It has been 10 years since superstar couple Tim McGraw and Faith Hill have taken their Soul2Soul Tour on the road, and Tuesday evening (Oct. 4), they gave fans a taste of the upcoming production at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.
Billed as “Sam & Audrey,” a moniker taken from the couple’s full names (Samuel Timothy McGraw and Audrey Faith Perry), the show sold out in 12 minutes after tickets went on sale one day earlier.
After a video montage announced their upcoming world tour, the couple entered from opposite sides of the Ryman stage, performing their signature 1997 hit, “It’s Your Love” as the Ryman crowd, a mix of fans and industry members, jumped to its feet.
“We are going back on the road on tour!” said Hill. “We are going to go from side to side, south to north, all the way around the globe.”
“2017 we are going back on the road. We are going to do a Soul2Soul Tour. We’ve been waiting on this for a long time,” said McGraw.
“I feel so sentimental right now,” said Hill. “I feel like if I talk right now, I might cry.”
Hill let her supple, country-soul voice do the talking for her, as she ran through the night’s first solo set of hits including “This Kiss” and “Mississippi Girl” before proving she can do southern bluesy fare just fine with a rendition of Aretha Franklin’s “Dr. Feelgood.” Though Hill has been out of the spotlight for some time, she seemed rejuvenated during her set, cutting a striking figure as she worked both sides of the stage.
She returned to her catalog of hits with “Cry,” “Stronger,” and her debut single, a cover of Janis Joplin’s “Piece Of My Heart,” which sounded more akin to Joplin’s original than Hill’s 1994 recording.
McGraw returned to the stage for the smoldering “Angry All The Time,” before taking his own solo turn with “Something Like That” and “Shotgun Rider.”
“I love my job! I flat out love my job,” he told the crowd. “Sometimes I’m good at it and sometimes I’m bad at it and sometimes I’m OK at it but I always love it,” before introducing his recent smash “Humble and Kind,” penned by ace songwriter Lori McKenna.
“There ain’t nothing in the world like a kickass song. If you don’t believe me try to write one,” McGraw told the crowd. The performance was a highlight of the superstar’s set, pairing a timeless song with an A-list performer and classic venue, and instantly bringing the Ryman crowd to its feet.
“You’re pretty good, Lori!” McGraw praised the songwriter as the crowd’s thunderous ovation shifted from the singer to the writer, who was in attendance. It was clear that top-shelf songwriters are still superstars in this town.
You only get to live one time so let’s live it up tonight, McGraw sang during “Here Tonight,” a track from Damn Country Music. Both McGraw and the crowd seemed to sense the incomparable, history-making event this Ryman show would be, and live it up they did, as the crowd sang along to each word. Screaming, crunching guitars ushered in a performance of “Real Good Man,” as McGraw wrung out the sensuality in each lyric as he swaggered from one end of the stage to the other.
Though separately, Hill and McGraw have more than solidified their superstar status in Nashville, their onstage chemistry becomes enchanting when they share the stage.
As performers, they balanced each other during “Like We Never Loved at All,” with Hill standing tall and arching back as she powered through the song’s money notes, poised by McGraw hunching low to the Ryman stage’s wooden floorboards for much of the song, as his gravelly baritone provided a solid undercurrent.
They followed with Bob Seger’s “ We’ve Got Tonight,” which Kenny Rogers and Sheena Easton also covered in 1983. The powerful closing song brought the crowd to its feet once again, and they stayed there until the couple returned for a one-song encore.
Seated center stage, knee-to-knee and facing each other around a microphone, the McGraw and Hill seemed the only ones in the room as sang “I Need You” to one another, with Hill keeping rhythm with her right hand on McGraw’s leg.
The evening was a taste of the couple’s upcoming Soul2Soul 2017 tour, but judging by the Ryman show, it also proved that after 20 years together, this superstar couple has plenty of fire left in them, both musically and personally.
The Soul2Soul 2017 tour launches April 7 in New Orleans, and includes a Nashville date at Bridgestone Arena on Aug. 4.
Dierks Bentley, Elle King Celebrate No. 1 Hit “Different For Girls”
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Co-writer JT Harding, Dierks Bentley, Elle King and co-writer Shane McAnally. Photo: Ed Rode/ASCAP
Dierks Bentley and Elle King welcomed songwriters, publishers, label executives, media and more to Nashville venue Moto on Tuesday (Oct. 4) to celebrate the No. 1 hit, “Different For Girls.”
