Laurie and I arrived at the Country Thunder music festival, & made our way to the media pit at the main stage. It was another clear, bright and sunny day in Wisconsin. We prepared our cameras, and kicked back waiting for our first show of the festival's final day.

Jake Owen

Jake took the stage singing "Somethin' About a Woman," and "The Bottle and Me."

Next, Jake shared that he has great parents, and his dad worked 7 days a week, but always found time to spend with his mother.


He added the comment "so guys spend time with your girl" & then began singing "Long Night With You" to the cheers of his fans.

Owen sang "The Bad In Me." Then, he introduced his next song "I Love Women," saying he just wrote it, & this was one of the first crowds to try it out on. By the crowd's cheers, this should be a pleaser for all Jake Owen fans. Then he launched into "Tulsa Time," before treating the audience, heavily made up of female listeners, to an acoustic song.

Owen explained that he learned a great deal from his parents. One thing was money never buys anything as important as love. He continued by saying something like "My dad used to tell me love is the most powerful thing in the world, and I might not be able to give your mom all kinds of things, but she can't ever tell me that I don't love her more than anything else in this world." Jake walked onto the catwalk playing his acoustic guitar singing "Baby, Don't Think I Can't Love You" as female fans crowded the catwalk trying to get closer to this talented new artist.

Jake signed autographs, & shook hands several times throughout his performance.

Then, Owen sang "Startin' With Me," his current single. Jake talked & shared with his fans throughout his performance. He asked if everyone up here in Wisconsin has heard of grits. The crowd roared their yes. He said his mom made him grits every morning, & then launched into "Girls Raised In The South."

Jake closed with "You Can Thank Dixie," & his first single "Yee Haw," from his debut album. This brought the audience to their feet to scream and cheer, shouting their own "YEE HAW" with him.

Heartland

Next up on the main stage was Heartland. The group started their set with "Guys Like Us," "Mississippi Mud," "Lonesome Me," & "No Getting Over Me."

Then, they announced "Freebird In A Firebird," as a Lynyrd Skynyrd song, & when they were in the studio recording it for their album, a couple of guys from Lynyrd Skynyrd came into studio & joined the recording. They also said they were very honored that those guys did that for them.

Next, they sang "Too Country." Charles Crawford, the group's guitar & fiddle player played the top box during this song.

They asked the audience "Who has ever heard of Tootsie's in Nashville?" A few in the crowd yelled they had. They said they do what's called a "Holler N Swoller" Toast, & asked the crowd to join them in one now. Everyone in the audience hollered along with the group and then took a drink of their adult beverage, aka swoller.

Then, they sang "Once A Woman Gets A Hold Of Your Heart," written for them by John Rich, & will released to radio soon. But they didn't give an exact date.

The group talked about being together for 14 years as a band. They have been nominated for two ACM awards, but lost to George Strait. They chuckled & said something like we can't think of a better artist to lose to. They finally had their first number one hit, & launched into singing "I Loved Her First."

Then, they sang "Let's Get Dirty," & a medley of Alabama songs, closing with "Mountain Music."

We left the main stage area & headed to the Miller Lite tent to meet up with the Road Hammers for my interview with them. Then, Laurie had her interview with Rio Grand back by the main stage area. Both groups of guys were wonderful, & we enjoyed meeting & talking with them.

We headed back to the Miller Lite tent to catch the Road Hammers performance. We were excited to see them perform after meeting and talking with them about their music.

The Road Hammers

The four members, Jason, Clayton, Chris and Corbett of the Road Hammers started their set with a couple of their singles "Overdrive" and "Keep On Truckin'" from their debut album which has achieved platinum status in Canada.

The Road Hammers showed their range of versatility playing the Eagles cover "Life In The Fast Lane," & then the classic Smokey & the Bandit theme called "Eastbound & Down."

Next, they sang "Adios, I'm Gone," "Call It A Day," "Willin'" & "I Don't Know If I Can Quit." They had a respectable size crowd in spite of the fact they played during Kenny Chesney's headlining performance.

The group demonstrated their strong southern rock style when they sang "The Hammers Goin' Down," "Girl On The Billboard" & "Heart With Four Wheel Drive." All of these songs are included on their debut album, due to be released in the US this fall.

Jason asked if everyone has heard of John Denver. The crowd nodded yes. He continued saying something like we're going to sing a little song by John Denver called "Thank God I'm A Country Boy" Road Hammers style. Laurie & I both strongly agree "Thank God I'm A Country Boy" never sounded so country rockin' good as it did Road Hammer style. They can serve up that song to us Road Hammers style any time.

Next, the guys launched into Hank Jr.'s "Country Boys Can Survive," & another song from their album called "Nashville Bound."

Then, they sang their signature song, & upcoming single "I'm Road Hammer" due to be released in the US around the middle of September. This upbeat catchy song epitomizes the very roots that make up the Road Hammers & their demonstration of what makes southern rock so great.

The group closed with another album song "Hillbilly Highway," then they came out to talk with and greet their fans.

If you like Hank Williams Jr., Lynyrd Skynyrd, Montgomery Gentry, or any other artists or groups influenced by southern rock, you'll love the Road Hammers. Keep a close watch on this talented & gifted group, as their music is due to explode into the US this fall Road Hammers Style.