Country Music is the fastest
growing genre in the UK, with many people loving the sound without admitting to
being a country fan. 30 years of DJing
at weddings and events has taught us that any crowd will go wild for 9 to 5 or
Country Roads. The UK audience is keen
to hear the Nashville classics – Dolly Parton, Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash, John
Denver as well as the 90s big hits – Shania Twain, Billy Ray Cyrus, Garth
Brooks and the current crop of Luke Combs, Maren Morris, Chris Stapleton. While its hard to see these artists live
outside expensive stadium gigs in the UK – unlike in the US – there is a
growing market for tribute shows that aim to transport you to the Broadway bars
of Nashville. These shows can be found
in bars as well as theatres with an audience that spans from hardcore country
fans to pink hatted hen parties. The age
range is just as wide, with younger guests word perfect on songs from decades
before they were born, such is the appeal of Country Music. These touring shows include A Country Night
In Nashville, Nashville Bad Boys Of Country, Honky Tonk Roadshow and possibly the
original – One Night In Nashville. People
will never fail to love a good night out with songs they can sing along to, a
bit of dancing or sat least foot stomping and clapping – ideally with a beer in
hand.
Last Friday, dressed in our
boots, belts and bling we headed to Birmingham’s Bierkeller for one of these
shows.
One Night In Nashville sets
out to “replicate the experience of being in a Honkytonk in Nashville Tennessee”
Maria and the band have certainly achieved this with the added bonus of their
chosen venue, Bierkeller, which permits the dancing on tables and benches to
really get the party going (not seen that in a Honkytonk!)
Whether you are a regular
follower or stumble across the night by chance you’ll know you’re in the right
place as its one of the biggest collections of hats shirts and boots seen
outside of C2C. Maria herself didn’t let
the side down with awesome silver boots tied in with her outfit.
Right from the off we were straight
in with the classics, only Maria’s showmanship and powerful voice can do
justice to the range covered getting away with jumping between everyone’s
favourite Dolly song Jolene right back to the classic Tammy Wynette Stand by Your
Man and up to date with Maren Morris, Luke Combs. Audience participation did not fall as One
Night In Nashville is timeless and appeals across the ages.
The show is scripted to
ensure that the audience are having a good time, there wasn’t a drop in energy,
even when the audience were treated to one of Maria’s own song. Maria Jordan - check her out on YouTube and
other socials.
Maria couldn’t give such a
high energy show alone, she’s accompanied by her band including Dave Heyes, an
incredible drummer who happens to be Maria’s husband and Sam Heyes on bass.
The 90 minute show comes to
end far too quickly with the crowd left screaming for an encore. In Birmingham we were treated to not one but
two songs and a promise that they will be back – before the country disco
kicked in to round off the night.
If you’d like to experience
One Night In Nashville make sure you buy your tickets soon, as shows are already
selling out!