ASCAP’s Mike Sistad and Robert Filhart led the festivities. Among those making remarks were Global Music Rights’ (GMR) Randy Gimmett, SMACK’s Robert Carlton, UMG Nashville’s Royce Risser (filling in for an ailing Mike Dungan) and producer Ross Copperman.
The Gold-certified hit marks Bentley’s 15th career No. 2, and King’s first country No. 1 single.
“Different For Girls” was penned by GMR writer Shane McAnally and ASCAP writer JT Harding. The longtime co-writers earned their first No. 1 songs together six years ago, when they penned Kenny Chesney’s “Somewhere With You.” “Different For Girls” is McAnally’s 19th No. 1 song, and Harding’s fifth.
Speaking about Harding, McAnally noted, “He brings joy to the room. Even when you write a song like this, you leave the room feeling like you learned something about bringing positivity to the world.” He continued, “Ross Copperman, you handled this song with such care. I could have become just an artful moment on a record, but you took this to where it sounded like the radio without compromising the lyrics and the message. That is hard to do. Thank you for taking such good care of this song.”
“I knew this song was special when Robert Carlton starting texting us about it when it was just a recording on Shane’s phone,” said Harding. “It’s scary to think about what Nashville would have been like for me without you. Everywhere I go, people ask me, ‘What’s Shane McAnally like?’ I tell them he’s the hardest worker I’ve ever met and he’s so quick to share credit. He believes in songwriters, especially up-and-coming writers, and Nashville is so lucky to have you. Also to my new publisher Rusty Gaston, thank you for believing in me.”
Pictured (L-R): ASCAP’s Robert Filhart, co-writer JT Harding, ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, Dierks Bentley, Smack’s Robert Carlton, Elle King, producer Ross Copperman, co-writer Shane McAnally, Capitol Nashville/UMG’s Royce Risser and GMR’s Randy Grimmett – Photo: Ed Rode/ ASCAP
“I never thought that this would happen,” said King. “Thank you guys for writing a great song. It wouldn’t have existed without you guys working so hard on this.”
“It really changed my life,” said Bentley of the song. Describing the party atmosphere and subsequent recovery from life on the road, the singer thanked the songwriters “who know you better than you know yourself sometimes, and see paths for your career that you don’t even get a chance to see, because you’re just not fully conscious — other than when you’ve had two or three vodka Redbulls and it’s time to go onstage.”
He added, “A big part of the success has been the reach into the community. It’s taken me a while to realize that—12 or 13 years. You make great records when you balance out your own songs with great songs from the community.”
Joking about releasing other people’s songs as singles, he concluded, “It’s four in a row now I’ve cut. I need to maybe pull one of mine out at some point. I’m really thankful for that. Singing with Elle was a dream come true. Thank you guys for a great song and a great couple of years.”
“Different For Girls” is nominated for Musical Event of the Year at the upcoming 50th annual CMA Awards, while Bentley also has nominations in the Male Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year (for Black) and Video of the Year categories.
Keith Urban, Styx Confirmed For Nashville New Year’s Eve Show
/by Craig_ShelburneKeith Urban
Keith Urban will headline a free night of music in Nashville on New Year’s Eve as part of the Jack Daniel’s Music City Midnight: New Year’s Eve, the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp has announced. Urban leads a diverse lineup that includes rock band Styx (“Come Sail Away”), Nashville indie-progressive band Moon Taxi, country artists A Thousand Horses and Charlie Worsham, and the Fisk Jubilee Singers.
“What could be better than New Year’s Eve in downtown Nashville,” Urban said. “It’s an awesome way to ring in 2017, and I can’t wait for the party!”
“The diversity of this hometown lineup underscores why we are Music City,” said Beth Seigenthaler Courtney, chairman of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp and president of DVL Seigenthaler. “From big stars to rising stars and from country to rock to indie, this A-list is only possible in Nashville. Join us and experience Keith Urban sharing the stage with Styx, Moon Taxi, A Thousand Horses, Charlie Worsham and the Fisk Jubilee Singers, and it’s all free. These acts attract incredible fans with explosive energy for a dynamic event.”
The event will take place at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park for the first time to accommodate growth and enhance security. Last year’s New Year’s event on Lower Broadway attracted a record 150,000 to downtown, generating $22.2 million in direct visitor spending.
