LORAIN COUNTY FAIR: Gill buddies up to crowd with acoustic set
The Chronicle-Telegram Staff
Perfect weather meant a perfect evening for country music legend Vince Gill’s 90-minute-plus Lorain County Fair performance Monday night at the packed Lorain County Fair grandstand.
“Hey everybody, I’m your opening act,” said Gill, who moments before had walked onto the stage to overwhelming applause.
“Let’s play them some music, boys.”
The 51-year-old Nashville resident kicked off the evening with an acoustic-minded “Don’t Let Our Love Start Slippin’ Away,” which showcased Mr. Amy Grant’s talents of keen country pop songwriting and smooth vocals. Despite the fact the sound system wasn’t the best, Gill’s easygoing personality and everyman delivery made it just fine.
Talk about a great show for Gill fans. It had no set list, making it more of an unplugged affair with Gill — who remained seated during his show due to impending knee surgery — playing a career retrospective.
Plus, the affable singer’s demeanor makes him so darn appealing. In a world of ego-dominated celebrities and untouchable stars, Gill comes across like a good neighbor, decent brother-in-law or even best friend.
Early on, his set featured “Pretty Little Adriana” and “Tryin’ To Get Over You” before he dedicated a song to all of the Lorain County cowgirls. Gill then delivered a memorable version of “What the Cowgirls Do.” While the bluesy number showcased Gill’s guitar prowess, his band’s pianist dangled playful keys over the tight rhythm section for a fun, beer-joint kind of track.
With requests flying at the singer-guitarist throughout the night, the results were often entertaining. After one gregarious fan suggested “Let Me Love You Tonight,” which dates back to Gill’s erstwhile band Pure Prairie League, the performer willingly obliged.
“I did this on American Bandstand,” Gill said, laughing. “I might be the only hillbilly in country music that did American Bandstand. Let’s see. Talk about stump the band.”
He quickly dove into the tender song to the delight of the audience, which seemed to sense it was seeing something unique. Speaking to his appeal, Gill has Music City roots but approaches his music with a decidedly pop-rock approach.
“Basically I’ve just been a fan of his for about five years,” said fairgoer and Elyria resident Ed Farley. “I was always into rock ’n’ roll, so I’m a little late getting into country. But Gill doesn’t have a lot twang to his music, so I’m enjoying it.”
Gill’s set included his first solo Top 40 song, the upbeat “Victim of Life’s Circumstances,” the sorrowful “When I Call Your Name” and two unreleased new tracks, “The Lucky Diamond Motel” and “Forever Changed.”
There was also the Amy Grant-inspired “Whenever You Come Around,” which went from sentimental to funny in a moment’s notice when Gill — midsong, mind you — said, “Imagine if Willie Nelson had recorded this.” Then he played a few wobbly guitar chords, in the vein of the legendary country outlaw. The audience loved it.
As the sun was setting and dusk faded into night, Gill left the stage to a thunderous applause. It was at that moment you couldn’t help thinking about his earlier declaration, “There is nothing more fun than a county fair.”
Yeah, he’s right.
Contact John Benson at 329-7144 or encore@chroniclet.com.
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Filed by The Chronicle-Telegram Staff August 19th, 2008 in Top Stories. Popularity: 8% |
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