FirstBank Amphitheater’s First Show Features All-Star Country Programming

The FirstBank Amphitheater opened this week appropriately for any major Middle Tennessee venue – with a host of country stars on stage.

Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett, Maren Morris and a handful of others christened the outdoor space Tuesday night in rural Williamson County for “Together: Feeding Nashville,” a concert to raise funds to fight the food insecurity.

Proceeds from the tickets benefited Feeding Nashville, a nonprofit started by Taylin Lewan, wife of Tennessee Titans forward Taylor Lewan, and Hayley Hubbard, wife of Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line, to help families struggling affected by the tornadoes of 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic. The program used local chefs affected by closed dining rooms to cook healthy, free meals for those in need.

“It’s so good to be here tonight,” Tyler Hubbard said at the top of the show. “What a special night for a special cause in a special city.”

And Tuesday gave viewers a first glimpse of the FirstBank Amphitheater, the latest expansion to the Live Nation venue in Middle Tennessee. Located inside the sprawling 138-acre Graystone Quarry at Thompson’s Station, the stage and seats are set between a landscape of rocks, trees and singing cicadas, far from the bustling atmosphere of downtown its sister location, the Ascend Amphitheater.

Ticket holders take a short hike from the general admission parking lot to the quarry grounds, where the amphitheater sits nestled between the surrounding cliffs. The artists perform on chairs and benches on several levels that extend almost to the rock surrounding the place.

How is the view? Here’s how Morris explained it.

“It’s such an amazing lineup and such a beautiful venue,” Morris said from the stage. “I feel like I’m at Red Rocks in my backyard. It’s just beautiful.”

The home of FGL

Tuesday night played like a country music mixtape coming to life, with Florida Georgia Line as the de facto DJ.

The successful duo took to the stage – following an acoustic set of ace from young Lily Rose – until 2020’s’ I Love My Country ‘before launching into fan favorite’ This Is How. We Roll ”and invite Russell Dickerson on stage for a“ It’s Time ”collaboration.

For Dickerson and others, the duo typically played a few songs before handing over the stage – and their touring band – to the rotating cast of artists.

Future :Jonas Brothers and Greta Van Fleet are ready for season one at FirstBank Amphitheater in Thompson’s Station

And appearances are sometimes accompanied by a one-off collaboration, such as Florida Georgia Line bringing Thomas Rhett on stage to sing the 2013 single “Round Here” that the latter co-wrote.

“It is such a special honor for us to be here for the very first time in this special place that is going to make so many memories over the next decade or two or three or four,” said Tyler Hubbard.

But the opening of a new place was not without setbacks either. SiriusXM host and “Together: Feeding Nashville” host Storme Warren announced early in the night that the show would be briefly delayed due to slow traffic which slowed arrivals for some, including performers. to appear. Most faced similar traffic issues when exiting the show, and venue organizers said via Instagram on Tuesday that they hoped to improve the process for future concerts.

“Work to get better every time,” the site posted on Instagram Tuesday after delaying the show for traffic. “Please be patient.”

Maren Morris, Thomas Rhett and more

As for this mixtape? It included Rhett serenading the audience from “Die A Happy Man” and Morris leading a vocals on his single – and undeniable live anthem – “My Church”.

Dickerson delivered his chart-topping track “Love You Like I Used To” and congratulated his hometown audiences with the new song “Home Sweet”.

Rhett gave audiences a taste of his new album “Country Again: Side A” with the title track followed by the single “What’s Your Country Song”; Morris invited her husband Ryan Hurd on stage for the couple’s 2020 duo, “Chasing After You” (Lauren Alaina was also due to appear but withdrew due to “an unexpected personal affair,” according to her Instagram).

“It’s so good to see a crowd again,” Morris said. “The last time I played music in Nashville, I think I was nine months pregnant. It’s quite a change. It’s been a year.”

A surprise finale

Plenty of surprise guests – from famous praise singer Chris Tomlin (for “Thank You Lord” with Rhett and FGL) to frequent Florida collaborator Georgia Line Chase Rice (“Drinkin ‘Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen. Amen.” With FGL. ) – took the on stage Tuesday night, but none elicited an audience reaction quite like a callback appearance by “Country Grammar” rapper Nelly.

Dickerson, country newcomer Breland, “The Git Up” frontman Blanco Brown and others joined Nelly and Florida Georgia Line for a lively rendition of the host group’s hit “Cruise” in 2012 that wrapped up the night.

“We just thought why don’t you get everyone backstage on that stage and do a big song together,” said Tyler Hubbard, adding, “Are you all up to do something crazy, or what?”