Jack Daniel’s Music City Midnight: New Year’s Eve in Nashville event site will open at 4 p.m. with a DJ. The raising of the Music Note by Mayor Megan Barry and the Fisk Jubilee Singers will follow at approximately 6:15 p.m. After a performance by the Fisk Jubilee Singers, Worsham will take the stage, followed by Moon Taxi, A Thousand Horses, Styx and Urban.
In Pictures: Tim McGraw, Faith Hill Get Stars On Music City Walk of Fame
/by Jessica NicholsonTim McGraw & Faith Hill at Music City Walk of Fame Induction 10.5.16 © Moments By Moser Photography
Tim McGraw and Faith Hill received their stars at the Music City Walk of Fame earlier today (Oct. 5). The couple’s silver stars are located at Nashville’s Walk of Fame Park. Reba McEntire, who already has a star in Nashville’s Walk of Fame park, was on hand to present Hill and McGraw with the honor.
Last night, the couple performed an intimate concert at the Ryman Auditorium, to announce their 2017 Soul2Soul tour, which launches in New Orleans on April 7 and runs through October.
Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, and Reba at Music City Walk of Fame Induction 10.5.16 © Moments By Moser Photography
Faith Hill & Reba at Music City Walk of Fame Induction 10.5.16 © Moments By Moser Photography
Tim McGraw & Faith Hill Music City Walk of Fame stars 10.5.16 © Moments By Moser Photography
Music Row Area To “Dress Up For St. Jude” On Thursday
/by Jessica NicholsonThe event was founded by four music business members in 2014 after a visit to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis. Proceeds directly support the music therapy program at the hospital.
The St. Jude music therapy program helps patients attain emotional goals, such as learning to express themselves by writing and performing songs and discussing song lyrics. Creativity also helps patients cope with disease and its treatment. A clinical and evidence-based practice, music therapy can be used to achieve both musical and non-musical goals.
For more, visit stjude.org.
Industry Ink: Singing Success, WMBA, The Gales Network
/by Craig_ShelburneSinging Success Opening Franklin Location
Brett Manning. Photo: Seth Farmer
Singing Success, owned by professional vocal coach Brett Manning, is expanding. The company will hold a grand opening party for their location at 1261 Columbia Ave. in Franklin, Tennessee, on Saturday (Oct. 8) from 6 to 9 p.m.
Singing Success also has a location at 1301 16th Ave S. on Music Row. Manning has been a vocal coach for 25 years and has spent more than 15 years in Nashville.
WMBA Plan Mixer, Encourage Applications
Women’s Music Business Association (WMBA) will hold for an open meeting and mixer sponsored by Edgehill Cafe and Monarch Publicity on Tuesday, Oct. 18 from 6-8 p.m. at Edgehill Café. Guests may enjoy complimentary light appetizers and drinks as the group discusses membership, benefits, alumni, and more.
The WMBA is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to fostering opportunities for women within the music industry through education, networking, industry involvement, community service, and organizational fellowship. The WMBA will be accepting applications through Dec. 1.
The Gales Network Suspends Operations
The Gales Network, the consultancy led by David and Melinda Gales, has closed after its sale to a longtime client. Melinda has been named Chief Growth Officer for Virsys12, the company’s acquirer. Virsys12 is a salesforce integrator and custom applications developer. David Gales has not announced his next step. He can be reached at david@davidgales.com.
David Gales founded The Gales Network in 1995 to create value between entertainment and technology clients in the early days of the digital marketing age. He spent years as a senior executive with the Columbia, A&M and RCA Records creating and executing marketing campaigns. In a digital marketing role with Sony Music Nashville, he led the development and marketing efforts for the websites and social network properties of over 20 artists.
Exclusive: Songwriter Abe Stoklasa Gets His “Fix” After Three Major Cuts
/by Eric T. ParkerBonus Q&A from Stoklasa’s print feature is below. To hear Stoklasa’s experience with streaming royalties and if he ever plans to release his own album, pick up a copy of MusicRow’s Publisher Issue print magazine.
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MusicRow: How did it feel to see Charles’ recording of “The Driver” receive that Grammy nomination?
Stoklasa: I feel like I can say I have a Grammy-nominated song, although I’m not a Grammy-nominated songwriter. We were in Charleston, I think, when I heard the news. I woke up like, “I’ve never had so many notifications in my feed in my life, what’s going on?!”
What other proud career moments stand out?
For a long time “Beginning of Things” was my favorite song that I was very proud of. I wrote it with Donovan Woods, and Charlie Worsham just cut it. It’s so songwriter-y, in that there are two or three levels and meanings to the lyrics that you will not get on one or two listens, which is a fun puzzle to put together. The whole story is made up with some influences in real life, but it was just an exercise in a certain way to be Shakespearean in a way. But I would feel confident handing that to Paul Simon, and I wouldn’t do that with any of my other songs.
