by Curtis D. Tucker
Posted: 09/26/15
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It was another great night of country music in Enid, Oklahoma. The evening began with a free outdoor, parking lot party. The free event featured Stillwater country artist, Miles Williams. Williams is #13 on the Texas country music charts and has had 4 songs on the top 50.
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The one thing you'll notice about many of the new up and coming country male artists is that they have gone to the trucker style ball caps and Williams was no different. He played a great set to small crowd as they started filtering into the area. (Miles Williams photos below)
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The opening acts even had an opening act! Rick Monroe opened the show. Monroe, whose current single “Great Minds Drink Alike” is rising both the Billboard Indicator and Music Row radio charts, acts as the Jägermeister brand ambassador and emcee for the show. (Rick Monroe photo below)
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The first band to play was led by Brian Milson. Milson’s “Nothing Grows In Shadows,” has established him as a singer to be reckoned with. The popular song makes a powerful and compelling statement about a genuine societal plague–bullying. Milson was a good opening act and the only singer to wear a cowboy hat. (Brian Milson photos below)
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Next in the line-up and a crowd favorite was Granger Smith. Smith and his band lit the stage on fire with a mix of new country and some rock'n roll. Smith had the most fun on stage and had many memorable moments.
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At one point Smith downed a drink and had the crowd in a frenzy. He continuously threw and handed guitar picks to many members of the audience. The highlight of the evening was when Smith grabbed a rolled up sign from the crowd and talked about Enid's loss of hometown hero, Spc. Haden Bean. Bean's family was at the concert.
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Smith thanked the military for their bravery and their service. He asked if the crowd was ready for a patriotic song and after a very loud affirmation, his lead guitar player whipped out "The Star-Spangled Banner." Jimmy Hendrix would have been proud to have heard his version of the song played on a green Fender Telecaster signed by Merl Haggard.
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Smith, is a country music singer and songwriter from Texas, and really knew how to play to the crowd. If you like rock and red dirt mixed with your country, you most likely left a Granger Smith fan. (Granger Smith photos below)
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At the end of Smith's set he ran off the stage but soon returned as Earl Dibbles Jr. in overalls waving a large American flag. Earl Dibbles Jr., the popular alter ego of Smith, is most famous for his songs “The Country Boy Song” and “Country Boy Love”. He had the crowd yelling “Dibble’isms like “YEE YEE,” “Crack a Cold One” and “Put a Good Dip in." (Earl Dibbles Jr. photo below)
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Transitions between acts was very quick and it wasn't long before the main act hit the stage. Brice went non-stop from start to finish. He had the crowd clapping and singing and interacted throughout the entire show. Brice had a great mix of his hit country tunes like "Parking Lot Party". He also slowed the pace with some ballads and even threw some Pop music into the mix.
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Brice's debut album, Love Like Crazy, was released in 2009. The title track reached #3 on the Billboard Country chart and set a record as the longest-charting song in that chart’s history. In 2012, he topped his own success with Hard 2 Love, an album that went Gold and featured three #1 Country singles, including “I Drive Your Truck,” which won Song of the Year at both the CMA and ACM Awards. (Lee Brice photos below)
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Another great show by the Enid Event Center crew. Although not a complete sell out the venue was full and had a great crowd on hand. Many of the country fans took the opportunity to dance in the aisles. The Pit was packed with enthusiastic country fans that showed great respect to all of the acts. All in all it was a country music fans perfect evening. (Audience photos below)
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