Michael Ray at the Oklahoma City Fair

Last Friday, the 16^th of September, a few friends and I met up in Oklahoma City to catch Michael Ray at the fair. The last time we saw Ray was his stop in Oklahoma City during Brantley Gilbert’s blackout tour (Show Review and Band Review) and we were all excited to see what he could do as the headlining act. It was like mother nature herself knew there was great music coming. Because the rain we were expecting never showed. I had the pleasure of getting to meet Ray before the show and  he as usual was a total sweetheart.

He started out the show with his up tempo song "Another Girl" and I am pretty sure I did not sit back down til the show was over. We also got to hear the song he co-wrote for Big & Rich, "Runaway With You," as well as "Look Like This," and his newest single "Think a Lil Less."  A truly fun part of the show was when the iPod Shuffle began. Ray and the band played a fun selection of songs from  Toby Keith's "Should Have Been a Cowboy" to Tom Petty's "Mary Jane's Last Dance." Though a special mention goes to his cover of Bruno Mars' "Just The Way You Are." Before Ray began singing, he addressed the females in the crowd saying they were beautiful just the way they were. That they should never change for anyone, but rather they are amazing just the way they are.

We also heard "Everything In Between," "Drivin' All Night," "This Love," "Real Men Love Jesus," and the number one hit "Kiss You In The Morning." Michael Ray is an amazing singer and has a very talented band backing him up. Kurt Ozan (utility player), Jonathan Sepulveda (bassist), and Lucas Chamberlain (guitarist) are just as amazing to listen to and watch perform as Michael Ray. Everyone always looks like they are having the time of their lives while performing. Their cover of "Dust On The Bottle" was perhaps one of the funnest covers I have seen. It was such a fun night and definitely not the last time I'll see Michael Ray.

You can see Michael Ray on his Think A Lil Less tour, which is his first as headliner, starting Oct. 14th in Phoenix, AZ. Tickets are on sale now.

Brantley Gilbert ~ Oklahoma City, OK

Brantley Gilbert's Blackout Tour came to the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, OK on February 25th. His two scheduled openers were up and comers Canaan Smith and Michael Ray. I went into this concert the opposite from most attendees. For me, it was my first time seeing Gilbert, but my fifth time seeing Smith, and my third time seeing Ray. So I knew I was in store for high energy, amazing vocals, talented bands, and endless amounts of passion. The show began with a surprise fourth artist, Brian Davis. He got the crowd warmed up and ready with "Against The World" and "I Earned This Beer." Out next was Florida native, singer/songwriter Michael Ray.

The show got off to an explosive start when Ray opened his set with his highly energetic song "Another Girl." It is one of those songs you just can't help but dance to. Then he got everyone singing along when he let loose with a perfect cover of the Big and Rich song "Runaway With You." A song he actually helped co-write. He talked with and engaged the audience at every turn. Ray kept the great times coming with "This Love" and his first number one "Kiss You In The Morning." He also sang "Everything In Between," "Look Like This," and "Drivin' All Night" from his debut album not to mention a great cover of David Lee Murphy's "Dust On The Bottle." It was a treat watching Michael Ray perform. He was so full of energy, he was practically vibrating with excitement. Ray closed out his set with his second single and current top 20 hit "Real Men Love Jesus." The show continued with the Virginia native singer/songwriter Canaan Smith.

Smith got the party back in full swing with "Gettin Into," a song from the deluxe edition of his debut album Bronco. He then went on to show off some of his smooth vocals with his song "Two Lane Road." A song about disappearing down a two lane road in order to find a little bit of peace and calm. Something I have noticed from seeing Smith live is you can feel how he puts his heart into every song each time he steps on the stage. That night was no different. Next up was his current chart climber "Hole in a Bottle." The energy level never faltered as Smith went on to sang us "Love At First", "One of Those," and "Fire." Some may not know this, but Smith actually contributed to the writing of several of the songs on Bronco including "American Muscle." The song that sparked a "U-S-A" chant led by a flag waving Smith. After that the set came to a close with his first single and number one hit "Love You Like That." However, when the last notes faded away, Smith wasn't finished with the crowd. He announced he would be out at the merchandise table signing autographs. After surviving the line to get his autograph, I made it back just in time for the Georgia native, Brantley Gilbert, himself.

