CMAfest Coliseum Show Review - Friday Night

All day I was wondering how tonight's CMAfest Coliseum show was even going to come close to comparing to last night's show. After reviewing the line-up, it was amazing to see the talent that was lined up to perform. Still, it was going to be a real challenge to even come close to the great acts' performances from the night before. But, I was ready, along with thousands of other fans to see what was in store for us.

What a treat to have the extremely talented singer / songwriter Craig Morgan open the show.
After graduating high school, Mr. Morgan became an EMT at age 18, he then enlisted in the military, where he spent 10 years, which included combat in Operation Just Cause.
After his military stint, Mr. Morgan returned to Tennessee, taking jobs in construction, at Wal Mart and as a sheriff's deputy. Any free time he could find, he spent writing songs. Craig Morgan got a record deal & his 1st self titled album was released by Atlantic Records in 2000. After Atlantic closed, Morgan decided to go with Broken Bow Records where his 2nd album, "I Love It," was released.
His 1st single from this album, "Almost Home" earned a Songwriter Achievement Award from the Nashville Songwriter's Association Int'l after reaching the Top 10. The album reached the top of the Billboard's Heat Seeker's Listing.

On this night, Mr. Morgan kicked off the show with his new single, "Redneck Yacht Club", his fastest rising single to date. He surprised his audience during this performance by jumping from the stage, running into the crowd singing this summertime hit to his boat loving fans!
Of course, he couldn't have gotten away with not performing the song that catapulted him into stardom, "Almost Home", as well as, "What I Love About Sunday". The latter spending 5 weeks at #1 on the charts. Both of these songs tugged at our heartstrings, while "Red Neck Yacht Club" is a fun, summertime song.
The crowd was certainly pleased with his performance and definitely let it show!

Newcomer Josh Gracin was 2nd on the lineup for this night. Born and raised 30 miles west of Detroit, MI in Westland, his biggest idol growing up was Garth Brooks. Mr. Gracin's 1st public appearance was at an 8th grade talent competition where he performed Garth's "Standing Outside the Fire" and won over the audience! While still in school, he was involved in a talent competition that took him to the stage of the Grand Ole Opry. Mr. Gracin enlisted in the marines after high school. It was there where he saw the show America Idol & eventually auditioned, won a spot as a contestant and ended up winning 4th place. Gracin's story ended differently than other reality show contestants who don't win or at least come in 2nd place. On one episode, Gracin sang Rascall Flatts' song, "I'm Movin' On". It just so happened that the Rascall Flatt guys were on their bus watching the show & were very impressed with this new, young fellow. Flatt's bass player, Jay DeMarcus called and put Gracin in touch with the man who co-produced their 1st two albums, Marty Williams. Before long, Gracin had a record deal with the same label as Rascall Flatts, Lyric Street Records!

He arrived in Music City and seemed it fit right in. Already having two big hits under his belt, he certainly didn't need much of an introduction on this night! Performing both these hits, "I Wanna Live" and "Nothin' to Lose", Mr. Gracin seemed very comfortable on stage in front of such a huge crowd. He certainly has already established a huge fan base with country music fans!