What significance did your first cut have on you?
A year passed after I signed with Big Yellow Dog before my first cut (“Portland, Maine”), which came two weeks before my second and third (Blake Shelton and Lady Antebellum). I looked awesome for a day! I was most proud that they were outside cuts. Those artists didn’t know me. Especially the Tim McGraw song was so out of left field. You’re taught you have to get to know the artist and all that BS. It was nice to prove a song can be good enough.
Discuss your musical inspirations.
I pretty much totally missed the 90s. I had a very sheltered listening experience growing up. I never got to pick the radio stations and never had my own CD player. My dad feels like the only music in the world that exists is country music from 1950-1975. I know every decade of music pretty thoroughly, except my own.
I will always love Merle Haggard and Elvis. James Taylor, The Beatles, Frank Sinatra and Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder—anything Motown—just pleased my ear so much when I finally started venturing out. I studied everything in their catalogs and wanted to be like them. Since then, I’ve grown into Joni Mitchell and Paul Simon.
Lately, I ended up getting to write with Mike Reid. He was amazing. It took us four times getting together to write one song and we talked about life most of the time. He’s a philosopher. We definitely connected and have similar outlooks on life and ways of coping with existence. Mark D. Sanders was another of those spectacular songwriters I’ve gotten to write with.
Who is in your writing circle?
I have a very small writing circle that I feel like I was in the trenches with, although some had a lot of success way before I came along. I think every song Donovan Woods and I have written together has been cut so far, which is crazy. Sarah Buxton is another one I’ve had success with. Daniel Tashian, Jesse Frasure, Charles Kelley and Mark Trussell.
Who have been champions of you outside of your family?
If it wasn’t for Carla Wallace, I don’t know where I’d be. She had faith early on and was unabashed about it. Kerry O’Neil always has our backs. Even if it has nothing to do with Big Yellow Dog, he knows as much about everything as anyone else and offers advice. Laura [Wright] Alexander got me my first two cuts ever (“Portland, Maine” and Blake’s “A Girl”). She was pitching songs that weren’t “smashes” but just great songs.
And artists like Billy Currington. He was the first person to care about my songwriting. David Nail is a good friend, we don’t even have to talk about music. We both experienced a lot of firsts together on a tour bus. Charles Kelley has always been like a brother to me. He’s an amazing writer. We’ve written songs other people have cut… and he likes to cut my songs!
Do you feel any certain pressure to write to radio? Some of your cuts seem more complex than what is usually featured on air.
Except “Fix” (laughs). Any pressure I feel [to write a radio hit] would be self-imposed. I don’t feel pressure from my publisher. I can always tour if I needed money. But I do want radio hits, so I definitely try to write them and have spent a lot of time investing in trying to write Dallas Davidson songs or Craig Wiseman songs and there’s a reason I’ve failed, because I’m not them. I’ve found my skill-set and, more importantly, how it can be new to the marketplace.
Pick up a copy of the MusicRow Publisher Issue to read the full feature on Abe Stoklasa.
Artist Updates: Alabama, Zac Brown, Maggie Rose
/by Eric T. ParkerAlabama Featured In CMHoF Interview
Alabama. Photo: Alan Messer
On Saturday, Nov. 5, Country Music Hall of Fame members Alabama will sit for an in-depth interview at 2 p.m. in the museum’s CMA Theater.
Cousins Jeff Cook, Teddy Gentry and Randy Owen will talk with museum editor Michael Gray about their journey. The program is presented in support of the museum’s exhibition Alabama: Song of the South and is included with museum admission or museum membership. Seating is limited, and guests can reserve program passes beginning Friday, Oct. 7 at 10 a.m. here. This program will also be streamed live at countrymusichalloffame.org.
Zac Brown Designs Dodge Truck For Auction To Benefit Camp Southern Ground
Pictured (L-R): Rick Hendrick and Zac Brown. Photo: PRNewsFoto/Southern Ground
Zac Brown has custom-designed a 2015 Ram 2500 Commando, donated by auto dealer and NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick, to be auctioned by Barrett-Jackson on October 15. The donation will support Brown’s non-profit Camp Southern Ground in Georgia, focused on children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, ADD/ADHD, Dyslexia, and children with family members serving in the military.