Photo Credit: @Little_Bridgie

I think the perfect way to describe Gilbert is found in the very name of his newest album Just As I Am. Gilbert's set began with a song from that very album "Read Me My Rights." He kept the BG Nation up and moving with "Hell On Wheels," "If You Want a Bad Boy," and the ever popular "Dirt Road Anthem." Gilbert is a pro on how to connect with his fans and keep the energy level amazing. He was all over the stage, reaching out, and shaking every hand he could reach. I enjoy when artists tell stories before their songs and the lead into Gilbert's current chart climbing single "Stone Cold Sober" definitely had me smiling. "My Kinda Party," "That Was Us," and "My Baby's Guns N' Roses" kept the incredible night moving along. During the songs there would occasionally be photos playing on the large screen. For example during "You Don't Know Her Like I Do" and then those photos switched to ones of Gilbert and his wife. The incredibly sweet moment was followed up by one of Gilbert's number one hits "Country Must Be Country Wide." After getting everyone dancing he slowed it down with a beautiful two song acoustic performance of "Grown Ass Man" and "Them Boys." While talking with the crowd Gilbert mentioned how sometimes people will want you to change, but you need to be yourself. Once his cover of "Outlaw Women" finished, it was time for "Small Town Throwdown." He invited Canaan Smith and Michael Ray back out to cover the song with him. It was a sight to behold watching three artists with such obvious passion and love for what they do sharing the stage. That passion came though even more for Gilbert when he performed his number one hit "One Hell of an Amen." The emotion from that performance and the slide show was enough to move this country fan to tears. The show finished off with "Take It Outside," "Kick It In The Sticks," and an encore of "Bottoms Up."

Photo Credit: @Little_Bridgie

I was absolutely right about this show being packed full of high energy, amazing vocals, talented bands, and endless amounts of passion. I highly recommend trying to catch one of the remaining stops on the Blackout Tour. I wanted to say Thank You to 101.9 The Twister's The Buff Show for the amazing seats and let everyone know to stay tuned for a separate write up about the amazing bands that shared the stage with these three incredible artists!  

Michael Ray Takes Tulsa

Michael Ray is an extremely talented country singer who took country radio by storm with his number 1 hit "Kiss You in the Morning". His self titled debut album came out on August 7th of this year. Before the album release, I was already intrigued by his voice and couldn't wait to hear more from him. 

As I've mentioned before, I am legally blind. Since I will eventually go blind I made a list of artist I want to see live before that happens. After hearing "Kiss You in the Morning" the first time, I had added Michael Ray to that list. I kept an eye on his tour schedule for when he'd be coming to Oklahoma. Well Michael Ray came to Tulsa on Nov. 18th and he sure did it right!

It wasn't just one show, but THREE all with our awesome local radio stations. He had an Eat & Greet via 98.5 KVOO, a mini Ladies Lock-In via 106.1 The Twister and was the featured artist for K95.5's Girls Night Out show. I won invites to KVOO's Eat & Greet and took concert buddy Amanda. The Eat and Greet took place at the historic Cain's Ballroom. The eat portion of this awesome acoustic show was from Oklahoma Joe's. 

When Michael, his guitar player Austin, and his drummer Andrew arrived Michael went up to every one of us shaking hands and introducing himself. The entire set up was pretty cool. On the floor of Cain's there was two long tables set up for us and the tables were connected by a row of chairs were Michael and his band mates set.

Austin, Michael, and Andrew

It was Michael's first time in Tulsa. So he had never been to Cain's Ballroom before and he really loved it. It's very hard to put into words how amazing it is to hang out, eat (that barbecue was delicious), talk with, and listen to one of your favorite solo artists sing. I love acoustic shows because you can really hear the artist. I know that statement is making you think wait what. Just listen to the video of "Everything In Between" below:

That is Michael's voice with absolutely no sound equipment. Well Austin and Andrew are playing to, but you understand. It was really amazing. All three guys were down to earth and such gentleman. After the eating, chatting, and singing we all lined up and got photos and autographs. I got to tell him about my list too. 

 Our friend Shannon attended the acoustic show for 106.1 The Twister and then all three of us came together for Girls Night Out with K95.5. That is were an already great day turned into a memorable night not soon forgotten. I have this saying: Great time, Great people, Great music. Generic maybe, but 100% true. Before the show we got to chat with my favorite K95.5 dj Shane Houston. (I'm aware I'm pretty short)

Shane Houston and me

During this show you got a great feel for not only how talented Michael is, but Austin and Andrew as well. Among the songs performed were his singles "Kiss You in the Morning" and "Real Men Love Jesus". He also played several from his album including "Look This Way", "This Love", "Drivin' All Night", "Everything In Between" (one of my favorites!), and "Somewhere South" for my friend Shannon. Perhaps the coolest part of the show though was getting "Another Girl" dedicated to me when he started to play it. 

KVOO Eat & Greet photos

 Before the show I requested it. Well Shannon did, but she started with "She wants to know". He said they would try. It's my favorite song from the album.  Because when I go to concerts I get to be me and not the "poor blind girl". The lyrics talk about how a girl turns into another girl when she goes to a concert. After the show Michael signed autographs and took photos again. 

Amanda, Me, Michael Ray, & Shannon

Michael is currently on tour with Kip Moore and will soon after hit the road with Brantley Gilbert and Canaan Smith. If either tour is coming to a city near you I recommend catching that show. You won't want to miss it. Michael Ray has the makings to be around a long while in country music.