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"Take
Me Out To The Bash: Song by Song"
By Chris Macon
 If
Los Angeles had a Fan Fair (oops, I mean a "CMA Music
Festival") of it’s own, I’m sure it would look something like KZLA’s
annual Country Bash. A product of the station’s ever progressive
musical mind, this year’s Bash featured Kid Rock, Uncle Kracker and
Bret Michaels of Poison, alongside Lee Ann Womack, Chris Cagle, SHeDAISY,
Josh Gracin, Julie Roberts, The Jenkins, Shiloh, Rascal Flatts and guest
host, Reba McEntire.
Rather
than analyze each artist (which would take just about forever), I
thought I’d count down the top ten performances of the evening:
10.
Julie Roberts "No Way
Out"
Though
the sound mix didn’t seem to be the greatest, Julie turned out a
solid performance of probably the best up-tempo track off her
self-titled, debut album. Also included in her set was current
single, "The Chance," top-25 hit "Break Down
Here" and my favorite song of hers, "Wake Up Older."
9.
Bret Michaels "All I Ever
Needed"
Dude,
Bret Michaels was awesome. Who would’a thought that he’d be as
good country as he was rock? "All I Ever Needed" is a
stone-cold country love song that I know you’ll dig if you give it
a chance. "We didn’t
need fortune / Didn’t need fame / Just a little shelter from the
rain..."
8.
Lee Ann Womack "I’ll Think
Of A Reason Later"
Attitude,
attitude, attitude. "I’ll Think Of A Reason Later" has
always been one of my favorite Lee Ann Womack songs (alongside
"Something Worth Leaving Behind" and "I Hope You
Dance"), so I was pretty happy when she didn’t disappoint
with her live rendition of the "you took my man, so screw
you!" ditty.
7.
Chris Cagle "I Breathe In, I
Breathe Out"
A
great song, a great performance, and a quiet, quiet audience.
"I Breathe In, I Breathe Out" is no less powerful now,
then it was when it was released to radio a few years back. Who can’t
relate to it?
6.
SHeDAISY "Come Home
Soon"
Okay,
so I’ve officially seen them four or five times now, and this was
easily the best take on "Come Home Soon" that I’ve seen.
The girls rock and this song will break your heart. Also of note
from their set was an outstanding version of "Lucky 4 You
(Tonight I’m Just Me)." Sadly missing was concert-favorite
"Get Over Yourself."
5.
Kid Rock "Rock & Roll
Paintrain"
Kid
was sick, but that didn’t stop him from turning out an energetic,
driving set of newfound classics. This track, off his current
self-titled disc, is about as hard rock as it gets. Everyone was off
of their feet, movin’ and rockin’ out, that’s for sure. I
still really want to hear him do "Feel Like Making Love,"
live, but "Rock & Roll Paintrain" just might be too
hard to top.
4.
The Jenkins "He Feels Like
Home"
That’s
a really romantic metaphor don’t you think? The Jenkin’s aren’t
terribly wonderful on stage. Kinda shy, kinda forced, but I tell you
what, they can sing more than just worth a darn. "He Feels Like
Home" and "Getaway Car" were the clear highlights of
their set.
3.
Bret Michaels "Every Rose Has
It’s Thorn"
Oh,
another Bret Michaels song. Music has no boundaries, that’s all I’ll
say. A great song, is a great song, is a great song.
2.
Lee Ann Womack "20 Years
& 2 Husbands Ago"
"20
Years..." is one of the two new tracks Lee Ann previewed for us
off of her upcoming album "There’s More Where That Came
From." The other "I’ll Hate Myself In The Morning (But I’m
Going To Love You Tonight)" was good, but this one was great.
As an aside, what’s with the super-long song titles, Lee Ann?! The
new album should be a treat.
1.
Uncle Kracker "Writing It
Down"
So
much emotion and so much charisma. Uncle Kracker’s vibe is the
future of country music. And this song, this song is wonderful.
Special
thanks to KZLA for bringing this caliber of talent to Southern
California each year. I said it a couple of lines ago, but just in case
you forgot, this year’s Bash helped prove one thing – music has
no boundaries.
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