As soon as Tracy Byrd’s band started on Friday (9/28) at Thirsty Cowboy, you knew you were in for a true country show. The group kicked off the night by performing “The Star Spangled Banner” …as a fiddle solo. Then Byrd took the stage and led the crowd through a 90+ minute set that was filled with songs from his over 25-year-career, along with some favorite cover tunes.
The 51-year-old singer was dressed appropriately for the night in boots, jeans, a pink western shirt and a black cowboy hat. His songs and lyrics got the crowd going, especially when the first few of the set include “Lifestyles of the Not So Rich and Famous,” “I’m From The Country” and one of his #1’s, “Ten Rounds with Jose Cuervo.”
Byrd and his six-piece band weaved there way through two dozen songs during the set, a few that were from artists that the Texan said he “grew up listening to” as a boy – “Lyin’ Eyes” and “Desperado” by the Eagles; and the Michael Martin Murphy signature song, “Wildfire.”
A lot of the other tunes were from his ten studio albums, and over thirty charting singles, including his latest independent release in 2016, All American Texan with “Don’t Call Me Momma” and “Before I Die.”
Seeing Byrd perform again was a real treat, especially if you are at an age that you remember when he first made his mark in country music with “Holdin’ Heaven” back in 1993. The song peaked at the top of the charts and was a definite sing along for those in attendance at his Thirsty Cowboy show, even though many of them probably weren’t even born when it was first released.
But of course the night wouldn’t be complete with a rousing rendition of “Watermelon Crawl,” a fan favorite and a song that’s almost a quarter of a century old.
A good song stands the test of time and Byrd’s show on Friday night was proof of that. Whether you were a long time fan or only knew one song, it didn’t matter. The night was made by good solid music and an artist that is true country to his core.
Set List
“Don’t Love Make a Diamond Shine”
“Lifestyles of the Not So Rich and Famous”
“Ten Rounds with Jose Cuervo”
“I’m From The Country”
“Hot Night in the Country”
“I Wanna Feel That Way Again”
“Big Love”
“Love Lessons
“First Step”
“Holdin’ Heaven”
“Big Truck”
“Lyin’ Eyes”
“Desperado”
“Don’t Call Me Momma”
“Before I Die”
“Just Let Me Be In Love”
“Wildfire”
“The Keeper of the Stars”
“Drinkin’ Bone”
“Don’t Take Her She’s All I Got”
“Watermelon Crawl”
Tracy Byrd at Thirsty Cowboy (9.28.18) – Photos by Charlie Kriak
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