UNIVERSITY PARK, PA- Dierks Bentley told the nearly 15,000 screaming fans in the Bryce Jordan Center that his job on Brad Paisley’s American Saturday Night Tour is similar to that of a bartender.
While Bentley didn’t have any alcoholic beverages to serve to the crowd, the singer made the comment in reference to his job as one of Paisley’s opening acts.
The Arizona native said it’s up to fellow opening act Jimmy Wayne to get the party started, then as more fans trickle in Bentley keeps the crowd energized before Paisley, their gracious host, takes the stage.
When the American Saturday Night Tour entered its second to last stop Friday night, Paisley and company were still going strong.
Wayne kicked off the show sprinting up and down the three catwalks that led into the crowd and the Kerosene Kid’s energy didn’t let up. During his 30 minute set Wayne played his 2003 debut single “Stay Gone” and showcased his vocals on his latest song, a cover of Hall & Oates’ “Sara Smile.” Clutching his black acoustic guitar Wayne thanked his band as fiddle player Jake Clayton impressed the crowd by playing the instrument behind his back.
While Clayton received a great deal of cheers, Wayne who was celebrating his 37th birthday, received a cake and well wishes from the crowd who sang “Happy Birthday” to him after he finished his set.
After a brief set change and chants of “We Are…Penn State” coming from the excited crowd, Bentley primed the audience with his latest hit, “Sideways.” As the entertainer brought more and more energy throughout his 50-minute performance, he also was able to control the crowd as he played some of his slower songs.
Sitting on a wooden stool at the center of the stage, Bentley pointed to the large American Flag that hung in the arena and said it served as the perfect backdrop for his song “My Last Name.” While showcasing his vocals during an emotional performance of the song, Bentley quickly kept the party going with his hits “What was I Thinking,” followed by his encore, “Free and Easy Down the Road I Go.”
After two highly entertaining and energetic performances, Paisley took a very simple approach to his opener. The man who is nominated for Entertainer of the Year walked out to the end of the catwalk, pulled up a stool and played an acoustic version of “Start a Band.
The song mellowed the crowd as Paisley showcased his vocals while his guitar didn’t overpower the song. But for as quiet as the crowd was it gave Paisley the opportunity to build the crowd’s energy throughout his 90-minute performance.
Immediately after the conclusion of “Start a Band” Paisley’s band joined in as six video boards emerged from the stage and the tours headlining song, “American Saturday Night” blasted throughout the arena.
As the West Virginia native continued tearing through his set with the nifty guitar licks and catchy lyrics that his fans love, Paisley couldn’t help but mention the admiration he has for legendary Penn State football coach Joe Paterno. The crowd erupted when cartoon images of Paisley visiting local Penn State University hot spots appeared on the stage’s main video board.
Cartoon images on the video board were a reoccurring theme throughout Paisley’s show as he soloed on his Telecaster while an animated video ran behind him. In the video Paisley acted as a superhero as he saved fellow country artists Sugarland, Reba McEntire, Alan Jackson and Kenny Chesney from animated explosions.
Paisley took his impressive note bending and guitar picking skills into his next song as the Male Vocalist of the Year performed “The World,” followed by “Letter to Me.” In the middle of “Letter to Me” pictures from Paisley’s senior year at John Marshall High School appeared on the video board while the singer joked that he is living proof that life does get better.
The board continued to captivate the audience as “When I Get Where I’m Going” featured pictures to deceased celebrities such as Dale Earnhardt, Patrick Swayze and Les Paul.
The somber mood of the song quieted the crowd until Paisley began his final three songs. He wisely chose “Ticks,” “Online” and “Then” to end his show before returning to the stage for two encores.
“Welcome to the Future” was his first encore followed by one of his most notable songs, “Alcohol.” As if ending the show with one of his most popular songs wasn’t enough, Bentley and Wayne came out to help serenade the crowd. While Wayne attempted to dive into the crowd, Bentley and Paisley closed out the show with the fans singing and swaying along.
The concert marks the end of the American Saturday Night Tour on the east coast as Paisley has added 19 additional dates which take place throughout the Midwest and on the West Coast. Paisley will be joined by Justin Moore and Miranda Lambert for the additional dates which start on January 7, 2010.
Brad Paisley’s set list from State College, Pa concert:
Start a Band
American Saturday Night
Mud on the Tires
Wrapped Around
Celebrity
Waitin’ on a Woman
Water
I’m Still a Guy
Catch All the Fish
I’m Gonna Miss Her
She’s Everything
(Paisley electric guitar solo while cartoon plays)
The World
Letter to Me
When I Get Where I’m Going
Ticks
Online
Then
Welcome to the Future
Alcohol
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