MICHAEL RAY

Tuesday July 23, 2024

@ 6th & Peabody in Nashville, TN

(Review Written By: Jeffrey Kurtis)

Just South of the Music City Center, a stone’s throw away from the neon lights of Nashville’s Lower Broadway, the 6^th & Peabody entertainment hub encompasses a perfect balance of tourists and locals who ascend on Ole Smoky Moonshine, Yee-Haw Brewing, and White Duck Taco Shop; all which are housed under this one roof.

It’s outdoor “beer garden” is a haven for the young spirited with its astroturf lawn scape, scattered picnic tables, rousing games of human sized beer pong, and on this overcast and drizzly night, a Nashville Underplay concert presented by The Smoking Section Podcast in correlation with 103.3 Country and Coolray of Tennessee that was headlined by country music superstar Michael Ray.

With DJ JD delivering energetic life into the pre-show atmosphere while spinning hot mixes of country music favorites between opening performances by rising talents Landon Parker, Julia Cole, and Tayler Holder, Michael Ray’s exuberant fans were more than amped when he hit the stage and instantly sparked the crowd into an all-out dance party as arms littered the air, bouncing in rhythm with hips popping as everyone screamed along with “Kiss You in the Morning.”

Balancing then his hour long set between his biggest hits, recent catalog of songs, and two cover medley’s that transported the crowd to a similar atmosphere of that a mile down the road, Michael Ray enticed with unbridled energy, sing-along moments, and a performance that showcased the all-around facets of who he is as a songwriter, artist, and performer.

Dragging the muddy riverbanks with “Holy Water” and his edgy cover of Tyler Childers’ “Whitehouse Road,” highlighting his songwriting chops through Big & Rich’s “Run Away With You” and Jason Aldean’s “Small Town Small,” and showcasing a honky-tonk attitude on “Workin’ On It” and “Drink With Our Friends,” every flash of his differing sonic styles melded cohesively in a perfect definition of Michael Ray.

The biggest hits provided the natural highlights and snapshot moments as everyone, even the casual fans on hand, raised their voices in perfect harmony for “One That Got Away,” “Think a Little Less,” and his set closer, “Whiskey and Rain.”

However, while he didn’t do too much talking between songs throughout the night, his pause ahead of playing “Hold” at the halfway point of his set provided the long-lasting impression within his ability to encourage the idea of living life in the moment.

“When things get going, it gets crazy. Life goes by so fast,” he humbly said after offering a heartfelt thank you to his entire team and those who had put on the show; all of whom were on hand.

“We're all guilty of holding onto things that we don't need to hold on to; the things that weigh us down. Tonight, we shut off all negative things going on and we just be here in this moment! I'm honored to be in this moment with y’all! Thank you for being here tonight!” he encouraged, moving the bright spotlight off himself and placing it gratefully on the support system that had crowded into the space directly in front of the stage.

FULL SET LIST

1) Kiss You in the Morning

2) Holy Water

3) Get To You/Small Town Small/Run Away With You/Whitehouse Road

4) One That Got Away

5) Hold

6) Drink With Our Friends

7) Think a Little Less

8) Workin’ On It

9) Folsom Prison Blues, Rodeo, Copperhead Road, Mountain Music

10) Whiskey and Rain