So, who guessed a complete lap around the pavilion during the SECOND song? Oh, stop – you did not.
Country superstar Sam Hunt decided to turn Pine Knob into a real house party when during his hit song, “House Party,” he decided the huge stage wasn’t big enough, grabbed his microphone and high-fived himself around the sold-out music venue on Thursday night in Clarkston.
“If you’re gonna be a homebody – We’re gonna have a house party.”
Scouting reports indicate that Hunt was a good enough football player to consider playing professionally – fortunately, for music fans he “passed” on the NFL and pursued music. And what a kick off to his career – the Georgia native broke several chart records with five singles off his solo debut album Montevallo. Since then, it’s been game on for the country music hit maker.
Hunt, who clearly looks like a professional athlete on stage, brought his 2023 Summer on the Outskirts Tour to a hot Pine Knob this week and his performance not only raised the temperature even more, but elevated his status as one of country music’s rising superstars.
He not only had the folks in the pit in the palm of his hands but the back row on the lawn were on their feet and dancing and cheering and smiling from the opening note to the final chord. Pine Knob sells lawn chairs for those sitting out on the grassy knoll but no one needed – or wanted – a chair for Mr. Hunt. You can’t dance to a house party sitting down!
Hunt opened with a blistering three pack – “Raised on It,” “House Party,” and “Kinfolks” and it was clear early on this was going to be a special evening. He tossed in a little John Denver during “Start Nowhere” and a brilliant acoustic version of “Take Your Time” – which was followed by a Keith Urban cover, “Cop Car.” And Hunt left the crowd wanting more, ending the evening with his new mega hit, “Body Like a Back Road.”
Hunt’s music can’t be defined by a single genre. His songs vary in style from country to pop to R&B and it’s a refreshing sound and proving to be very popular with fans and critics. He has won an American Music Award and CMT Music Award – and more importantly, a huge following of loyal fans. Many in the Pine Knob venue knew every word to every song and weren’t afraid to sing along.
Hunt is the first country artist in 22 years, since Billy Ray Cyrus, to reach the top of three country charts simultaneously and is also the first country artist since Clint Black to occupy both year-end number one album and single with Montevallo and “Take Your Time.”
The fifth single “Make You Miss Me” from the album Montevallo hit No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart, making Hunt the first solo male artist to land four number ones on the Country Airplay chart from a debut studio album.
Speaking of rising stars, Brett Young (above) and Lily Rose opened the festivities with strong sets. It’s very difficult in these big shows for opening performers to get the attention of the crowd, many of whom are more interested in getting a beer or finding their seats than paying attention to what’s happening on stage. But both Young and Rose certainly “rose’ to the occasion, and for those in the beer line – you missed two major talents.
Like Hunt, Young also was a great athlete during his younger days but an elbow injury elbowed him off of the pitcher’s mound and into music – where he has been a hit since fans heard his first single “Sleep Without You” in 2016. He released his second major label album “Ticket to L.A.” in 2018, and the third, “Weekends Look a Little Different These Days,” in 2021.
If you haven’t heard of Young, start at the beginning with “Sleep Without You” or check out the acoustic version of “Weekends Look a Little Different These Days” on YouTube HERE
It’s been a big year for Rose, who in March married longtime girlfriend Daria Eamon. And it’s clear she has a major following out on the road. Rose did a little meet and greet after Young’s set and the line wound up and around the Pine Knob concourse. And she was beaming the whole time.
The Atlanta native continues to impress on the stage and in the studio following her release of “Villain,” which debuted in the No. 1 spot on the iTunes all-genre and country charts. She brings a little energy, a little rawness and certainly her own voice and creativity to the country music scene.
If you don’t know about Rose, check out “Whatcha Know About That” on I-Tunes. Enjoy.
For other Pine Knob events, click HERE
ALL PHOTOS BY TERRY JACOBY
PHOTO GALLERIES
Sam Hunt click HERE
Brett Young click HERE
Lily Rose click HERE
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