Live Review: Toby Keith/Joe Nichols, New York State Fair, Syracuse, NY, August 29, 2006

Promoting his "White Trash with Money" album, pop culture's leading redneck, Toby Keith, took the stage last night in front of almost 15,000 upstaters. Being the hardcore honkytonkers that we are - actually, it's really just me - myself and the Missus were there.

Just after 9 PM, Thin Lizzy's "The Boys Are Back in Town" signalled Tobe's arrival. That led into a short and hilarious intro film premised on the rejection of numerous offers for reality shows, including "Toby On Ice" where he was asked to don figure skates. (Due to copious amounts of beer on a fairly empty stomach despite deep fried Oreos, deep friend Twinkies and deep fried KD on offer at the Fair, I'm not really sure how the skit evolved to have Toby playing the role of the host of a game show titled "Hell No!", but anyways ...)

The hitsfest began shortly thereafter, along with numerous special effects, pyro, and someone at the side of the stage signing out the lyrics for the hearing impaired. Tobes kept it fresh for himself by changing the lyrics a little bit. Here's an example that came during "I'm Just Talkin' Bout Tonight":

Well, I'm not talkin bout locking down forever, baby,
That would be too demanding.
I'm just talkin bout three lonely people
who might reach a little understanding.
I'm not talkin bout knocking out heaven
with whether we're wrong or we're right.
See, I'm just talkin' bout pilin' up and stretchin' out
I'm just talkin bout tonight.

Another from last year's song of the summer, "I Ain't As Good As I Once Was":

She said, "I'e seen you in here before."
I said, "I've been here a time or two."
She said, "Hello, my name is Bobby Jo
Meet my twin sister Betty Lou
And we're both feeling kinda wild tonight
And you're the only cowboy in this place
And if you're up for a rodeo
We'll put a big Texas smile on your face"
I said, "Girls,"

I ain't as good as I once was
I got a few years on me now
But there was a time back in my prime
When I could really hose 'em down
And if you need some love tonight
Then I might have just enough
I ain't as good as I once was
But I'm as good once as I ever was.

He also delivered fan favourites "I'll Never Smoke Weed with Willie Again", "Stays In Mexico", "The Angry American" and "How Do You Like Me Now?" within a set that included easily more than 20 tunes, along with a guest spot from Lindsey Haun, who's starring opposite Tobes in a new flick coming out shortly. I've seen Tobes four times now and every time he gets better. This was in my top two country shows of all time with only Shania's Vancouver show in 1999 possibly being better. Lots of smiles and good times all around among the faithful last night, and by the way, if you need to ask who Willie is, you're beyond help.

As for Nichols, he was an adequate opener with the highlight being a cover of the "Dukes of Hazzard" theme song which led into AC/DC's "Back In Black".

Country rules.

Overall rating: 9.5/10