Rascal Flatts took the stage tonight at Cruzan Amphitheatre and performed like the well-oiled machine that 11 years of touring has made them. The color scheme was black and white, the theme modern, with color coming from lighting and video. The band played bright white instruments, set against a huge stage-sized video screen with three doors cut out of it, and lighted stairs from the doors down to the stage.

The risers that lifted the drums and keyboards above the stage were video screens as well. Even the band was dressed in black and white, and everything was slick and polished and scripted and there’s where any criticism I have of last night’s show lies.

I believe the guys — Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney — love performing as much as they always have. And they work hard to mix it up and bring their fans a unique experience. But if you’re going to mix it up, use a blender and do it all the way.

Photos: Rascal Flatts and more at Cruzan Amphitheatre

The tribute to their heroes was too short – Jay DeMarcus on piano doing just the briefest Michael McDonald riff of Taking It to the Streets, Joe Don’s guitar solo tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughn’s If The House Is Rockin’ and Gary, well, let’s just say 30 seconds of Stevie Wonder left me thirsty for more. It was the part of the show I thought I’d like the least but it ended up being one of my favorite moments.

Another unexpected highlight? When Sara Evans joined the guys on stage to sing the Natasha Bedingfield part on Easy, I was floored, and it was that “oh oh oh” that went through my head all the way home, and in fact is still playing right now.
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With the announcement of the seven show Country Mega Ticket today at Cruzan Amphitheatre, this year promises more country music locally than ever!

Following some incredibly satisfying entertainment at the South Florida Fair — I saw Luke Bryan, David Nail and Chris Young — we have a brand new festival at Cruzan and the South Florida Fairgrounds.

The first- even WIRK Rib Round-Up kicks off the season on March 6, promising sweet and spicy ribs and extra-tasty entertainment.

Billy Currington is the biggest name on the bill. His second Billboard No. 1, People Are Crazy, topped the chart last summer. Also performing: Vero Beach’s Jake Owen, Darryl Worley, American Idol’s Josh Gracin and newcomer Josh Thompson.
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Rascal Flatts at the Cruzan Ampiteatre (Allen Eyestone/The Palm Beach Post) | See more photos

“It’s just hit after hit,” my friend gushed toward the end of Rascal Flatts’ 20-song set at Cruzan Amphitheater tonight, and she was spot-on.

From the second Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney set foot on stage, they had the crowd eating out of the palms of their hands.

Another thing started as soon as they took the stage?
Gary LeVox began to sweat. And sweat. And sweat.

He joked at one point that he’d have gladly paid the air conditioning bill and I believe him. He probably didn’t even realize that afternoon cloud cover and showers cooled things off a bit.

But as hot as it was, the performance was blistering.
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