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Toby Keith plays in the tailgate of a Ford F-150 during his appearance at Cruzan Amphitheatre. (Allen Eyestone / Palm Beach Post)
Photos: Toby Keith and Trace Adkins at Cruzan Amphitheatre
There were fewer kids in the audience this year at Cruzan Amphitheatre when Toby Keith’s American Ride Tour rolled in.
I guess people learned from last year’s performance, which was criticized for being R-rated, and they left the kids at home.
Well, Keith’s not going to apologize for being too adult. And he’s not going to apologize for being patriotic either. In fact, you can buy a T-shirt that has a red, white and blue hand with one particular finger extended and the words “Never apologize for being patriotic” written below.
Apologies aside, Keith is no bait-and-switch act. It’s a like what Vince Gill once said about Alan Jackson: Like McDonald’s you always know what you’re going to get. What we got was a brash, bold, sarcastic smart guy who happens to sing okay. But if you’re showing up to at Toby Keith concert for the vocals, well, you’re missing the point. Keith’s act is two-thirds music, one-third comedy. And sometimes you just want to laugh.
For years, Keith has started his show with a commercial for Ford Trucks, his tour sponsor. This year’s commercial didn’t plug Ford Trucks as much as it did Keith, citing his stats: 33 million albums sold, eight USO Tours, etc. But the tailgate of a Ford Truck took center-stage when the black curtain dropped and Keith rolled out of it with the battle cry of his fans: Let’s party!
A Marine in his dress uniform handed him his guitar.
Keith kicked things off with the title cut of his upcoming album, Bullets in the Gun, due out Oct. 5. It’s tough to start a show with a song that’s not yet ingrained in the psyche of your fans, so it wasn’t the running start Keith usually gets. And following with American Ride – well, that’s a song I appreciate for its message, but it’s not a signature song for the big dog. If I never heard it again, I wouldn’t mind.
Finally, the third song in, we started cooking: I’m Just ‘Talkin’ ‘Bout Tonight. Classic Keith. Then Whiskey Girl, another classic.
I’ve always said a live show like this is no place to try out new material. I don’t usually like those songs, because I’m a) mad the artist isn’t play a song I know and love, and b) I can’t understand the lyrics. But Keith played a song from his upcoming album, called Somewhere Else. (“If you don’t know where you’re going, you might end up somewhere else.”) A real toe-tapper. And a song I’ll buy the album just to hear. So I guess even though I don’t like it, it works.
That was a turning point and things picked up speed from there: Trailerhood, You Shouldn’t Kiss Me Like That, Crying for Me, the song he wrote about Wayman Tisdale.
Not too many surprises. But Keith is like McDonald’s. You know how you’re going to feel okay even after you’ve eaten yourself silly. With all the alcohol being consumed, I’m sure a lot of fans will be waking up with big heads tomorrow morning. But hopefully they’ll have some great memories too.
Trace Adkins opens for Toby Keith at Cruzan Amphitheatre. (Allen Eyestone / Palm Beach Post)
And if you do wake up with a pounding head, take a lesson from Trace Adkins and get a BC Powder.
Adkins started his set selling the popular pain remedy with a hilarious commercial. After a series of mishaps, including splitting his pants, banging his head and nose, getting chased by two pit bulls, rolling down a hill and crashing into a convertible driven by a hot blonde, Adkins claims all he needs is a little BC Powder and he’ll be right as rain. Not sure I’m buying that, but the commercial was LOL funny.
Adkins looked right as rain in his tight black T-shirt and jeans. Women everywhere were fanning themselves, and not just from the heat.
Adkins’ new album, Cowboy’s Back in Town, debut at No. 1 on the country charts in August and Adkins kicked things into gear with the song Whoop a Man’s Ass. That’s his philosophy he says: Two kinds of men deserve a beating: Men who swear in front of children and who ‘rough up’ ladies. Can’t say as I can argue with him.
Adkins had a few more surprises too: He pointed out his daughters who were perched on the stage enjoying the show, and told the crowd it was his daughter Brianna’s birthday. After we joined him in a chorus of Happy Birthday — and with not even a second’s rest — Adkins said, “Now here’s a nasty song about her mama,” and played Hot Mama. It’s actually both nasty and a sweet and the crowd loved it.
But Adkins cover of the vintage Larry Graham love song Once in A Lifetime left me tepid, but he redeemed himself when he his own love song — This Ain’t No Love Song.
No Trace Adkins show would be complete without his biggest cross-over hit: Honky Tonk Badonkadonk. I may not love that song but it’s obviously a fan favorite. It got the crowd on its feet to shake their, well, badonkadonks. Adkins says the song is his idea of a stimulus package.
