Got a tip? Send it our way
Share your music news — big or small — with the Austin360.com team by sending us an e-mail.
Home > Austin Music Source > Archives > 2008 > May > 02 > Entry
Review: Kenny Chesney, LeAnn Rimes, Curtis Grimes at the Erwin Center
All the stories cropping up recently about how Willie Nelson bucked Nashville for Austin lead you to believe there’s a rift between the two country-music factories. Not so. At least not Thursday night for Nashville chart-topper Kenny Chesney’s high-octane show at the Frank Erwin Center. Of course, it helped that the fevered, camera-crazy audience was primed by two opening acts from Texas.
First up was Austin’s Curtis Grimes, a crooner with a rowdy streak who was the local winner of the Next Big Star competition, which awards small-time acts 15 minutes on the front end of each stop on Chesney’s Poets & Pirates tour. Next up was LeAnn Rimes, the songbird who calls Texas home even though she was born in Mississippi.
In much the same way you couldn’t wipe the smile off Grimes’ face, what with his family stage right and his buddies in the pit, there was no denying the glow of many a male in the crowd when Rimes, in a form-fitting short-skirt dress that left little to the imagination, appeared out of nowhere among the floor-seats patrons and allowed them to grasp at her at will while she belted out “Nothin’ Better to Do.” She peppered cuts from her latest album, “Family,” with oldies but goodies like “How Do I Live” and a cover of Cheap Trick’s “I Want You To Want Me,” which was made all the more rousing by Rimes’ offer of a drink backstage after the show to one lucky person who texted “RIMES” to 66937.
Rimes might have Chesney to thank for her promotional coup. The stage set-up for the man who is so attached to cowboy hats you’d think he has a Kojak dome underneath was bathed in corporate advertising. Brand names radiated prominently atop amps comprising a mini Wall of Sound. The tour’s beer sponsor’s logo was interwoven into the spectacular multimedia presentation on the colossal monitor. Shoot, Chesney even displayed the steel-toe boots comped him by a local retailer after a recent foot injury threatened to cancel the show (he didn’t need ‘em, though, because, as one of the emcees said, he had him some “goooood pills”).
When Chesney and his 11-piece band weren’t high-fiving and hugging each other, they were galloping through back-catalog keepers like “Live Those Songs” and “Beer in Mexico” and numbers from his latest album, “Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates,” like “Wild Ride,” with its wicked Peter Frampton guitar effect, and “Shiftwork,” the steeldrum-infused singalong with the clever “Working 7 to 3, 3 to 11, 11 to 7” refrain.
Whatever trace of country was inherent in Chesney’s music was eclipsed by a full-throttle, stadium-rock vibe. But that sort of crossover is likely the reason for his mass appeal. Plus, the pearly whites he flashed for all the swooning Texas betties didn’t hurt.
(Kenny Chesney performs Thursday night at the Frank Erwin Center. Photo by Kelly West/AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF)
Comments
Click here to report comment abuse.
By AG
May 2, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this
I thought Leann Rimes was horrible! Her dancing reminded me of “Elaine” on Seinfeld. She needs to stick to singing and forget the moves. Her form fitting dress was beautiful. But, honey even though you may have small breasts - you still need a bra!!!!
By Dena
May 2, 2008 9:33 PM | Link to this
What was wrong with the sound at the Erwin Center?? It sounded like there was a blown speaker. The base was so overpowering, I couldn’t hear Leann or Kenny’s lyrics. Very dissappointing sound.
They both gave amazing performances. I just wish the sound had been better.
By tracy
May 4, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this
I was really impressed with Kenny. I liked him “alright” when I went- but now I think he is just FANTASTIC! What a show… Leann- I must admit with the first poster- the girl needs a bra!
By 3.14159
May 9, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this
Curtis Grimes was amazing. His opening act was both energetic and poignant. The song of following your dreams and remembering your Mama was so touching. He showed signs of greatness when he joined Kenny for “She thinks my tractor’s sexy”. Hard to believe it was his first show before a major crowd.
Kenny’s multi-media show was outstanding. I agree with the other posters. Both Leann and Kenny’s words were very muffled. And yes Miss Riems attire and performance detracted from her gorgeous voice.