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2016 Country Thunder shines brightly despite the rain

Country Thunder 2016
Florence, AZ
April 7 - 10, 2016



Florida Georgia Line
Florida Georgia Line


Review & Photos by Mary Andrews

Country Thunder's weekend on April 7-10 started in Florence, Arizona with mild temperatures and some rain. There was a downpour in the wee-hours Friday morning. The last day found fans dodging rain most of the day and into the evening. However, the celebration carried on in spite of the weather.

After some 25,000 people made their way to the desert and set up their temporary weekend homes, the first day had a plethora of musical talent and future country superstars taking the stages.

Brooke Eden kicked off the festivities on the main stage with her country-rock fusion. Her lively set consisted of her self-penned songs with a few cover tunes. She remarked during her set that her songwriting was great therapy when she had romantic breakups. She recently returned from England where she fell in love with many of the recording artists there. She performed James Bay's "Hold Back The River" and Adele's "Rolling In the Deep." Brooke has a command of the stage that is seen more often with veteran performers. She was a natural start to this year's festival.

Chase Bryant was another big surprise for the day. He stepped on stage with confidence and a persona much like Elvis. His intense energy was infectious as the crowd size increased in the field during his set. Chase hails from a musical family with his granddad, Jimmy Bryant who had performed with Roy Orbison. Chase is a "lefty" who plays a right-handed guitar upside down. His hits "Take It On Back" and "Little Bit Of You" were featured on his set list!

Old Dominion returned this year in a much more coveted slot than they had last year! They are riding high from their recent Academy of Country Music Award for New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year. The band members started out as successful songwriters for people like Kenny Chesney, Dierks Bentley and The Band Perry. As a band, they are on a meteoric rise. Their set was a demonstration of why their music is so pleasing to the masses.

Kip Moore's set started 30-minutes late due to the appearance of wind gusts and rain. The diehard fans were not going to let a little rain kill their high and the show went on. Moore's svelte, chiseled, body dressed in tight jeans and a tank top was enough to get the ladies excited to withstand the weather and dance! The 90-minute set included his hits "Somethin' 'Bout a Truck," "Beer Money," and "Hey Pretty Girl."

The 90-minute Florida Georgia Line set was literally an explosive, energy charged, pyro technic laced set. The entertainers were as excited as the sardine-packed crowd. By the second song, they had invited Ryan Bexley on stage to help them with "Anything Goes." The duo, Tyler Hubbard and Bryan Kelley, were in constant motion going across the stage and down the runway, singing, shaking hands, and signing autographs with/for the fans without missing a beat or a song lyric. Cole Swindell joined FGL on stage late in the set for "This Is How We Roll." It was announced earlier during the Cadillac Three's set that Country Thunder was the first show of FGL's new tour with The Cadillac Three and Cole Swindell opening for the band. There was a encore for FGL that included "Party People," "Get Your Shine On," and "Cruise."

Cole Swindell's no-holds-barred set was prior to FGL. The light show was good, but the performance was not nearly as interesting as Florida Georgia Line. Swindell covered his hits "Down Home Boy's," "Chillin' It," "Hey Y'all," and "Ain't Worth The Whiskey" to name a few.

The biggest, most pleasant surprise of the day was The Cadillac Three. These guys do Southern Rock/country redneck music as well if not better than Lynyrd Skynyrd! Songs included "Tennessee Mojo," "Days of Gold," and "White Lightning." This band has had their share of ups and downs, but now they are going to be around for a long time. Let the good times roll!! Earlier on day two on the main stage, newcomers Tucker Beathard and Haley Georgia played great sets to get the day going. Bryan White played an acoustic set of his hits.

The rain seemed to be the unwanted star on the final day. That is until Eric Church took the stage to end the festival. Until then people had to deal with a muddy, soggy mess while dodging mud puddles and trying to seek cover from the rain. All was forgotten when Church gave his enthusiastic stage antics and a rundown of his hits to the largest audience all weekend. His set included a reverent tribute to Merle Haggard.

The first day saw one police arrest of a man for disorderly conduct. He was trying to get a closer look at the show by moving the disabled barriers in by five feet. There was plenty of security on site to keep the festivities orderly. Country Thunder was otherwise void of problems from the crowd and the "redneck Woodstock" was over in a flash of lightning.

For everything Country Thunder visit www.countrythunder.com.

Florida Georgia Line
Florida Georgia Line
Florida Georgia Line
Florida Georgia Line
Florida Georgia Line
Florida Georgia Line
Florida Georgia Line
Florida Georgia Line
Florida Georgia Line
Florida Georgia Line
Haley Georgia
Haley Georgia
Haley Georgia
Haley Georgia
Haley Georgia
Haley Georgia
Old Dominion
Old Dominion
Old Dominion
Old Dominion
Old Dominion
Old Dominion
Chase Bryant
Chase Bryant
Chase Bryant
Chase Bryant
Chase Bryant
Chase Bryant
Kip Moore
Kip Moore
Kip Moore
Kip Moore
Kip Moore
Kip Moore
Bryan White
Bryan White
Kip Moore
Kip Moore
The Cadillac Three
The Cadillac Three
Brooke Eden
Brooke Eden
The Cadillac Three
The Cadillac Three
Brooke Eden
Brooke Eden
Brooke Eden
Brooke Eden
Cole Swindell
Cole Swindell
Cole Swindell
Cole Swindell
Cole Swindell
Cole Swindell
Tucker Beathard
Tucker Beathard

Related articles (Country Thunder - Twin Lakes, WI & Florence, AZ):

Country Thunder Arizona 2015
Country Thunder 2015
Country Thunder 2014
Country Thunder 2013
Country Thunder 2012
Country Thunder 2011
Country Thunder 2010
Country Thunder 2009
Country Thunder 2008
Country Thunder 2007
Country Thunder 2006
Country Thunder 2005
Country Thunder 2004
Country Thunder 2003
Country Thunder 2002
Country Thunder 2001

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