Cowboy hats dotted the audience Saturday night when Josh Gracin and Brad Paisley performed at Emens Auditorium. The auditorium was almost completely sold out and the audience was on their feet for most of the concert.
Gracin opened for Paisley, singing his well-known song, "I Want to Live," and a couple of others. His stage presence was dominant during the performance. With high energy, Gracin tossed drum sticks and sweat cloths into the audience. He came down off the stage at one point and walked up and down the aisles; people of all ages stretched to touch his hand.
Obviously a prominently country music singer, Gracin said that he also enjoys eighties rock. During a rendition of Bon Jovie's "It's My Life," Gracin brought up a little girl in a cow printed cowboy hat to stand with him on stage. The audience clapped as he crouched beside her and smiled. Gracin has said in the past that it's his confidence that helps him over nervousness. It may also be his sense of humor. Two large movie screens donned Emens' stage. For his last song, Gracin put up an altered picture of him, in boxer shorts, with a huge potbelly. He strutted around the stage, posing in body-builder type arrangements. At the end, he glanced at the audience and tried to make his just slightly overweight body look like the one on the photo screens.
Country music is gaining respect because of singers like Gracin and Paisley.
"I like Brad Paisley and Josh Gracin," Adam Faulkner said. "Country music seems a little cleaner and easier than the pop and rap music of today."
Paisley entered on stage after a short break and brought the audience to its feet again. With his variety of electric guitars, Paisley played all the favorites: "Little Moments," Whiskey Lullaby" and "Celebrity" included. One of the first songs was from his new album "Mud on the Tires." The band members, all from Indiana, were dressed accordingly. All except Paisley had on jeans and white, mud splattered collared shirts. The drummer was even from here in Muncie.
Michelle Busch and her friend Elizabeth Buck came to the concert dressed in white cowboy hats.
"We love both singers," Busch said. "It's been amazing, awesome."
Both girls agreed that their favorite song by Paisley was "Whiskey Lullaby."
"Whiskey Lullaby" is actually a duet with Alison Krauss. Krauss was shown up on the screens while her taped voice was played. "Whiskey Lullaby" is about a young man who commits suicide when his lover leaves him. The lover then turns around and shoots herself because of his death. The two are buried together under a willow tree.
Paisley, like Gracin, exhibited his personality on stage. During the proclaimed "Dr. Phil part of the show," Paisley gave guys a couple of hints about successful relationships. He first asked the women in the audience if there was anything they'd like to change about their men. Screams rose and Paisley asked the men if there was anything they'd like to change about their women. Shouts rang out.
"Dummies," Paisley said.
Using that as his introduction, Paisley launched into the song "That's Love." A song about how love really consists of a bit of "perjury" between a man and his wife to spare feelings.
The audience brought Paisley back for an encore song. One sign seemed to sum up the excitement of the night. As a camera panned the audience it paused to read, "I Quit My Job for This Concert."
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