Yowsers, can that girl belt it out.
Even before Carolyn Dawn Johnson had bounded onto the Arden stage this past Friday night, the sold-out house was cheering her on.
She wasn’t just another singer on a road stop flogging a new album. The Nashville-based Westlock transplant was family.
Johnson had returned home to the “old stomping grounds,” and an applause-heavy red carpet was laid out for Johnson and her four sidemen — Ricky Free (drums), Cory Ishee (guitar), Nolan Werner (bass) and Derek Wells (mandolin).
Although the country singer had temporarily hung up her spurs for four years, she still knew how to work the country crowd, delivering a lyrical catalogue that focused on love, family and domesticity.
With just a hint of glitter in her black shawl, tight pants and stiletto heels, she radiated a mix of superstar glam and down-home country girl charm.
What better way to get into the groove than by kicking off with the rollicking Let Me Introduce Myself, the first single off her new Love Rules album.
Whether she was singing new tunes such as At the Time and Hangin’ On or earlier award-winning songs such as Georgia and Complicated, Johnson’s pipes were lusty and acrobatic with a trace of Tennessee twang.
She crafted a set list of songs that felt as if they belonged together and embedded in each song was a swath of richly deserved emotion. The lyrically beautiful Stop For Me was cradled in pain and I Just Want My Life Back projected the right touch of angst.
This was one singer who’s been through the music industry’s rollercoaster boot camp, and the one song that capsulized Johnson as she is now — gutsy, confident and ready to take on the world — was ironically the 2006 Takin’ Back My Brave.
The only downside to the concert was that levels seemed set for a larger venue. Perhaps I was geared up for a more acoustic concert, but I wanted to pull back instead of immersing myself in the music.
At any rate, Johnson displayed the vocal chops, heart and energy to rise to the top once more. She ended the show on a tender note, bringing her two-year-old daughter Abigail on stage bringing full circle the importance of love and family.
Opening act Chad Brownlee delivered a 30-minute set that was touching, humorous in his stand-up delivery, and sexy, especially for the under-25 female fans.
My 21-year-old daughter, who shot off at intermission to buy his autographed self-titled debut CD, returned saying, “He’s sooo hot.”
Heck, I just enjoyed listening to his deep, rich voice with driving tunes such as Lay Down the Tailgate and the self-admonishing weeper Tell Me Something I Don’t Know. But it was the more romantic The Best That I Can Be (Superhero) and dreamy Hood of My Car that hooked the women.
Sentimental without being saccharine, Brownlee proved he’s got the firepower and he definitely created the appetite for what became a great night of entertainment.
