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2015 Country Thunder roars in the desert

Country Thunder 2015
Florence, AZ
April 9 - 12, 2015



Dustin Lynch
Dustin Lynch
John Michael Montgomery
John Michael Montgomery
Clare Dunn
Clare Dunn


Review & Photos by Mary Andrews

On day one country fans dribbled into the main stage area for the first day of entertainment, possibly after spending the night prior partying in the campgrounds. The 20,000 camp sights sold out early. The Country Thunder camp is located in the desert outside of Florence, AZ, and not far from the Florence state prison. On the first day, the weather was cooperating with sunny skies and a pleasant 66 degrees. The age demographics of the crowd were spread out, but leaned toward the younger generation. It is the Bonnaroo of country music and it was so interesting to see people dressed in shorts, shirtless and wearing cowboy boots in the desert. The feeling was very relaxed and everyone was looking forward to a day of New Country music and headliner Brett Eldridge.

Other attractions on the grounds included the Jack Daniel's Courtyard, which showcased the local talent, the sling shot, hot air balloon rides, mechanical bull rides, food and retail vendors, and Electric Thunder, which featured theme parties for the first time. The main stage is huge with media screens on each side. There was a long runway leading into the crowd so that many fans could see their heroes close at some point in the sets. Each set was preceded by short pre-taped interview by KIIM FM radio.

First on the schedule at the main stage was Nashville's Old Dominion headed by front man Matthew Ramsey. It is always hard to be the first one opening the show, but they handled it well. They played three times in one day on the main and the smaller Jack Daniels stage. This group will be opening for Kenny Chesney this summer. Next on the agenda was songwriter/artist at BMG Chrysalis, Clare Dunn. Her energy was infectious and very reminiscent of a younger Shelby Lynne. She played her recent hit "Country Side of You." This Colorado farm girl rocks!

Safford, Arizona's The Railers' members met at Northern Arizona University and moved to Nashville to get a record deal. Last year, they released "Kinda Dig the Feeling." Their set covered rock songs like the Faces' "Ooh La La" and the Band's "The Weight." They kept up the energy throughout the set. This is a classically trained band with strong vocal harmonies. Definitely, a band to watch in the future.

Canadian Dallas Smith played for his rabid fans by using the runway to cruise the crowd shaking hands and signing autographs during the performance. He played his first hit "Wastin' Gas," but his set was not memorable until he and the band cranked it up a couple of notches with a high voltage cover of "Radioactive" by Imagine Dragons.

Headliner Brett Eldredge came out with beer in hand and ready to romp through "Can't Behave," which Eldredge modified to include the lyric "You've got that drunk Country Thunder look on your face." The second and third songs were performed on the runway with Eldredge reaching out to as many fans as possible. He was also taking a selfie while singing to the crowd. Regardless of his antics, the fans were ecstatic.

Big and Rich headlined the second day. Blake Shelton headlined the third day, but no media photos were allowed by his management. A sellout crowd of 27,500 people attended. By Sunday the final day of Country Thunder arrived quickly. The green carpet of grass turned a dull brown after being trampled by the thousands last night for Blake Shelton's show. Sunday was another sellout for headliner Luke Bryan.

Country Thunder may have saved the best for last! Luke Bryan has been one of the most anticipated artists in the line up. The grounds were busting at the seams with fans that greeted Bryan with everything they had. He skipped on stage wearing a white T-shirt, jeans and a baseball cap. Within moments he was on the runway, shaking as many hands as he could muster going up and down the ramp while singing. The CMA 'Entertainer of the Year' played piano instead of guitar, pulling off a cover of Alabama's "Mountain Music" and Garth Brooks' "I'm Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old)." Included in the set was "Games," a new song from his recent "Spring Break...Checkin' Out" EP.

Aside from the Luke Bryan reception, the biggest surprise of the day was the spit and polish of Dustin Lynch's set. It is obvious that this young man is ready to headline arenas. The stage was set up with full light show and Lynch was ready to roar. He opened with "To the Sky" and followed that with "She Cranks My Tractor," for which the stage displayed green and yellow John Deere colors. Lynch launched into Drake's "Hold On, We're Going Home," complete with a sweet falsetto. He covered Brook's and Dunn's "Boot Scootin' Boogie" and Garth Brooks' "Rodeo." Lynch represents new country at its best!

John Michael Montgomery's set was as close to traditional country music as one would find over the weekend. He sang his hits including "I Swear," "Rope the Moon," "Home to You," "Hold on to Me," and "Letters from Home." It was a welcome reprieve from the pop/rock from the other acts.

Nashville's singers/songwriter duo, Love & Thief, highlighted their set with their first hit, "Runaway" and their first No. 1 hit, "Angel Eyes. " New music introduced was "Let's Get Drunk and Make Friends" off their new album "Whiskey on My Breath." This band was a real crowd pleaser!

The first entertainer of the day was indie singer/songwriter Logan Mize and his band. It was obvious to Logan that last night's hangovers kept the crowd small. It was a shame because Mize and the band were well worth a listen and ready to rock out.

The talent this year was stellar! The beer was plentiful! The weather was chamber of commerce perfect! Twenty thousand campsites made the trek out of the campgrounds a challenge, Regardless, many fans will be back next year. The dates for the next Arizona Country Thunder are April 7-10, 2016.

For everything Country Thunder visit www.countrythunder.com.

Dustin Lynch
Dustin Lynch
Clare Dunn
Clare Dunn
Dustin Lynch
Dustin Lynch
Clare Dunn
Clare Dunn
Love & Thief
Love & Thief
Love & Thief
Love & Thief
Love & Thief
Love & Thief
Country dancers
Country dancers
Luke Bryan
Luke Bryan
Luke Bryan
Luke Bryan
John Michael Montgomery
John Michael Montgomery
John Michael Montgomery
John Michael Montgomery
John Michael Montgomery
John Michael Montgomery
Logan Mize
Logan Mize
Logan Mize
Logan Mize
Logan Mize
Logan Mize
Dallas Smith
Dallas Smith
Dallas Smith
Dallas Smith
Brett Eldredge
Brett Eldredge
Brett Eldredge
Brett Eldredge
Brett Eldredge
Brett Eldredge
Old Dominion
Old Dominion
Old Dominion
Old Dominion
The Railers
The Railers
The Railers
The Railers
The Railers
The Railers
The Railers
The Railers
Guitar auction
Guitar auction

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