People dressed in flannel, plaid and denim filled Weill Hall of the Green Music Center on Friday night for the country artist, Trace Adkins. Though it was a cold night, many stood up and danced away any chills that they could have had. 

Adkins, age 52, is from Louisiana and has sold more than 10 million albums since his debut as a country star in 1995. This was the first country concert at the GMC venue, with the lawn seating opened for maximum capacity, despite the fact that it was wet due to the rain. “So it hasn’t rained here in what? Five years or something? You’re welcome,” said Adkins.

The crowd erupted with applause and laughter as Adkins’ charismatic personality echoed through the GMC and throughout the lawn.

Adkins’ opening act was Pete Stringfellow, a native from Santa Rosa and fellow country artist. Stringfellow sang some songs off his new self-titled record, which included a song titled, “Santa Rosa,” based on his hometown. References to Snoopy and the Peanuts’ gang were mentioned throughout the song.

 He also entertained the audience by beat-boxing, to which he said: “Why not be the first beat-boxer here,” and performed an impression of co-performer, Adkins. 

“You look up to him, literally,” said Stringfellow. He also sung a cover of the rock single by ACDC, “Shook Me All Night Long,” but changed the lyrics to “SSU shook me all night long.”

Adkins strutted on stage wearing a black cowboy hat, black shirt and jeans. His hair was pulled back into a low pony-tail under his cowboy hat. The stage and set displayed a brick wall, like one in an alley way, and displayed Adkins’ songs graffitied on the brick. 

Adkins worked the audience, as he walked across the stage. He had many pelvic thrusts and danced about while he would pull at his shirt and lift it to show his silver belt buckle.

At this, many screams from some middle-aged women echoed throughout the hall. This was followed by some laughter from students. 

After a couple fast-paced and head-popping songs, including “Swing,” Adkins slowed it down with the song, “This Ain’t No Love Song,” on his black guitar. With every slow song that was played, hands were raised in the audience and swung back and forth.

He continued with a couple older classic songs: his first single from 1996 and his “new favorite old song,” “There’s a Girl in Texas,” and his second single, “Every Light In The House.” 

“I came to have a good time tonight,” Adkins said before singing another older song from 1997, titled, “Big Time.” 

“I’ve been working on some new stuff. These days I am finding myself riding in my truck listening to the radio and it’s all happy, happy, happy, but sometimes I need a heartbreak song,” Adkins said. Immediately afterward he introduced a new song which goes: “ain’t about love gone wrong…she’s gone and sometimes you need a heartbreak song.”

Adkins ended with an all-time crowd favorite, “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk.” The crowd went crazy. Though it wasn’t allowed, many people in the GMC audience, stood up and danced along. Many people even swarmed the front of the stage.

Adkins ended his show but did return for an encore and the crowd erupted once more. 

 “You’ve been awfully good to me tonight. I really appreciate it. This is a beautiful place,” Adkins said as he bowed.