Rebels & Outlaws All For The Hall

Nashville rocked Tuesday night. It was billed as a night of “Rebels & Renegades: The Outlaws Are In,” and it didn’t disappoint. The 4th annual All For the Hall benefit concert, organized by Keith Urban and Vince Gill, featured performances from legends as well as the current class of outlaws. Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, and Hank Williams Jr. shared a stage with Jason Aldean, Eric Church, and Tim McGraw. In between, there was Brantley Gilbert, Trace Adkins, Rosanne Cash, and Montgomery Gentry.

 

The night began with Keith Urban performing the Rolling Stones classic “Tumblin’ Dice.”  Keith & Vince had recently been part of Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Concert in New York, where they were joined by Stones guitarist Keith Richards.  Keith welcomes the audience, and dedicated “Without You” to his wife and daughter Sunday, who he said were in the audience.  Vince did a Waylon Jennings song, “I Ain’t Living Long Like This,” and a medley of “Midnight Rider” and “Can’t You See.”  From there, they introduced Montgomery Gentry who did “There’s One In Every Crowd” and “Gone.”  Then came Brantley Gilbert, Trace Adkins, and Rosanne Cash.  Rosanne was the first of the artists introduced by Vince as “Country music royalty.”  The daughter of Johnny Cash did “Long Black Veil” and “Seven Year Ache.”  He was followed by Texas singer/songwriter Billy Joe Shaver.  Eric Church told the crowd, “This is one of the uniquest things I’ve ever done,” and then covered “Ophelia,” orginally done by The Band.  Waylon Jennings widow Jessi Colter told the crowd, “I’m here because of Keith Urban.  I’m here to represent Waylon, but I’m here to respect Keith Urban.”  She was followed by Kid Rock who energized the arena with “Born Free” and “All Summer Long.”

 

From there, two songs each by Jason Aldean and Tim McGraw.  Then out came Hank Williams Jr., who performed solo, accompanying himself on acoustic guitar on “Whiskey Bent & Hell Bound” and “All My Rowdy Friends Have Settled Down.”  That song was amended to “Some of my rowdy friends have been called home,” with nods to Jennings & Cash.  He told the crowd, “If you go to the Hall Of Fame, you’ll find out that June Carter Cash is my godmother.” 

 

Loretta Lynn was unable to perform, and Sheryl Crow was in her place. She and Kid Rock did their duet “Picture” to a standing ovation.  Vince introduced Kris Kristofferson, who did “Sunday Morning Coming Down” and “Me & Bobby McGee.”  He told told the crowd, “This is the best audience and this is the best band I’ve ever played with in my life.”  Willie Nelson was the final performer, who did On The Road Again and Roll Me Up & Smoke Me When I Die.   The night ended with the entire cast on stage singing “Family Tradition,” and Keith Urban pledging to return next year for All For the Hall Five. Proceeds from the sold out show will go to the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum in Nashville.