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Chesney and friends rock Heinz Field
Written By: Hayley Martin, Pittsburgh Events Examiner July 4, 2011
 For country music fans, the annual Kenny Chesney concert isn't just another show - it's an all day extravaganza. With a legacy of amazing festival shows under his belt, it's no surprise his 2011 'Goin Coastal' tour, which came to Pittsburgh on July 2, would be one of the greatest shows I've seen this summer.
For most fans, the show started in the wee hours of the morning as thousands of people flocked to the north shore in Pittsburgh, PA to attend Kenny Chesney or the Regatta. (and for many, both). My personal journey started around 9:30 a.m. and ended in a parking lot by 11:00 a.m. (fyi, it's only a 30 minute trip to the city on a normal day).
Fans looked like they had been parked there since dawn with their tents, grills and elaborate buffets set up around the stadium lots. Once we saw the parking prices, the all day extravagazna seemed to make much more sense with lots charging $35 - $60 around the stadium.
The first act of the official tour kicked off at 4:30 p.m., but music filled the air starting at noon with local acts performing at Stage AE. Vendors lined the road outside of Gate B of Heinz Field with free snacks, cooling off games, and of course our favorite local radio stations.
Inside the venue, the music started a little early with Froggy sponsoring a short set by rising star, Brett Eldridge performing in the Coca-Cola Great Hall. Edlridge is currently riding the tidal wave hit song, "Raymond" which has been making rounds in the country music circuit. The emotional song about an Alzheimer patient really hits home for nurses and hospice workers around the globe.
Kicking off the main stage acts was vetern Chesney tourmate, Uncle Kracker. Since Chesney and Uncle Kracker wrote "When the Sun Goes Down" in 2004, he's been a staple on many tours. While Uncle Kracker has been making rounds in the music industry since 2001 when his first single "Follow Me" peaked at number 5 on the charts, he really hasn't even made a dent in a decent career of hits. After releasing nine singles in ten years and his highest charting song being his first release, it comes as no surprise to me that I really didn't enjoy his set, which did include other popular songs like "Smile" and "Drift Away." His fifth album, "Cigarettes and One Night Stands" is set to be released in 2011 on Atlantic Records
Perhaps it was the fact that he spent most of his entire set sitting on a stool or maybe it's that most of his songs aren't really the "get up and dance" kind of grooves, but I really just could have done without him on this tour. I almost wonder what faithful Chesney fans who never miss a show think when they see him year after year on the tours belting the same handful of songs.
Of his short, opening act set, Uncle Kracker's best song was actually his rendition of Kenny Roger's "The Gambler." Paying homage to a great country music legend, Uncle Kracker really did the song proud and was a high note in the entire show.
Country music hunk, Billy Currington hit the stage second on the show. Don't let his early spot on the line up fool you though because he is clearly a headliner and entertainer at heart. Currington has been stealing the hearts of women everywhere since 2003, when "I Got A Feelin" peaked at number five on the charts proving he was here to stay.
Four albums and a handful of hits later, Currington is a major player in the country music circuit producing such iconic songs as "Must Be Doin' Something Right," "People Are Crazy," "That's How County Boys Roll," "Pretty Good at Drinkin Beer" and my personal favorite "Good Directions." On stage, Currington is a whirlwind of excitment. utlizing the entire walkway stage from front to back and side to side. His sweet smile melted the heart of the jam packed front row of girls on all sides.
For country music fans, the annual Kenny Chesney concert isn't just another show - it's an all day extravaganza. With a legacy of amazing festival shows under his belt, it's no surprise his 2011 'Goin Coastal' tour, which came to Pittsburgh on July 2, would be one of the greatest shows I've seen this summer.
For most fans, the show started in the wee hours of the morning as thousands of people flocked to the north shore in Pittsburgh, PA to attend Kenny Chesney or the Regatta. (and for many, both). My personal journey started around 9:30 a.m. and ended in a parking lot by 11:00 a.m. (fyi, it's only a 30 minute trip to the city on a normal day).
Fans looked like they had been parked there since dawn with their tents, grills and elaborate buffets set up around the stadium lots. Once we saw the parking prices, the all day extravagazna seemed to make much more sense with lots charging $35 - $60 around the stadium.
The first act of the official tour kicked off at 4:30 p.m., but music filled the air starting at noon with local acts performing at Stage AE. Vendors lined the road outside of Gate B of Heinz Field with free snacks, cooling off games, and of course our favorite local radio stations.