Brown worked closely with his in-house design team, Zac Brown Customs, to outfit the truck with Mississippi Hornback Alligator skin on the seats, center console and steering wheel. The floor mats and sun visors liners feature Brazilian Bovine hair-on-hide. The truck, including its front decorative grill, features 33 GranDaddy knives, courtesy of Brown’s metal works shop Southern Grind. Rugged off-road accessories were donated by Greg Adler of 4 Wheel Parts in addition to the hand-painted Kryptek Camo rear truck bed, which also features a hidden tailgate step.
This is the third vehicle Hendrick has donated this year.
Maggie Rose Entertains Restaurateurs and Retailers In Home State
Pictured (L-R): RAM Board Chair Dan Stevens, MRA President Marshall Weston, BMI’s Dan Spears, Maggie Rose, Milton Inn Executive Chief/President Brian Boston and Potomac Family Dining Regional Operations Manager Garry Beck.
BMI songwriter Maggie Rose returned to her home state of Maryland to perform for annual gatherings of two key BMI licensing partners: the Maryland Retail Association and the Restaurant Association of Maryland.
From Sept. 25-27, Rose delivered a set for a large group of Maryland retailers at their annual conference dinner in Baltimore, and performed at a reception hosted by the Restaurant Association of Maryland held in conjunction with their annual Mid-Atlantic Food, Beverage and Lodging Expo in Timonium, Maryland.
Her current single “Love Me More” is a top 20 video on CMT.
Steve Wariner To Release 20th Studio Album, ‘All Over The Map’
/by Jessica NicholsonSteve Wariner
Steve Wariner is set to release his 20th studio album, All Over The Map, on Oct. 28 via SelecTone Records.
The 12-track album is a tribute to Wariner’s myriad of influences. The multi-talented vocalist and instrumentalist produced the album and co-wrote 10 of the tracks. He also played guitar, upright bass, drums, pedal steel, lap steel, and sings on seven of the tracks. Five other tracks are instrumentals.
He also brings in several musical colleagues, including Ricky Skaggs, Duane Eddy, Eric Johnson, Jack Pearson, Tommy Emmanuel and John Knowles. Emmanuel and Knowles are the only two other living musicians, in addition to Wariner, to have received the coveted title of Certified Guitar Player from guitar icon Chet Atkins. Both join Wariner on “CGP.”
The album also includes “When I Still Mattered To You,” a song Wariner wrote with Merle Haggard on a cruise ship in 1996 but had never previously recorded.
“Drop Top” (featuring Jack Pearson)
Written by Billy Love
“Meanwhile Back In Austin” (featuring Eric Johnson)
Written by Steve Wariner
“When I Still Mattered To You”
Written by Merle Haggard and Steve Wariner
“Nashville Spy-Line” (featuring Duane Eddy)
Written by Duane Eddy and Steve Wariner
“CGP” (featuring Tommy Emmanuel and John Knowles)
Written by Steve Wariner
“The Last Word” (featuring Ryan Wariner)
Written by Ryan Wariner
“Mr. Roy”
Written by Steve Wariner
“Way It Goes” (featuring Greg Martin)
Written by Steve Wariner
“Down Sawmill Road” (featuring Ricky Skaggs)
Written by Steve Wariner
“Modulation Situation”
Written by Steve Wariner
“Girl Like You”
Written by Sam Hawksley, Ian Moss and Steve Wariner
“Augustine’s Dream”
Written by Steve Wariner
Legal Executive Lee Cheng Joins Gibson Brands As COO/EVP
/by Jessica NicholsonLee Cheng
Gibson Brands, Inc., CEO Henry Juszkiewicz announced that Lee Cheng will be joining Gibson Brands as Chief Operating Officer/Executive Vice President, effective immediately. He will be based in the company’s Nashville headquarters.
Cheng previously served as the Chief Legal Officer, Sr. VP of Corporate Development and Corporate Secretary at Newegg.com, an online-only retailer of electronics.
While at Newegg, Lee was twice named Top 50 General Counsel in America by the National Law Journal and served on the Consumer Technology Association’s Board of Industry Leaders. Prior to Newegg, Lee also worked at premier international law firms Latham & Watkins and served as General Counsel at two venture funded startups. Lee is a graduate of Harvard College and UC Berkeley’s Boalt Hall School of Law.
“I am so impressed with Lee’s talent,” commented Juszkiewicz. “He will be responsible for driving and managing various enterprise level projects and will report directly to me. He will be involved with Gibson Brands on specific projects which will include having direct responsibility for some operations, departments and business lines and divisions.”
