Brad Paisley Packs the House at The Show at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa
Story and Photos by Pat Krause
Country legend Brad Paisley arrived at THE SHOW at the Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa on Saturday the 31st to a sold-out crowd. This was one of those concerts where the first few rows of seats were removed so fans could stand right by the stage. The stage itself was enlarged, giving Paisley room to walk out into the audience and be closer to everyone. It’s part of his Trucks Still Running World Tour, and with two huge side screens and a giant video screen in back, there really are no bad seats in the house.
An extra stage stretched out from the main one, reaching into the fans on the left side. The concert started a little after 8 p.m., but many fans with close tickets came hours early just to claim a spot by the stage for that up-close experience. Paisley walked through the crowd, smiling and chatting, and every now and then he tossed a guitar pick into a lucky fan’s waiting hand. At one point, he even signed a fan’s guitar.
It’s not often you get to be that close to an artist while he’s performing. Paisley would lean down, reach out, and touch fans’ hands as he sang.
He opened with “Whiskey Before Breakfast,” “Truck,” and “Old Alabama,” and the cheers filled the room. One of the most fun moments came during “She’s Everything,” when a Kiss Cam moved through the audience. Couples laughed and scrambled when their faces appeared on the big screen, and the crowd roared with laughter.
Paisley wore his signature white hat and showed off his guitar skills with several impressive solos. At one point he stopped playing and simply sang, reminding everyone what a strong voice he has. He shared that most of his band has been with him for 25 years, and you could feel that closeness on stage. They swapped guitars often, traded solos with the violinist, and each band member had a moment to shine.
THE SHOW continues to bring in major talent — singers, comedians, and groups — making every concert feel special. Upcoming performances include legends like Smokey Robinson and more.
Another memorable night of music in the desert.
Pat Krause
