Live Thursday from the CMAfest Greased Lightning Riverfront Stages

Thursday's Greased Lightning Riverfront Show Review
The Mega Music Show
What can we say about Mel Tillis that hasn't been said before? Mel is one of the mainstays in country music and was(and really still is) a major musical influence. He sure brought back memories with "Send me down to Tucson", "Coca Cola Cowboy", "I've got the Horse". Mel let his 2 backup singers do a medley of songs made popular by the female heavyweights. They were very enjoyable. He was then surprise with Pam coming out onstage. They then sang a father/ daughter duet song that Pam found a couple years ago "Waiting on the Wind" and teased her father about stammering and having to wait on the wind while growing up. This duet was one of the highlights of the day. . Mel then finished his set with a gospel song, "The Father's Son". We were overjoyed that Mel decided to come back to Nashville and honor us with his presence at the Riverfront Stages. The crowd showed Mel that he was dearly missed and still remembered. Mel, please come back and grace us with your presence again next year...we have, and always will, love you.

Danni O'Neal is a new artist from England. She went to the Paul McCartney School of Music and came to the USA to make her cod "Breaking It Down" which will be coming out later this summer. She was pleasant and easy to listen to. She does have a good stage presence.

Little Big Town was given a great reception to show how much they have been missed since they lost their record deal. They have now landed a new deal and their new song "Boomdocks" will be released shortly. They also sang "Good As Gold", and "Bring It On Home to Me" along with their other chart toppers. Welcome back to CMAfest and good luck with your new label.

Chely Wright took the stage by storm. She looked as great as ever wearing a lovely lime green t-shirt. This gal always looks fabulous. She started out with "Shut Up and Drive". She then told the story about how "The Bumper of my SUV" got written and that it really was indeed a true story and every line of the song being the truth. Her brother has been in the Marines for over 15 years. Her dad was in the Navy and was in Viet Nam. Her Grandfather earned a purple heart on the beaches of Normandy during WW II in the army. This was the best selling single for 9 weeks. She also said that she wasn't planning on recording it as radio would not play a song that long. This is a song that needed to be released and still needs to be listened to. She then performed "Single White Female" and ended with her new song "The River" which talks about the river in her hometown. How they love the river and have fun in it, but it can also be deadly. She lost 2 friends to the river, one early in school and one a year after graduation.

Ty Herndon moved to Texas when he lost his record deal. He is now back in Nashville with a new deal and showed he still has the stuff to be a star. Ty is still great looking, an excellent singer, and the crowd showed they are glad to have him back. He started with "I want My Goodbye Back" and also did "Love Looks Good on You", "Living in the Moment" which is the ultimate love and wedding song. He ended his set with "What Matters Most". Welcome back, Ty. You were gone too long.

Pam Tillis started her set with my favorite Pam song, "Mi Via Loca". Among the highlights were "Maybe it was Memphis" and ended with 2 flashback 60's songs. "I Want To Hold Your Hand" and "Last Train To Clarksville" Pam was then rained out. Maybe she is bad luck for the riverfront? She brought the rain last year, too. We're just teasing you Pam. We want you back next year.