“I am joining an amazing organization built on a rock-solid foundation of beloved, globally recognized brands to help the visionary CEO, Henry Juszkiewicz, realize his incredible vision of making Gibson stand for Music,” commented Cheng.
Exclusive: Tim McGraw and Faith Hill Revisit Hits, Rekindle Fire At Ryman Concert
/by Jessica NicholsonIt has been 10 years since superstar couple Tim McGraw and Faith Hill have taken their Soul2Soul Tour on the road, and Tuesday evening (Oct. 4), they gave fans a taste of the upcoming production at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.
Billed as “Sam & Audrey,” a moniker taken from the couple’s full names (Samuel Timothy McGraw and Audrey Faith Perry), the show sold out in 12 minutes after tickets went on sale one day earlier.
After a video montage announced their upcoming world tour, the couple entered from opposite sides of the Ryman stage, performing their signature 1997 hit, “It’s Your Love” as the Ryman crowd, a mix of fans and industry members, jumped to its feet.
“We are going back on the road on tour!” said Hill. “We are going to go from side to side, south to north, all the way around the globe.”
“2017 we are going back on the road. We are going to do a Soul2Soul Tour. We’ve been waiting on this for a long time,” said McGraw.
“I feel so sentimental right now,” said Hill. “I feel like if I talk right now, I might cry.”
Hill let her supple, country-soul voice do the talking for her, as she ran through the night’s first solo set of hits including “This Kiss” and “Mississippi Girl” before proving she can do southern bluesy fare just fine with a rendition of Aretha Franklin’s “Dr. Feelgood.” Though Hill has been out of the spotlight for some time, she seemed rejuvenated during her set, cutting a striking figure as she worked both sides of the stage.
She returned to her catalog of hits with “Cry,” “Stronger,” and her debut single, a cover of Janis Joplin’s “Piece Of My Heart,” which sounded more akin to Joplin’s original than Hill’s 1994 recording.
McGraw returned to the stage for the smoldering “Angry All The Time,” before taking his own solo turn with “Something Like That” and “Shotgun Rider.”
“I love my job! I flat out love my job,” he told the crowd. “Sometimes I’m good at it and sometimes I’m bad at it and sometimes I’m OK at it but I always love it,” before introducing his recent smash “Humble and Kind,” penned by ace songwriter Lori McKenna.
“There ain’t nothing in the world like a kickass song. If you don’t believe me try to write one,” McGraw told the crowd. The performance was a highlight of the superstar’s set, pairing a timeless song with an A-list performer and classic venue, and instantly bringing the Ryman crowd to its feet.
“You’re pretty good, Lori!” McGraw praised the songwriter as the crowd’s thunderous ovation shifted from the singer to the writer, who was in attendance. It was clear that top-shelf songwriters are still superstars in this town.
You only get to live one time so let’s live it up tonight, McGraw sang during “Here Tonight,” a track from Damn Country Music. Both McGraw and the crowd seemed to sense the incomparable, history-making event this Ryman show would be, and live it up they did, as the crowd sang along to each word. Screaming, crunching guitars ushered in a performance of “Real Good Man,” as McGraw wrung out the sensuality in each lyric as he swaggered from one end of the stage to the other.
Though separately, Hill and McGraw have more than solidified their superstar status in Nashville, their onstage chemistry becomes enchanting when they share the stage.
As performers, they balanced each other during “Like We Never Loved at All,” with Hill standing tall and arching back as she powered through the song’s money notes, poised by McGraw hunching low to the Ryman stage’s wooden floorboards for much of the song, as his gravelly baritone provided a solid undercurrent.
They followed with Bob Seger’s “ We’ve Got Tonight,” which Kenny Rogers and Sheena Easton also covered in 1983. The powerful closing song brought the crowd to its feet once again, and they stayed there until the couple returned for a one-song encore.
Seated center stage, knee-to-knee and facing each other around a microphone, the McGraw and Hill seemed the only ones in the room as sang “I Need You” to one another, with Hill keeping rhythm with her right hand on McGraw’s leg.
The evening was a taste of the couple’s upcoming Soul2Soul 2017 tour, but judging by the Ryman show, it also proved that after 20 years together, this superstar couple has plenty of fire left in them, both musically and personally.
The Soul2Soul 2017 tour launches April 7 in New Orleans, and includes a Nashville date at Bridgestone Arena on Aug. 4.