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Reba McEntire/Brooks
& Dunn
The Ice Palace often resounds to the sounds of bodies hitting boards as the NHL's Lightning make their home here. However, tonight the sounds were sweeter, and the sights certainly better looking, as the hottest tour on the Country circuit hit town. Fresh on the heels of their latest albums and their chart climbing hit single, "If You See Him/If You See Her," Reba McEntire, Ronnie Dunn and Kix Brooks were joined by Terri Clark and David Kersh in an evening hot enough to melt the ice that normally fills the rink. Opening for big names can be an ego shattering experience, since fans are often unresponsive, or sometimes even rude, impatient to hear the headliners. The sets are usually shorter, and the opening acts only have a short time to make an impression on the crowd. Neither "David Kersh" or "Terri Clark" were intimidated though, and took full advantage of their time to win over the fans. David, in his black regalia and blond good looks, certainly had no problem turning the ladies heads, while his music turned their and my ears. He also took the time to come offstage and sing directly to the fans. How can anyone resist when a blond hunk stops right in front of you and sings a love ballad right to you? I'm sure a couple of ladies went home with extra special memories of the evening. David delivered some good country rock, but also proved he has a voice that is well suited for the ballads he sang. Terri Clark, fresh from the news that her latest single, "Now That I Found You," was atop the country charts, simply enjoyed herself out there, and the crowd cottoned to her girl next door attitude. She mugged for the audience and video crew, as she sang songs from her latest album, "How I Feel," (see review in June issue) including "Easy on The Eyes" and "Cure For The Common Heartache," running from side to side of the large stage to give everyone a chance to get up close and personal. My only complaint was that she diminished the power of a couple of her more serious songs in order to smile and wave to the fans. With time I'm sure she'll learn when to better establish a mood. She did stop and sit on a stool to deliver her single and it got a great reception from the crowd. Terri has rounded out into a singer who can deliver both emotional ballads and upbeat lighthearted songs with equal ease.
It isn't often that an opening act is the country's top charter and next time around I won't be surprised to see Terri headlining. In fact Terri and David could have provided a fine evening by themselves in a smaller venue. Reba McEntire and Brooks and Dunn have been taking turns opening for each other so we were all waiting to see who was next. Tonight it would be Ronnie and Kix, as they opened with "Honky Tonk Truth," beginning a long and varied set that included many of their fans' favorites, and several cuts off their latest album including "How Long Gone," and, in a quieter moment, "Husbands and Wives." My only disappointment was that the evocative ballad "South Of Santa Fe" didn't make it onto the set list. But "My Maria" did, and Ronnie proved he could reach even the uppermost seats in the Ice Palace with a power that seemed almost effortless. It may be the beard, but at times it is hard to see if Ronnie is feeling the emotion that pours out in his songs, while Kix's expressions can run the gamut in a matter of moments. Even when Ronnie was throwing drumsticks to the crowd, and making slick catches of each one thrown to him from back stage, he never missed a beat (even though he did miss a few drumsticks). The honkytonk, boot-scootin' crowd got it's wish as two giant inflatable boots danced on stage during "Boot-Scootin' Boogie," and later, four giant inflatable women were their accompaniment for "Little Miss Honky Tonk."
Ronnie and Kix spent a lot of time at opposite ends of the stage, crossing back and forth to play to the people on each side, but did get together to deliver some of their ballads, while sitting with legs dangling off the stage, after a little storytelling time. Kix ribbed Ronnie about his home-building while delivering a little self-deprecating routine about stopping off for a few and getting home a "bit" late as a song lead-in. "Neon Moon" was a crowd pleaser, but then again everything was. Brooks and Dunn were on top of their game this night, the fans got more than their money's worth, and Reba was yet to come. Reba. Is there a more consummate showperson? One who delivers the music with emotion directly to each and every fan as if the show were just for them? I doubt it. From the opening medley of ballads in a simple pale blue dress and boots she appeared winsome and sweet. The first costume change then gave us the elegant Reba, in a blue sequined eveing gown as she delivered my personal favorite, "Fancy," with the full fury of her personality. Another costume change and mood change as she talked about her father, and then sang "The Greatest Man I Never Knew," a song I identify with, my father having been much the same kind of man. Two large video screens projected scenes of Tampa as Reba sang another emotional favorite, "Is There Life Out There?" Although she didn't perform the new duet with Linda Davis, they did do the original hit "Does He Love Her?" with a little competition going on for the crowd's sympathy, and Linda more than held her own.
Reba closed her set with some of her best upbeat numbers, and was joined by a choir of young singers as she sang her own version of "R-E-S-P-E-C-T," "Take It Back," and "Tell Me Why." She is woman, hear her roar! The evening ended with the song everyone had been waiting for, the duet with Ronnie Dunn. Kix Brooks was center stage playing a grand piano as Ronnie and Reba appeared at opposite sides of the stage to sing "If You See Him/If You See Her." In matching white sportjackets they did a terrific job of singing past each other rather than to each other which makes this song especially effective. All I can say after a show like this is - if you see them, you'll still love them. |
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