Country star plays Golden Nugget
Tracy Lawrence entertained a rowdy NFR crowd at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas on Tues (Dec 6th) night. The 90s country star played a 19 song set that included hits and covers.
Lawrence kicked the night off with the patriotic “Made in America” before playing some of his most recognizable songs. “Find Out Who Your Friends Are,” “Texas Tornado,” If The World Had A Front Porch” and others were heard as the crowd sang and danced.
“Thank you for appreciating traditional country music. That’s what we do!” he said receiving a raucous applause.
During his 90 minute set, the country crooner also paid tribute to some of his friends who were lost over the past two years, performing a medley of hits by Kenny Rogers, Charley Pride, Joe Diffie and Charlie Daniels.
The loudest cheers of the night were awarded during “Devil Went Down to Georgia.” Members of the crowd hollered and square danced as the band raged on as if Daniels’ was rocking the fiddle on stage. The boisterous performance earned the band a well earned standing ovation.
Lawrence also covered Jamie Johnson’s “In Color” which he said is “the greatest song written in the past 10-20 years.”
The night ended with the poignant “Paint Me A Birmingham” to which Lawrence quipped, “That’s what you’re waiting for, isn’t it?” The song had couples dancing in the aisles and others singing along.
The playful Lawrence also posed for pictures with fans who graced the front of the stage for selfies at the end of the night. He shook hands and thanked everyone for packing the small theater.
It’s interesting that 90s country is often referred to as more traditional compared to its contemporary counterpart. Lawrence was among the new wave of artists who brought rock elements to the genre and made country music a juggernaut in the last century, despite pushback among the “traditionalists.” That neo-traditional sound has made a comeback in recent years and Lawrence is a proud member of that club.