The 147th NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits featured not one, but two concerts this year, both of which were entertaining for all in attendance.
The first of the two musical events, the NRA Country Jam, opened with the Scooter Brown Band, playing hits such as “Olivia,” “Guitars, Guns and Whiskey” and the title track of their newest album, “American Son,” which featured the second concert’s headliner, Charlie Daniels, of “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” fame. The Scooter Brown Band is a popular country/Southern Rock band that has toured with some of their biggest influences, including the Charlie Daniels Band, Marshall Tucker Band and Travis Tritt, who opened for the following night’s performance.
Not only was the energy given off patriotic from the themes of the songs, but a couple of the band members are former soldiers. Lead singer Scott Brown is a former marine, and the drummer, Matt Bledsoe, served in the army. Throughout the Scooter Brown Band’s performance, they made it clear that they are strong supporters of the Second Amendment.
Following the Scooter Brown Band, The Randy Rogers Band really kicked things up a notch. This Texas-based band has reached the Top 5 of Billboard’s Country Albums Chart with each of their last three studio releases, and is one of the most successful, longest-running acts in the thriving Texas music scene, performing over 200 days per year across the country.
The venue, Gilley’s Southside Music Hall in Dallas, Tx., was packed with both show attendees and exhibitors. Surveying the crowd, groups of all ages came out to show their support for both artists and the Second Amendment. While a few seats were available, no one was using them, as fans were on the floor dancing or crowding the stage.
The night produced a phenomenal show, and all those in attendance enjoyed the live music, all stating that the concert was one of the better ones they’ve seen.
The main NRA Country concert on the following evening opened with a few guest speakers, namely the concert’s MC, Dana Loesch. She proceeded to introduce the NRA’s new President, Oliver North, who opened the concert with an invocation.
Before the opening act, Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers played a few songs, followed by a great set list of Travis Tritt’s, featuring a cover of Hank Williams, Jr.’s song, “I’ve Got Rights,” which really resonated with the crowd. During the performance, Dana Loesch noted the vibe she got throughout the week leading up to the concert.
“Walking the floor, you don’t feel this energy anywhere else. Yet they [NRA members] are the nicest, kindest, most genuine people you’ll ever meet,” Loesch said. That held true throughout the concert, too, and NRA members’ generosity showed. Between the excitement of Travis Tritt’s time on stage and Charlie Daniels making his appearance, three wounded soldiers were surprised when, thanks to the charity of the NRA and its members, each received a key to a new house.
After the soldiers were dismissed, the crowd roared with excitement to see the one and only Charlie Daniels. Playing songs such as “Long Haired Country Boy,” and “Thank You,” everyone was waiting patiently for his classic, “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” which Daniels closed the show with. Travis Tritt and Scott Brown of the Scooter Brown Band accompanied Daniels as a trio, and they performed the song flawlessly.
Upon Mr. Daniels’ completion of the song, NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre presented Charlie Daniels with a unique Colt Single-Action revolver to commemorate his commitment to the importance of our Second Amendment rights.
With most concerts, there are typically high and low points. Not a single low point could be seen or heard at the two concerts performed at the NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits this year. Just ask the audience, who will tell you these concerts have been the best ones put on by the NRA to date.
