Wheatland, CA – Riley Green’s “Cowboy As It Gets Tour” rolled through to the Toyota Amphitheater in Wheatland, California. Admittedly, I was equally excited to catch a couple of the supporting acts on the bill, Kashus Culpepper and Randy Houser.
The Toyota Amphitheater has a capacity of 18,500, and for the Riley Green show, it is completely sold-out. With the sun not yetdown, the first supporting act of the night, Hannah McFarland, promptly took the stage at 7pm.
In a glowing white flowery dress and a white Gibson acoustic guitar to match, Hannah treated the “early crowd” to three songs during her set. In between songs McFarland expressed genuine gratitude for the opportunity to perform for us. She also encouragingly spoke on her relationship with God, and how she felt she was called to make music. It’s a challenging position to play the very first slot, especially with nothing more than an acoustic guitar and your God given ability. Hannah McFarland accomplished the call with graciousness and an amazing voice.
After a very brief pause, Alabama native Kashus Culpepper took the stage, kicking off his southern steeped set with “Southern Man”, from his debut album ‘Act I’. Culpepper’s entire set was full of groove and swagger, weaving in threads of soul, country, southern rock, and blues.
Kashus Culpepper had the crowd on their feet rockin’ right along with him. Especially during his blazing cover of “Whipping Post” (The Allman Brothers Band). Culpepper also treated us with exceptional covers of “Ain’t No Sunshine” and “Just The Two of Us”. I say he treated us with, because it truly was a treat to hear Kashus Culpepper perform. His vocals are flawless, he plays guitar and expertly incorporates the harmonica within the songs. I’m excited to one day catch him during his own headlining performance.
With night now set upon the amphitheater, the seats and lawn area are at full capacity. Randy “Damn” Houser takes the stage! Showing exceptional class and gratitude, before Houser even sings a note, he walks up to the mic and tips his hat to the ravenously cheering crowd. Throughout his entire set, Houser is all smiles and frequently expresses sincere gratefulness for being onstage performing for us.
With one of the most powerfully robust voices in country music, Houser worked in some of his early material, newer songs, and some amazing covers. As for his “early stuff”, he had the entire crowd whipped into a frenzy with “Boots On”, “Whistlin’ Dixie”, and “How Country Feels”.
Randy Houser also appropriately worked in the George Strait classic, “Troubadour”. After all, this is the ‘As Cowboy As It Gets’ tour! Speaking of cowboy, Houser also belted out “Chattahoochee” (Alan Jackson), to the delight of everyone in attendance.
Throughout Houser’s performance he reminded us all “How Country Feels” and left the crowd cheering with “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight”.
The cheers from 18,000 fans was truly electric yet deafening when Riley Green took the stage. Green had the crowd in an absolute frenzied state as he simply ambled up to the microphone blowing into one of his many RNT duck calls.
With a stage setup much like a properly equipped hunting lodge, or perhaps a well-appointed honky-tonk, the bar was stocked with bottles, the stools had saddles for seats, and a trophy bull elk mount was proudly displayed. There were no loud explosions, no pyrotechnics, and no blinding lasers to be seen. Though the lighting as times was visually stunning, Green chose to instead let his songs do what was intended while his baritone voice filled the amphitheater.
Riley Green expertly lit up the stage with his energetic, yet no nonsense blend of country music that often explores the themes of heartbreak, faith, longing, and the nostalgia of small-town America. Having released his brand-new 19 song album “That’s Just Me” only days prior, surprisingly he performed only three songs from the new release. Choosing instead to play songs the crowd was already familiar with, he did perform the slightly sultry “Go Again”, the chock full of yearning “My Way”, and the rip roarin’ good time having “Think As You Drunk”.
Whether it was one of Green’s own songs, or one of the stellar covers he performed, he had the entire sold-out crowd singing along with every word. My personal favorite cover he did actually resulted in a tie between “In Color” (Jamey Johnson) and “The Cowboy In Me” (Tim McGraw).
It was a truly exceptional night of country music! Hearing two of my favorite Riley Green songs, “Jesus Saves” and “I Wish Grandpas Never Died” was simply icing on the cake. Riley Green solidified the fact that you don’t need to wear a cowboy hat to be “As Cowboy As It Gets”
Do not altar photos
Copyright: Chris Couture Photography
