Alan Jackson kicked off his extensive 2020 Concert schedule with his first show of the tour in Cincinnati, at the newly re-named Heritage Bank Center Friday, January 10th. Real country music was the theme of the night. Taking the stage in his mandatory white cowboy hat and strategically ripped jeans, Jackson was in strong voice throughout the evening.
From the playlist before the show, to Jackson's tribute to song writers from a vast country catalog...it was all about the songs. Starting the show, along with his stellar 8-piece Stray Horn Band, “Gone Country” set the tone for a straight-ahead country music show. The crowd, many of who, have grown up to the music, sang along to every song, much to Jackson's delight. When you talk of Alan Jackson...it’s all about the songs.
From standout covers of “Summertime Blues” and the overlooked Charly McClean Classic “Who's Cheatin’ Who,” the songs are the focus. An emotional pull was there for his tribute to his late father with the song “Drive”, and the impromptu chants of USA USA after he finished, “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning).” The songs connected to everyone in attendance.
The tour is a look back at his career, but not completely nostalgia. Alan Jackson's place in the history of country music is important and the concert was a tribute to that Hall of Fame career.
