The 80-minute, 15-song set of tireless energy and robust vocals from Lady A was played in front of an estimated 7,600 fans and followed a solid opening act by American Idol alum and country newcomer Danny Gokey. His spirited hour-long performance included “My Best Days are Ahead of Me,” the lead single from his RCA Nashville/19 Recordings debut, and current Country Top 40 hit “I Will Not Say Goodbye.” The latter was dedicated to fallen military personnel and was one of the few ballads Gokey threw into the mix.
With impressive vocals from the outset, the original material in his 13-song repertoire worked well. He opened with the rocker “Like That’s a Bad Thing,” and moved right into another up-tempo number, “(Gotta Get a Little) Life on Ya.” But the covers he chose to include were a mixed bag. The Rascal Flatts’ ballad “What Hurts the Most” was well-received (and sung by the crowd with enthusiasm). But Gokey’s rendition of the decades-old Travis Tritt hit “T-R-O-U-B-L-E” came across like a karaoke version that briefly lost the audience. He recovered with “Life is a Highway,” prompting another sing-along, then closed with the Bon Jovi staple “Livin’ on a Prayer.”
Read the full concert report at http://blogs.mcall.com/lehighvalleymusic/2010/09/allentown-fair-goes-gaga-for-lady-antebellum.html
DANNY UR AWSOME