Alan Jackson Heads to Acadiana

The stadium was packed Friday night at the Cajun Dome as the legendary Alan Jackson made a stop in Lafayette, Louisiana.

The crowd, which stretched to the rafters, and the vocals from Jackson and his opening act, Lee Ann Womack, were impressive, but Jackson’s demeanor was laid back, and perhaps even knocking on reserved.

With 34 No. 1 songs under his belt, the hit maker has no need to impress his fans, but he made sure to thank the crowd throughout the evening for being loyal and showing their support through the years. Jackson took a cue from many artists showing his humility despite all his successes.

The evening opened up with the sultry tunes of Lee Ann Womack who swayed in a floral wrap around dress, which accentuated the feminine charm of her voice.

Womack warmed up the crowd with a few of her classics including, “I May Hate Myself in the Morning,” “The Way I’m Livin’,” and rounded out her set list with “I Hope You Dance,” which, halfway through, she asked the crowd to help her finish the lyrics.

Alan Jackson Heads to Acadiana

Jackson entered the stage after a short break, but not before a video montage of his albums throughout the years, starting in the 60’s, flashed on the screen.

As Jackson launched into his first song, “Gone Country,” the stage was set with his back up musicians, including four guitarists, a violinist and a grand piano player.

After the playful “I Don’t Even Know Her Name,” Jackson engaged the crowd for a bit by reading out some fan posters, and reminiscing on the times he’s played at the Cajundome throughout the years before launching into “Livin’ On Love,” while he danced around and high fived the crowd.

He encouraged the crowd to two-step in the aisles during “Summertime Blues,” and even called out a couple dancing in the stands.

Alan Jackson Heads to Acadiana Alan Jackson Heads to Acadiana

Though the tone turned a bit more serious during the next song, which featured a black and white screen, the mood quickly lightened back up a bit with a sort of acoustic riff off between Jackson and his band before launching into “Who’s Cheatin’ Who.”

During the show, Jackson took a moment to tell the story of his rise to stardom, which involved him moving to Nashville to try to make it in the music business and coming home to his pregnant wife with a flopped single.

At the time he thought he may have to go back to work, he explained, only to have his record label release the song and now he says he hasn’t had to go back to work since.

Alan Jackson Heads to AcadianaThat’s when he sang, “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow.”

Next up Jackson graced the crowd with Womack’s voice again when he brought her out to do a duet on the song they released together in 2010, “Til The End.”

After giving her a hug and watching her exit the stage, Jackson launched into “As She’s Walking Away.”

Jackson continued to work through some of his more popular songs before eventually making it to “5 O’Clock Somewhere,” and “Chatahoochee,” during which a video montage of many local businesses played, featuring everyone from Randol’s, to Deanos, to Grant Street and Cajun Field.

The crowd continued to play along with the theme of each passing song, doing everything from dancing with each other to passing up boots, clothes and posters to be signed during one of Jackson’s final songs.

In typical musician style, Jackson bid the crowd adieu only to return for the final song of the evening. Afterwards he ended the set with the same cool confidence he maintained throughout the night, offering just enough but never too much.

 


Upcoming Events

Photographer and filmmaker James Edmunds' will be displaying his most recent photographs in a new exhibit at the Shadows Visitor Center. Shadows at The Shadows: James Edmunds, Recent Photographs is a compilation of digital images, captured on an array of different cameras, including many with smart phone cameras.

Emphasis on light and shadow – and several images from The Shadows on the Teche.
Admission is free. Come to the Shadows Visitor Center at 320 E. Main Street to view the exhibit.

 

  1. Free Cajun and Zydeco Dance Lessons with Brandon Broussard, Tues., Nov. 8, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Lafayette

Don't miss out, bring a partner and wear comfortable clothes and leather soled shows.

 

Brittany Pfantz is coming home for a one night performance this Thursday.

Come out for food, drinks, fun and beautiful acoustic tunes from Brittany Pfantz, on the patio. 
No cover. 

 

Tina & Her Pony is on a cross country tour supporting their sophomore release “Champion.”
Indie Appalachian folk duo Tina & Her Pony was formed in 2009 in Asheville, North Carolina, by Tina Collins and Quetzal Jordan.

Nationally known for their tight, sweet, smooth vocal harmonies and simple, exposed, crafted instrumentation on cello, tenor ukulele, & guitar. Tina and Her Pony has a fresh, palatable, sound that is bewitching.

 

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