Inside the venue, the music started a little early with Froggy sponsoring a short set by rising star, Brett Eldridge performing in the Coca-Cola Great Hall. Edlridge is currently riding the tidal wave hit song, "Raymond" which has been making rounds in the country music circuit. The emotional song about an Alzheimer patient really hits home for nurses and hospice workers around the globe.
Kicking off the main stage acts was vetern Chesney tourmate, Uncle Kracker. Since Chesney and Uncle Kracker wrote "When the Sun Goes Down" in 2004, he's been a staple on many tours. While Uncle Kracker has been making rounds in the music industry since 2001 when his first single "Follow Me" peaked at number 5 on the charts, he really hasn't even made a dent in a decent career of hits. After releasing nine singles in ten years and his highest charting song being his first release, it comes as no surprise to me that I really didn't enjoy his set, which did include other popular songs like "Smile" and "Drift Away." His fifth album, "Cigarettes and One Night Stands" is set to be released in 2011 on Atlantic Records
Perhaps it was the fact that he spent most of his entire set sitting on a stool or maybe it's that most of his songs aren't really the "get up and dance" kind of grooves, but I really just could have done without him on this tour. I almost wonder what faithful Chesney fans who never miss a show think when they see him year after year on the tours belting the same handful of songs.
Of his short, opening act set, Uncle Kracker's best song was actually his rendition of Kenny Roger's "The Gambler." Paying homage to a great country music legend, Uncle Kracker really did the song proud and was a high note in the entire show.
Country music hunk, Billy Currington hit the stage second on the show. Don't let his early spot on the line up fool you though because he is clearly a headliner and entertainer at heart. Currington has been stealing the hearts of women everywhere since 2003, when "I Got A Feelin" peaked at number five on the charts proving he was here to stay.
Four albums and a handful of hits later, Currington is a major player in the country music circuit producing such iconic songs as "Must Be Doin' Something Right," "People Are Crazy," "That's How County Boys Roll," "Pretty Good at Drinkin Beer" and my personal favorite "Good Directions." On stage, Currington is a whirlwind of excitment. utlizing the entire walkway stage from front to back and side to side. His sweet smile melted the heart of the jam packed front row of girls on all sides.
Sharing the co-headling spot on the tour was another veteran to the Chesney family, Zac Brown Band. ZBB has made quite a career as a crossover artist being a little bit of country and a little bit of rock. Their fan base spans an immense circle of loyal followers who were present in droves.
It's hard to believe this group has rose to such iconic status in less than ten years, but one listen to an album and you'll see why. This group has some of the most talented musicans in the industry with a perfect mixture of musicality and personality. Performing a collection of hits from their albums which included "Highway 20 Ride," "You Get What You Give" and "Toes," this group makes you take notice.
If there was a doubt in your mind as to whether these group of guys should be on stage, listening to their incredible rendition of Charlie Danie's "Devil Went Down to George" sped up about give times would be a crystal clear reason. I've never heard a group speed the song up so much and still perform it with such percision. Jimmy DiMartini on the fiddle was simply on fire throughout the entire song and the crowd was loving it.
Towards the end of their set, it was nice to see the group pay tribute to the men and women of the military they love so dearly with an incredible version of "America the Beautiful" and leading into their iconic hit, "Chicken Fried." With the show on the heels of Independence Day, there was no better way to close out their show.
After a long, hot and exhausting day the sun was "going down" and it was time for the man of the hour to take the stage... er well... to take something. In traditional Kenny Chesney style, he can't just walk onto a stage - this year he decided to fly. Out of a tent located in the center of the floor seating, Chesney was lifted on a chair and flown around the field forwards and backwards giving fans in the very back a few minutes of up-close and personal Kenny time.
Once his feet hit the stage, the party really started with Chesney kicking it into high gear with all the fan favorites we know and love including "Fast Forward," "Young" "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy" "Big Star," and the emotional "There Goes My Life." Chesney has always been a huble artists and even with the years on the road behind him, he still gets right up next to his fans while on stage with shaking hands and giving high fives. He's also very appreciative of his staff thanking them for putting together this show and even bringing them out on stage.
Of course, no Chesney concert would be complete without bringing his tourmates out on stage to sing a few numbers, first with Uncle Kracker for "When the Sun Goes Down" and then a wonderful rendition of Kid Rock's "Cowboy" and then later with the Zac Brown Band. It was a musical war on stage with the guys from the Zac Brown band and producing a wall of sound as the crowd went wild. He also called for Currington, but it seemed he was unavailable at the time.
Overall, the show and the experience was a success in my book. Chesney is a quality entertainer and he has created a culture surrounding his music that fans adore. To attend a Kenny Chesney concert, it's not just another show - it's an experience you'll never forget.
Here's to next year's festival and all the fun that will come.
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