The hills are alive

JONATHAN CHARLES FOX
Posted 7/19/17

Yes, the sound of music fills the air throughout the Upper Delaware River region all year long, but especially during the summer, thanks (in part) to the Pavilion concert season at Bethel Woods. …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

The hills are alive

Posted

Yes, the sound of music fills the air throughout the Upper Delaware River region all year long, but especially during the summer, thanks (in part) to the Pavilion concert season at Bethel Woods. Don’t get me wrong, I love checking out the local music scene and really enjoy the wide variety of entertainment that our home-grown bands provide. It never ceases to amaze me how many talented people inhabit our neck of the woods. And whether it’s bluegrass, jazz, country, pop or opera—someone, somewhere, is performing your favorite brand of music just around the bend here in the mountains.

I’m making a concerted effort to not burn the candle at both ends this summer, because I’m just too darn old to do it all, but with so much entertainment available, it’s difficult to pick and choose. Even though Luke Bryan has toured through these hills before, his new tour, “Huntin’, Fishin’, and Lovin’ Every Day,” has been drawing rave reviews wherever he stops. So I decided to check it out (www.bethelwoodscenter.org) and see what all the fuss was about. Noting that Lauren Alaina would be opening the show for Bryan and pal Brett Eldredge, I recalled that she had captured the heart of America during her stint on season 10 of “American Idol,” when the Georgia native became a household name. Performing her number one hit “Road Less Traveled,” Alaina charmed the crowd with anecdotes about her family and proved why her new release has been named one of Rolling Stone’s “most anticipated albums of 2017.”

“My daddy is an alcoholic, and when mama threatened to leave him, he dried out and has been sober for four years,” she told the crowd last Thursday night. “Mama left him anyhow, married a family friend and then daddy married a 30-year-old girl, not much older than me. But we only got one family and have to love each other, right? So I wrote a song about it [“I’m Doin’ Fine”], and it goes somethin’ like this.” Alaina was sweet, pretty and full of southern charm and I really enjoyed her vocals—but the story behind the music? Now, that’s what I call country.

Prior to superstar Bryan taking the stage, singer/songwriter Brett Eldredge came out to a thunderous ovation, as his legions of fans were part of the reason that the entire concert was SRO. The Nashville recording artist has had three number-one singles on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart (“Don’t Ya,” “Beat of the Music,” and “Mean to Me”), and he exuded southern hospitality while belting out several of his hits. He toasted the crowd, glass in hand, causing the ladies to swoon, while the men-folk hollered.

With song titles like “Drink a Beer,” “Drunk on You,” “Crash my Party” and “Kick the Dust Up” in his repertoire, it should come as no surprise that fans of headliner Luke Bryan would be enjoying an adult beverage or two while tailgating in the parking lot before the gates opened at Bethel Woods, and undoubtedly they were. But what was surprising (IMHO) was how incredibly well-behaved the sold-out crowd was that evening.

Bryan’s reputation as a great entertainer is legendary, and he did not disappoint on this leg of the tour, performing some of the titles mentioned above, along with hits “Move,” “Rain is a Good Thing,” “I See You,” and “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye.” Bryan, who has sold more than 27 million albums worldwide, is the real deal, and it’s easy to see why his appeal continues to grow. With more than 13 number-one songs under his belt, the all-round entertainer has received accolades from the industry, including being named “Entertainer of the Year” by the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association awards. While alcohol may play a part in the titles of his songs, there were no brawls, no unruly behavior, no drunken melees, nothing but country fans having a good ole time in the open air.

As the song says, “The hills fill my heart with the sound of music,” and huge concerts featuring Rod Stewart, Cindy Lauper, Florida Georgia Line, Chicago, The Doobie Brothers, Brantley Gilbert and Sting are still upcoming at Bethel Woods. I plan to attend several, as well as hitting smaller venues featuring local bands. Among those are Dennis Newberg/Dave Milner and The Rock Hill Ramblers appearing on Thursdays in Gazebo Park on Kauneonga Lake and a slew of performances coming up at local spots near you. Check out our calendar section at www.riverreporteronline.com to stay informed all summer long.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here