BRIAN KELLEY

'Tennessee Truth' Release Party

Friday May 10, 2024

@ Barstool Nashville in Nashville, TN

(Review Written By: Jeffrey Kurtis)

Tucked just a stone throw away from the neon lights of Broadway, Barstool Nashville (123 2^nd Ave S) has become one of the hottest downtown places to be, and it certainly was this past Friday night when Diamond-selling artist Brian Kelley brought to its stage an enthusiastic celebration of his brand-new album, Tennessee Truth.

In front of a naturally hyped, Friday night party crowd, swirled in the additional excitement of this being the very day that the album had officially dropped, Kelley delivered a performance that encompassed the essence of his now chapter by drifting a laid-back atmosphere through an addictively feel-good aura with a highlighter strike on genuinely loving life.

Playing bartender prior to the show, he poured shots of “Tennessee Truth” for everyone in attendance and toasted a rousing “cheer” of appreciation while taking time to pose for photos, meet his fans, and set in motion the overall aura for the impending party.

As a pop of confetti scattered from floor to the second level he hit the stage with “Acres,” immediately introducing the new album with its opening track as the packed in crowd swayed along with the glide of the insatiable rhythm and the overall tone of the night instantly took shape.

“We’re gonna play this new album top to bottom,” Kelley excitedly exclaimed with a big smile on his face as he pulled the crowd to the muddy backroads with “How We’re Livin’,” leaning into its gritty bounce as blasts of smoke pumped the atmosphere in correlation with the popping of drums as the crowd serenaded him in perfect harmony throughout the chorus.

Proceeding through the 12-song album, a clear labor of love that flowed the perfect combinations of everything that Brian Kelley is into one cohesive body of work, the superstar continually struck the right chords through each dynamic that album presented.

Wearing his beach cowboy persona through songs such as the softer paced “10 O’Clock On The Dock,” “Goin’ Places,” and his recent solo hit, “See You Next Summer,” the crowd mesmerized a float on the breeze escape that transported them oceanside as they chilled the vibe of the songs with a drink held high in the air as they summer swayed along.

But with a turn to his backwoods roots, a heartfelt love of his wife, and living the country lifestyle to its fullest, he embedded the full spectrum of who he is into the mix of flavors that the new album presents with previously released fan favorites, “Trucks, Ducks, Bucks & Beer” and “Dirt Road Date Night.”

Showering awestricken gratefulness on his wife Britney, “You’re my rock, my life, and I can’t imagine my life without you” he praised before igniting a memory-making, sing along moment when he opened the photo album of their life together with the breakout sensation, “Dirt Cheap.”

Where “Barefoot Or Boots” sticks the perfect centerpiece to the album in that it expertly bridges the gap between the both sides of who he is, the bold exclamation point punches ignition through the final track, “Kiss My Boots,” which saw the crowd enthusiastically join him on what is essentially a “Tennessee Truth” laden diss track; “I'm crankin' Hank, drinkin' Jack, airin' out the past…”

Glowing in the satisfaction that these 12 songs are now out in the world, there was a noticeable admiration radiating across the venue as Kelley breathed it out while everyone now held a firm understanding that this album is more than just a collection of songs but is the very definition of who he is and where he’s at in life today.

Instigated by the excitement permeating the night, although he had just finished playing the new album in its entirety, Brian Kelley then journeyed his fans on an additional 6-song run through the beachside foundations of his solo career, a display of his influences, and a showcase of his songwriting prowess.

Pulling from his debut solo effort, Sunshine State of Mind, he held the crowd in the palm of his hand with ”Beach Cowboy,” “Made By The Water,” and “Boat Names” via request from a front-row fan, while covers of Alan Jackson’s “Chattahoochie” and Jimmy Buffett’s “Margaritaville” each radiated rousing sing-alongs and raised a toast to the icons who paved the way for him to be standing there today.

“I came to this town to be a songwriter and I’ve never stopped writing songs,” Kelley glowed as he a placed hand to heart and closed his eyes in a full visual embrace of the distinction that Nashville is a town built on its songwriters, closing his set with his co-written Jason Aldean #1, “Burnin’ It Down.”

As the leader of the party throughout the night, Brian Kelley paused several times between songs to check in with everyone and make sure they were having a good time, that they were feeling good, and that their drinks were always full.

And although the good time vibes of the music certainly held its own through several spotlight shining moments as his next chapter burst wide open, at the center of the night was a perfect picture of endearing gratitude.

With several thank you’s throw toward the venue, his industry team, the songwriters on the album, his backing band, and the fans…the fans…and the fans, Brian Kelley expertly brought together everyone as one big family while he humbly tipped his white cowboy hat to a sea of cheers as the final notes played.

FULL SET LIST

1) Acres

2) How We’re Living

3) King Ranch

4) Trucks, Ducks, Bucks & Beer

5) Goin’ Places

6) Barefoot Or Boots

7) Dirt Road Date Night

8) 10 O’Clock On The Dock

9) See You Next Summer

10) Doin’ Nothin’

11) Dirt Cheap

12) Kiss My Boots

13) Beach Cowboy

14) Chattahoochie (Alan Jackson cover)

15) Margaritaville (Jimmy Buffett cover)

16) Made By The Water

17) Boat Names

18) Burnin’ It Down (Jason Aldean cover)  

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