Old Dominion Gives Back During ‘7 For 7’ Finale

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Old Dominion. Photo: Mason Allen

Last night (Feb. 6) at the Ryman Auditorium, Old Dominion took the stage for their final “7 for 7” residency show, an evening of music and philanthropy aimed at raising funds for various charities, while the band was also celebrating seven consecutive CMA Awards for Vocal Group of the Year. The energy in the venue was palpable, as fans of all ages packed in, eager to experience the band’s unique blend of country charm and rock-infused tunes that are normally played at arenas inside the intimate setting.

The band’s current radio single “Coming Home” kicked things off with frontman Matthew Ramsey setting the tone, playing a smooth harmonica solo that had the crowd swaying to the rhythm. The band quickly transitioned into “No Hard Feelings,” with Ramsey teasing the audience with a xylophone solo. The crowd loved it, and the playful sound added a flair to the already memorable track.

“This is the last show, show No. 7 baby,” Ramsey exclaimed during a roaring crowd applause. “And there’s only one show tonight, so that means we can do whatever we wanna do.” With that, the night turned into a “request line,” where fans were able to request songs via signs they brought in. The night kept rolling with “Make It Sweet,” followed by “Different About You,” both crowd favorites that got everyone singing along, their voices filling the venue. With the set list spanning all the fan-loved songs, “Be With Me” and “Beer Can In A Truck Bed” were instant highlights, and you could feel the crowd’s connection.

The War And Treaty and Matthew Ramsey. Photo: Mason Allen

The evening’s surprises didn’t stop there. As the band dove into Bill Withers’ “Lean On Me”, the room erupted in excitement when The War & Treaty joined them on stage for a powerhouse collaboration. Their harmonies filled the venue, adding an extra layer of soul to the classic anthem.

The excitement reached new heights as Ernest joined the band for “Flower Shops,” bringing a little more magic to the moment with his signature smoothness. The crowd soaked in every second, swaying in perfect harmony with the music.

The tempo picked up with “How Good Is That,” followed by the slowed down rock of “Some Horses,” two songs that had the crowd on their feet, hands in the air, and dancing lending to the band’s unstoppable momentum. As the night moved into “Snapback,” the vibe was pure fun, a shout-out to simpler times, with fans screaming every word.

Ernest and Matthew Ramsey. Photo: Mason Allen

During “Hotel Key,” the band passed around different hotel keys from the crowd, creating an intimate and spontaneous moment that tied everyone together.

The crowd roared with excitement as Ramsey invited a fan on stage during “All I Know About Girls.” The girl, attending her very first concert, was welcomed like an old friend, her wide-eyed excitement as palpable as the energy in the room. She took in the moment, singing along with the band and her family, her joy contagious to everyone around her.

After “Memory Lane,” Ramsey took a moment to address the crowd.

Old Dominion. Photo: Mason Allen

“Today we took a tour of part of this building that’s not really open to the public. We went up into the attic, and it’s pretty impressive and empty up there. But you can tell that’s where all the music that is played here, the songs make their way up there and they hang out there forever.” Ramsey then challenged the crowd to sing “One Man Band” as loud as possible to cement the song into the building’s history. Before the band played “Say You Do”, Ramsey shared the story of how it marked his first-ever No. 1 hit as a songwriter, and fellow band member Trevor Rosen’s second No. 1.

With “Song For Another Time” and “I Was On A Boat That Day,” the audience was singing along to every word, a massive sea of voices echoing throughout the Ryman.

“The fact that we officially formed this band in 2007 and spent years playing to no one,” frontman Ramsey reflected during “I Was On A Boat That Day.” “We had a blast doing it the whole time, knowing that we had something special. We have traveled the world and seen all different countries and we have so much to be proud of, but this right now is topping the list.”

Fans requesting songs during Old Dominion. Photo: Mason Allen

A truly incredible moment came with the final song “Goodnight Music City,” a brand new song they’d written just two weeks ago. The vulnerability in the performance, combined with the intimate feel of the Ryman (which gets a shoutout in the song), gave the song an emotional weight that resonated with the entire room. As the band wrapped up the night, there was no denying the sense of community and celebration. 

During the show, the band announced that throughout their seven nights, they were able to raise $1.25M for various charities. The band also celebrated their seven night run by releasing a brand new song today (Feb. 7), “Making Good Time.”

Madison Hahnen
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