed the performances and the interaction between the audience and the musicians.
Beckley said she sang along to all of Bentley's songs.
Kleefisch said he thought all three performances were strong and solid.
"It was fantastic; (Luke Bryan) did a good job," he said. "(All three) brought a lot of energy."