New York City never wore cowboy hats and denim so well until the Rascal Flatts rolled into town last Thursday.
Despite the high cost of the ticket in these uncertain economic times, Madison Square Garden was jam packed for the country trio, best known for their sweet Southern beats and their heartfelt ballads. Bassist and singer Jay DeMarcus even acknowledged the fans’ financial commitment to the band, referencing their ‘hard-earned dollars’ put toward a ticket. He turned part of his set into a comedy skit to lighten the mood.’
‘Times are so tough now, people are dating for gas,’ DeMarcus said.
The set-list drew from the ‘Still Feels Good’ album, spurring a lot of foot-stomping and singing with popular hits ‘Here’s To You,’ ‘Fast Cars and Freedom’ and ‘Love You Out Loud.’
The crowd was a mix of college students, 20-something couples, die-hard country supporters and mothers chaperoning their teenage daughters. Despite the long wait for beers and the bathroom, it did not stop anyone from dancing in line and waving their backlit cell phones to ‘Prayin’ for Daylight.” ‘
‘These Days’ was the perfect love song prelude to the upcoming Valentine’s Day weekend. A short excerpt from ‘Skin’ brought a hush to the crowd, but the Flatts got the fans dancing again as it segued into ‘Feels Like Today.’
A jumbo screen behind the stage played scenes like a waterfall and a sun rising to accompany the songs. The flashing neon lights illuminating the Flatts and its five-piece band wove under the stage as well, giving the illusion that DeMarcus and accompanying band members Gary LeVox and Jon Don Rooney were walking on glass.
Four small platforms branched off the half-moon main stage, allowing the band members to get closer to the audience. The band posed for pictures and waved at fans, bolstering its reputation for delivering one of the best live shows in country music.’ ‘
Jessica Simpson opened for the band, and, news flash: She is not fat.’ She rocked out to songs from her recently debuted ‘Do You Know?’ album, and rumor has it that her beau Tony Romo was backstage for support. She even performed ‘With You’ as a tribute to the fans who fondly remember her days as Mrs. Nick Lachey, the pop princess.’
Her new single ‘Pray Out Loud’ is a tribute to her childhood as the preacher’s daughter. She introduced ‘Remember That’ as an anthem for women in destructive relationships.’
‘This is for all you girls out there who have ever been in an abusive relationship just know that you can run so far away and fall in love all over again,’ she said.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘
Even though she stuck to her country roots and left us wanting the live version of ‘A Public Affair,’ Simpson strutted her stuff in silver heels and a short black dress.’
‘I think if you looked up ‘pretty’ in the dictionary, Jessica’s face would be there,’ said DeMarcus.’
The Rascal Flatts’ new album ‘Unstoppable’ is due out April 7.’ Its new single ‘Here Comes Goodbye’ is already a hit down South and will most certainly hit the Northeast with a force soon.’
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