If there was any doubt as to why Garth Brooks was named the 2016 CMA Entertainer of the Year, it was squashed during his Saturday night performance at the Cajundome.
From receiving flowers brought to him by a five-year-old fan on stage, to acknowledging crowd messages written on signs, to conceding to sing the third verse in “Friends in Low Places,” Brooks was in full form, and working every angle of the stage.
Early in the show, Brooks got the crowd invested, by getting them to sing along to songs like “Two Pina Coladas,” and light up the stadium with their cell phones.
For anyone not drawn in by Brook’s music, the elaborate stage, including a cast of back-up singers and musicians, a huge LED screen playing videos to accompany his songs and the spinning globe structure surrounding his drummer were enough to keep people’s eyes on the stage at the very least.
The choice of back up instruments and vocals worked well for Brooks as violins rushed to accompany him on multiple songs, and vocalists helped to engage all sides of the crowd by singing to them and dancing along to the music.
Brooks was a ball of energy as he jumped around the stage, played back to back with several musicians and even went behind the keyboard to play his guitar alongside piano player Steve Cox.
Brooks appreciates the dynamics offered by his crew and took the time to acknowledge each member individually, some of whom have been touring with him since the early 90’s.
About halfway through the performance, Brooks’ better half rose out from the bottom of the stage to sing a duet to “In Another’s Eye’s.”
Wife, Trisha Yearwood added to Brooks engaging style by reminding the crowd that as rowdy as he can be, when all is said and done he comes home to a good woman, who helps keep him grounded.
Yearwood kept her look classy with a little sass as she sported a sparkly white jacket, a brown top with jeans and a bedazzled microphone.
After the duet, Yearwood performed some of her classic songs, including “XXX’s and OOO’s,” “The Wrong Side of Memphis,” and got the crowd to hit the high notes with her during “How Do I Live.”
Yearwood kept the girl power vibe of her set going by calling back up vocalist and senior Nashville song writer, Karyn Rochelle back to the stage.
Before Brooks began his set for the evening, Rochelle played a few songs on acoustic guitar after Mitch Rossell kicked the night off with a few of his own songs.
Later, Yearwood played on the romantic vibe sparked by her and her husband’s duet by turning a kiss cam on the crowd while singing, “She’s in Love With the Boy.”
Brooks made his way back onto the stage after using Yearwood’s set for a well-deserved break.
He sent her off with a kiss and picked back up with the crowd for the second half of the show.
For the second half, Brooks sang songs like, “Shameless,” “Calling Baton Rouge,” and “Friends in Low Places,” and offered no shortage of antics.
After finding out he could get the crowd to cheer at the point of a finger, a hilarious pointing frenzy ensued to see which side of the stadium could show the most enthusiasm.
Brooks continued to show his entertainment chops until the end of night and gave the crowd one last encore before bidding them a due.
If you’re itching to see Brooks perform before he leaves the area, you can catch him at the Cajundome this Friday at 7 p.m., and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., for his last two shows in Lafayette.
Tickets are $74.98 and can be purchased at cajundome.com.
Upcoming Events
- Downtown Baton Rouge Arts Market , Sat., July 1, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., Baton Rouge
The Baton Rouge Arts Market is an open-air market held on the first Saturday of each month (excluding January and April) in conjunction with the weekly Red Stick Farmer’s Market, located at 5th and Main Street from 8 AM- 12 PM.
The Arts Market provides entrepreneurial opportunities to local artists, while fostering creative community relationships by allowing artists to sell directly to the public.
Stroll through our Baton Rouge Arts Market and find a variety of hand-made arts including: pottery, jewelry, hand-made soaps, mixed media, wood carvings, mosaics, hand-woven baskets, photography, and more.
- The Street Corner, Fri., June 30, 9 p.m., Lafayette
Come out to Bisbano’s to hear hip hop collaborative thestreetcorner.
The New Natives Brass Band will be kicking off this event with their bangin' tunes and blazing grooves. Styles of the night include New Orleans Jazz and Alternative Hip-Hop.
No cover charge for the event.
- Uncle Sam’s Jam, Mon., July 3, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Lafayette
There will be a free Fourth of July celebration at Parc International in Downtown Lafayette.
Scheduled performers include, Geno Delafose & The French Rockin’ Boogie and the Three37 Band.
Food, non-alcoholic and adult beverages will be available for purchase, and facepainting and other kid-friendly activities will be offered.
The night will end with a massive firework display.
- Sugar Mill Pond Independence Celebration, Mon., July 3, 5:30 p.m. to 9:15 p.m., Youngsville
Free Admission and activities will be offered during this event.
Free Activities Include kayak demonstrations, live music by Zydeco Radio, remote control boat demos, a stilt walker, face painting and pony rides.
Parking is free and trolley rides are offered for transportation to the event.
Food and Beverages will be available for purchase.
The night will end with a fireworks display.
