Granger Smith W/Lindsay Ell - Tulsa, OK

In 2015, Granger Smith broke onto the country radio scene with his number one hit song "Backroad Song" and the already huge YeeYee Nation exploded. May 14th, Smith came back to the Historic Cain's Ballroom in Tulsa, Ok and he had the talented Lindsay Ell opening the show for him.

Before the show, I had the pleasure of meeting Granger Smith. In a move I have never seen before, the meet and greet took place on Smith's tour bus. It eliminated the feel of an assembly line and set the tone for a more personal meet and greet. Talking with Smith, right away, I could tell he was genuinely a good person and not just because of his response to my unfortunate entrance. I’ll just say nothing loosens up a nervous fan quite like falling on their face. After the meet and greet, it was time to head back inside to hear Lindsay Ell.

Lindsay Ell - Cain's Ballroom

This was my third time seeing Ell perform and she never ceases to impress. She set the tone perfectly by opening with her single "By The Way." A fun, upbeat tune about being "good at getting over goodbye." She also played us a song she wrote for a friend called "Not Another Me," “Eyes Off You," "What Does You Good," and "Criminal." A great example of Ell's talent and skills is when she uses her loop machine before she starts “Criminal” to add a second guitar and some beat boxing to it. The song is also mixed with Taylor Swift's "Bad Blood," Ed Sheeran's "Think Out Loud," and John Mayer's "Say What You Need To Say." Among the notable covers Ell played was the classic Deana Carter hit "Strawberry Wine." She had the crowd pretty wound-up for Granger Smith.

Granger Smith - Photo Credit: S.Sanders

Granger Smith took the stage to a song from his new album Remington called "Tonight." A song all about making the most of an entire night. Some of the other songs from Smith's first major-label album that were performed was "Country Boy Love," "Echo," "Likin' Love Songs," "City Boy Stuck," "Blue Collar Dollars," "Tailgate Town," and of course the title track "Remington." A song that is about being as dependable as a Remington shotgun and one of my favorites. At one point in the show Smith slowed it down a bit. He spoke straight to our hearts with the powerful song he wrote about his grandpa titled "5 More Minutes" and the George Straight song "Tell Me Something Bad About Tulsa.” The other covers we were treated to included George Strait's "Run" and Garth Brooks' "Ain't Goin’ Down." Of course the crowd sang along to every word of both hit songs.

Smith - Photo Credit: S.Sanders

That was not all though. We also got to hear some older songs, from his album Dirt Road Driveway, that included "Miles And Mud Tires," "If Money Didn't Matter," "Bury Me In Blue Jeans," "We Do It In A field," "Silverado Bench Seat," and "19 Forever." There were several amazing moments throughout the show, but there are two that definitely deserve mentioning. Before singing his newest single, "If The Boot Fits," Smith told the crowd if they were wearing boots to slip one of and hold it up in the air. It's hard to accurately describe the energy of the crowd during that song or the sheer amount of boots in the air. So check out the clip below that Smith posted the day after the concert.

Then, during a song, I noticed Smith discover something I had already seen. In front of me, by the side stage, was an adorable little boy, four or five years old, who was dressed just like Earl Dibbles, Jr. While singing Smith ventured over to grab a guitar pick, came back, and leaned out into the crowd to give it straight to the little boy. The last song before Earl Dibbles, Jr.'s performance was "Backroad Song" and the volume change in the already vocal crowd was staggering. While Granger Smith was back stage "becoming" Earl Dibbles, Jr., the band kept playing. I didn't mind watching this band shine earlier in the show during their mini jam session with the phenomenally skilled Lindsay Ell and I was not complaining this time either. Granger Smith is backed by a stunning band made up of Jonathon Wisinksi on bass, Dusty Saxton killing it on drums, the talented Todd Howard on electric guitar and banjo, and last but, not least the second electric guitarist John Marlin.

Earl Dibbles Jr. - Photo Credit: S.Sanders

I'll be honest. Because of how Smith's alter ego was initially explained to me, I was a bit worried about the Earl Dibbles, Jr. part of the show. However, he just reminded me of half the men I grew up around! "Country Boy Love" and "Merica" were the songs Earl Dibbles, Jr. performed to close out the show. Granger Smith and his alter ego both put on a one of a kind, highly energetic show, and it's one I'd see again. If you get the chance definitely check out Granger Smith and Lindsay Ell. You can catch up with both artists on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and even Snapchat.