With a set lasting just under an hour I was still thirsty for more Adkins. I missed You’re Gonna Miss This. And Rough and Ready. And I’m Trying. Maybe if Adkins and Keith return for a third year, we can ask them to flip so we’ll get twice as much Trace. What do you say, girls?
Attending the Toby Keith concert was not on my list of things to do yesterday when I woke. At 1:00pm, my husband expressed a sincere interest in attending, so I accepted (with reservations).
My musical preferences have not included a large population of country music. Though certain country artists and various songs have struck my interest for the last twelve years or so, but I have never participated in an actual Country Music concert. This would be my first.
By 7:00pm, I had reluctantly prepared for the event and somewhat felt as if I were dragging my feet as we arrived to the amphitheatre. We got to our seats almost an hour after the concert began; when Trace Adkins was more than half way through his performance. I had heard of Trace Adkins, but was not familiar with him or his music. Nonetheless, I was well aware of Toby Keith and my opinion leaned more towards the unimpressed side. It was not that I regarded Mr. Keith as untalented (actually just the opposite), but I did perceive him as your average arrogant ego maniac. In spite of my assumptions, it was obvious to me that attending this concert was important to my husband. He was looking forward to this event, so I was careful to react positively.
Arriving late to Mr. Adkins performance did not rob me of the opportunity to learn of his musical style or realize the impression he makes upon his audience. It was also obvious to me the reason he is on tour with Toby Keith. Both have a very masculine presence. I got the feeling both probably spend their free time hunting, cutting down trees, or corralling horses.
Already rockin’ in my seat before Trace Adkins completed his last set, I could see this was a whole new experience. Intermission had begun and I used the time to observe. This crowd was different than those at the countless rock concerts I had attended over the years, but I just could not put my finger on it.
In no time, a video started preparing for Toby Keith to enter the stage and warning those wondering from their seats to prepare for a night to remember. Instantly, I was more than glad to be there. Within minutes of his performance, my previous reservations about Toby Keith had subsided and I began wishing I had brought a note pad to capture the numerous insightful thoughts and intense emotions which were snowballing by the second. Toby Keith’s powerful voice not only accessorizes the upbeat tunes, but communicates authority. His song list included a wide range of lyrics. Each tune described a different kind of story. One minute tears were falling from my eyes, in another, I was laughing. Toby has a way to make a song real. Whether the song is about losing a friend to cancer, or complaining about how he’s not smoking with Willy anymore, the man has a gift for writing and performing songs.
Since the elections of 2008, I have felt a loss of assurance in the leadership and direction within my country. Growing up in the mid-western United States during the 1970’s, I recall us being one. Of course, there were always controversial issues, but for the most part – we were one. With today’s current failing economy and the leadership of a rocky government, many Americans are feeling angry, frustrated and defenseless. The future appears unstable and many current leaders are not accommodating to the beliefs we once knew. For a few hours last night, Toby Keith made me feel that America may have a chance. Not only is this man an excellent performer, singer-song writer, musician, but he has the ability to inspire. If more U.S. leaders and citizens display the same passion for our country as Toby Keith, the courage to express it and the ability to inspire, the United States just may have a chance. We could use someone like Toby for president.
I attended the concert last night, I even purchased one of the shirts (never apologize for being patriotic) and I believe the concert was wonderful. Everything you wrote in your article you were in great detail of everything that happened. I also agree with Peggy, We need someone like Toby for president.
I loved every second of Trace! He was so sexy & has such a beautiful voice….gotta LOVE that baritone!!! Toby was good too, just doesn’t hold a candle to Trace!!!(in voice or sexiness)
The biggest surprise was Toby bringing David Allen Coe out to sing his two infamous songs “You Don’t Have To Call Me Darlin’..Darlin” and “Take This Job & Shove It” (recorded by Johnny Paycheck)
CJ
Saw this concert in the spring (minus David Alleb Coe dern it) and if there is one show every American should see this year it is Trace and Toby. There are real men in America that know how to love their families and who do not apologize for loving the country too. Go see these guys—you will not be sorry—-but probably surprised—–and truly hopeful.
All I have to say is….I was looking forward to TRACE and he didn’t let me down!!! One word…..YUM!!! I could sit and listen to him all night and would have!
Toby Always Puts On A GREAT show!
Ri-Ri got herself one hot song in Only Girl In The World). I could really see that Rhi has one hit era soon and I’ma surely purchase that disc.