Brad Paisley, Kane Brown and & Dan Tyminski at The Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
Brad Paisley, Kane Brown and & Dan Tyminski
The Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
Wantagh, NY
August 10, 201
Brad Paisley is a country superstar. Beginning in 1999 with the release of his debut album Who Needs Pictures he has taken his place among the cream of the crop of country artists. During his career he has released ten studio albums and a Christmas album on the Arista Nashville label. His latest Arista Nashville CD, Love and War was released in 2017. His live CD/DVD, Life Amplified World Tour: Live From WVU, was released by City Drive Films in 2016. Paisley has sold over 11 million albums and won three Grammy Awards, 14 Academy of Country Music Awards, 14 Country Music Association Awards, and two American Music Awards. He has had 32 singles reach the Top 10 on the US Billboard Country Airplay chart. Of those 32, more than half (19) have reached Number 1.
Kane Allen Brown is a soon-to-be 25-year-old country singer and songwriter. His first public exposure was through social media and shortly thereafter in June of 2015, he independently released the EP,Closer. In 2016, he signed with RCA Nashville Records and released his first full-length album, the self-titled Kane Brown. The album was propelled by the single “What Ifs” and in October 2017, Brown achieved a first. Not only a personal first, but a worldwide first, when he became the first artist to have number ones on all five main country charts—AT THE SAME TIME.
Dan Tyminski is a bluegrass artist. As a member of the band Alison Krauss and Union Station, Tyminski is no stranger to the stage. As a solo artist he has released two albums, Carry Me Across The Mountain (Doobie Shea Records, 2000) and Wheels (Rounder Records, 2008). His version of “Man of Constant Sorrow” was prominently featured in the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou? and won the 2001 CMA Award for best single as well as a Grammy Award for best Country Collaboration with Vocals (along with Harley Allen and Pat Enright). During his career Tyminski has been the recipient of a total of 14 Grammy Awards (as a solo artist and for collaborative projects).
The evening opened with Tyminski and his band delivering a tight short set, which included “Hey Brother” the Avicii song to which he lent his voice, his latest singles “Southern Gothic” and “Bloodline” and, of course, “Man of Constant Sorrow.” Tyminski is a talent that many (unless they are fans of bluegrass and/or Alison Krauss) may not have knowledge of. After this performance, a lot of Long Islanders had their eyes opened. They have been listening to Tyminski for quite some time without knowing. Judging by the reception he received, Tyminski made quite a few new fans.
After a short intermission, both Brown and the rising tide hit the stage. The Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater is an outdoor venue located on Kips Bay. Occasionally, when the tide is rising, it works its way into the lower area of the orchestra pit. On this night, with a number of storms heading toward the tri-state area, the surge caused the tide to rise a tad more than expected.
With the audience members at the front of the orchestra standing in calf-deep water, Brown took the opportunity to show the love to the diehards. As he confidently strode down the catwalk, he shook hands and gave low-fives to the fans. His eleven song set was highlighted by the set-opening “Found You,” as well as “Hometown” “Used To Love You Sober,” “Location,” “Lose It” and “Heaven.”
Brown’s high-energy set ended with what has got to be his signature song, “What Ifs.” Judging by the shrieks and screams of the female fans in the audience, Brown’s career has continued to grow and he is definitely a star on the rise. On his next tour, when he returns to Jones Beach, he will most likely be the headlining act.
After another intermission, Brad Paisley with his band (Gary Hooker on rhythm guitar, Kenny Lewis on bass, Ben Sesar on drums, Randle Currie on steel guitar, Justin Williamson on fiddle and mandolin and multi-instrumentalist Kendal Marcy) stormed the stage. The stage set-up featured the catwalk up front and a huge video screen at the back. This allowed Paisley to duet with Carrie Underwood via Facetime (she was shown on the video screen) on “Remind Me.” Amazing as it might sound, that duet wasn’t even the highlight of the performance. During an in-person duet with Kane Brown on “I’m Still A Guy,” Paisley took a selfie of Brown and himself with a fan’s cellphone. The audience lost it when the fan’s boyfriend proposed to her. Needless to say, she accepted.
Other highlights included: the set-opener “Mud On the Tires,” “The World,” “Perfect Storm,” “Water,” the snippet of “Purple Rain,” “This Is Country Music,” “Love and War” and “American Saturday Night”…and that was just during the first part of the show.
What could be described as the second part of the show began with “Remind Me” and “I’m Still A Guy.” The songs contained during this portion of the performance would have delighted even the most jaded fan and could have constituted a standalone show unto themselves. This portion of the show was highlighted by “Celebrity,” “She’s Everything,” “Crushin’ It,” “Letter To Me,” “Southern Comfort Zone,” “I’m Gonna Miss Her,” and the cover of Alan Jackson’s “Chattahoochee.” The show ended with strong versions of “River Bank” and “Today” and finally, an amazing version of “Alcohol.”
At the end of the show, Paisley took a moment to thank the audience for coming out. The audience members responded with a rousing cheer. It was obvious that a good time was had by all—even those who’s seats came with the added bonus of the surprising rising tides of the bay and Atlantic Ocean.
Photos: Christine Connallon
