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2018 Country Thunder pulls out all the stops

Country Thunder 2018 Days 1 & 2
Florence, AZ
April 5-6, 2018

Lukas Nelson

Jason Aldean

Tracey Lawrence

Review & Photos by Francis Sealy

2018's Country Thunder offered the familiar sights that Arizonans have come to appreciate over the years that included big blue skies, more recreational vehicles than a single dealership could hold, miles of cars, more than 30,000 people of all ages, beer flowing like water, barbeque pigs, mountains of curly fries, the monster blow up KIIM cow, whirling rides, the large dancehall tent, tight white tee shirts, cowboy boots, military camouflage pants, and lots of dust. The new thing this year was the use of see through bags in the show areas. Everybody seemed to take it in their stride.

The population of Florence is normally slightly greater than 25,000. To have the small town's population more than doubled has to have an effect on its citizens and resources.

There were three stages on the grounds, but most of the action was at the large stage with the familiar runway that is approximately 50-75 feet long extending from the center of the stage. Many of the entertainers use the runway to greet the fans, shake hands, sign hats and albums while singing at the same time. The 'bowl' in front of the stage is large enough to hold the 30,000 people that come out primarily at night to partake in the musical offerings of the day. The heat and the heavy drinking tend to keep most of the crowd away until the sun goes down.

Thursday started with Phoenix's local band A Boy Named Sioux. It's a hard task to be the first band opening the whole weekend of music, but the band delivered their set with aplomb. They started their set holding their beers in the air offering a toast to the early risers. "Amazing Grace" was the first song played. "Sweet Home Alabama" was another anthem played. Original songs performed included "Too Drunk Tonight," and "Cold Margarita and Arizona Senioritas."

Bryan White made a return appearance to CT at dusk with his acoustic set. White told the crowd during the set, "I'm going to take you all the way back to a land called the 90s. Hopefully, you'll remember the song and not the mullet I was sporting then." Past hits, "Look At Me Now" and "Rebecca Lynn" were given the White treatment.

Adam Sanders has written hit songs for people like Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley and Cole Swindell. He took command of the stage early in the set and delivered songs "Out Like That," "I've Been Meaning To Call," Thankful For," and "Hell of a Night."

Lauren Alaina followed next with most likely had the most fun set of the day. Alaina first made the music scene when she was 15 years old as first runner up in American Idol 2011. She got nominated for best new artist at 2017's CMA's for her album Road Less Traveled. Alaina's performance was a foot-stompin' raucous party of her own material and some rockin' cover songs. Def Leppard's "Pour Some Sugar On Me" and Guns N' Roses' "Paradise City" were prime examples of the mood she set.

She spoke of the finale of American Idol when she saw someone backstage who looked like Carrie Underwood her personal hero. It was Ms. Underwood. She laughed as she said, "I started sobbing like a 15 year old seeing Justin Bieber for the first time. Underwood gave her valuable career advice, 'Wear shorts underneath if you are wearing a short dress on stage." That was the introduction to "Eighteen Inches," a song co-written by Underwood. This was easily the most memorable set of the day. It has taken Alaina six years to finally get a number one hit record and her success is well deserved.

The Cole Swindell set was a real crowd pleaser as well. Swindell seemed genuinely moved when he mentioned that this was one of the biggest crowds he has played to yet. He knows quite well how to work a crowd.

He performed a string of his country hits including "Hope You Get Lonely Tonight," "Ain't Worth the Whiskey," "Middle of a Memory" and "Flatliner." He brought Lauren Alaina back to join him on one of his platinum singles, "Middle of a Memory," and kept her on for Prince's "Purple Rain."

Swindell also brought back Adam Sanders to lead the crowd in one last chorus of "Ain't Worth the Whiskey," which Sanders co-wrote. He also paid one of many homages of the weekend to the military.

The second day had Jason Aldean as the headliner. Aldean was performing in Las Vegas when the horrific tragedy in October happened. He really didn't mention that during his set. Aldean started the set with "They Don't Know" an anthem about growing up in a small town. His biggest hits were covered with "Hicktown," "She's Country," "Big Green Tracktor," and "Dirt Road Anthem."

There wasn't much banter during the set. However, he did ask the crowd to give up some love for Tracy Lawrence. Lawrence played the set before Aldean.

It was a day of nationalism displayed by two sets having the crowd to stand and make the pledge of allegiance. Harry Luge was the first act of the day and the first one to lead everyone on the pledge. He had an American flag on stage and he led a prayer for our active duty. His song "in God We Trust" was his most memorable song.

Neal McCoy had the second pledge of allegiance of the day during his lively set. He invited an active duty military member on stage with his mother to participate in the pledge. It seems that McCoy had a contest on his Facebook page for someone to win the honor to be on stage with the singer. Mom entered her son into the contest.

McCoy followed the pledge with his most recent single "Take A Knee, My Ass." This was a song protesting the recent disrespect that has been shown during the national anthem at professional football games. McCoy's set was entertaining with a lot of action, humor as well as the music. It was a no miss set.

Lukas Nelson and The Promise of the Real clearly stole the show for the first two days of CT. Nelson calls his most recent album Americana, Lukas Nelson & the Promise of the Real. That's as good of a label for their music as any. There was blues, country, rock and popular music in the set. There were several chances to see the 'Lukas leap.' Bassist Corey McCormick got into the act as well.

Willie's boy has really mastered his guitar licks. Nelson mentioned in an on site interview that he has learned guitar from some of the best including Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Hendrix and Robert Johnson. He drew the largest crowd for that time slot for sure. Nelson and the band are Neil Young's band on tour and for recording. Nelson's popularity will explode for sure.

Drew Baldridge followed Neal McCoy's explosive set. Baldridge doesn't have any big country hits under his belt yet and the early evening set was not the best place to put him. He gave it everything he had.

Tracy Lawrence performed the most traditional set of the entire festival. He seemed to poke fun at that fact when he mentioned, "I love hardcore country music. How many of you know what that is?"

Songs performed included George Strait's "Troubador" "If the Good Die Young," "Texas Tornado," "Sticks and Stones," and his most recent country hit "Find Out Who Your Friends Are."

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