Shipshewana, IN (August 3, 2024) – Two country artists from Arkansas, Justin Moore and Tyler Kinch take on a road trip to perform for the crowd inside the Blue Gate Performing Arts Center in Shipshewana, on Saturday evening.
Leading off for the night, central Arkansas’s Tyler Kinch takes the stage for a quick 30 minute set. Standing at center stage, Tyler is positioned in front of his name proudly emblazoned in gold lettering on the video screen behind him, while also standing to the left of his band’s guitarist, Darren Barry, who accompanies him this evening.
Kinch warms the crowd with an introduction to his self with his own originals that include his current single “Back Talk,” “Devil Was An Angel” and “It Should Be You.” In the middle of his set, Kinch performs a song that is more identifiable to the crowd, Lee Brice’s hit “One Of Them Girls.” The highlight of Tyler’s set is the new song “Front Lines” that he recorded just the day before that pays tribute to the armed services and first responders. The song has a personal tug at Kinch as he is a veteran of the US Air Force before his beginnings of a career as a country music performing artist. The crowd approved the song and performance with cheers and a standing ovation, thus showing why he was awarded and titled the 2023 Entertainer Of The Year, by the Arkansas Country Music Awards.
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Tyler Kinch setlist:
Back Talk / Can’t Pour It Back In / Devil Was An Angel / Bottom Of The Bottle / One Of Them Girls (Lee Brice cover) / More Than This One Horse Town / Front Lines / It Should Be You
The stage lights slowly come up, the crowd rises to their feet while the band proceeds to their position to play their “Arkansas Intro” as tour manager, JR Runnels announces Justin Moore to the stage. The show kicks off with a six song run that begins with Moore showing off his country charm (on stage and video screen) with “Bait A Hook” and continues on with he and his band having fun on stage with “You Look Like I Need A Drink,” “Somebody Else Will,” “Till My Last Day” and “Kinda Don’t Care” before the Waylon Jennings hit “Good Ol’ Boys (Dukes Of Hazzard).” The crowd since his introduction on stage, has continued to stand and sway to the music while singing along to all the songs performed.
After that 25-minute start, Moore takes a break to thank everyone for coming and introduces himself. He adds that he has been officially touring for 17 years and this makes the third time he has made it to Shipshewana. During that time, he has created seven studio albums on the Valory Music Group label that have produced 12 #1 hit singles. For tonight’s show, he is going to sing some of his old songs, newer songs and songs from his upcoming album that will be released in October.
Claiming to not talk much during his shows, he admits to sometimes getting himself in trouble for things he says when he does. Knowing there are children in the crowd, he respects that but excuses himself for what he says next. “I have family who were in the military, and my parents taught me the importance of our serviceman and women who let us be free. I thank them every day, and I have taught my four children at home to appreciate them and respect them. I am sorry if it offends you how I feel about these men and women who keep us free and helps out in many other ways…well, you can kiss my ASS!!!” As the crowd erupts in approval and applause, Justin and his band sing about “The Ones That Didn’t Make It Back Home.”
“99 Problems And Beer Ain’t One” is a duet with fellow country artist Blake Shelton, and new music that will appear on the new album in October. It’s also the beginning of another run of hits songs by Justin that adds one about his wife, “With A Woman In Love.” His 12th and latest #1 single he sings with female country artist Priscilla Block, “You, Me, & Whiskey” is also included, along with his first #1 from back in 2009, “Small Town USA.”
As the crowd continues to show their approval by singing along to every song, the loud cheers and applause during and after each song, Justin appears surprised. He states “You all do not know the power you have over what we do. I grew up in a town of 300 people and was taught that you can be whatever you want to be in life. I have preached that to my children and am raising them to believe that if you put your heart into it, you can be whatever you want to be. Thank you for changing my life and making our (band) dreams come true.” The set ends with Justin and band taking everyone in the Blue Gate PAC to the “Backwoods” for a foot-stompin’ good time.
Justin is joined on stage tonight with his band that consists of: Roger Coleman II (lead guitar), Stephan Laplante (rhythm and acoustic guitar), David Dubas (bass guitar), Tucker Wilson (drums) and Wilton Houchens II (keyboard/piano). On stage they all appear to be having fun, with the crowd and each other as they play in sync, like a well-oiled machine.
The volume of the crowds cheering grows louder when Moore and the band return to the stage for an encore. The gesture leaves Justin overwhelmed and speechless for a moment before telling the crowd that it wasn’t necessary. He then proceeds to tell the crowd that he and the band were just talking backstage and claim they want to return to Shipshewana on a yearly basis due to the crowds welcoming of them. Justin talks about the land that he lives on back in Arkansas, and the family history of it with the passing of it through generations. He makes note that it will eventually be passed to his own children with the agreement that it stays in the family and never is sold outright, otherwise he will come back from the grave to visit them. His general message is that it is about family. That is the inspiration behind the current single and the title track to the upcoming album, “This Is My Dirt.”
Justin ends the evening with his 2019 party song, “Why We Drink.” During the song, the crowd flocks down to the stage front to get a closer view and hopes of a handshake by Justin or guitar pick by the band. The song concludes with Justin slowly making his way from one side of the stage to the other as he signs items from the fans and poses for photos. The band continues to play “Arkansas Outro” for Moore until he exits the stage.
The night was enjoyable and fun for those who attended. The two Razorbacks entertained the crowds with pureness, and showed that traditional country music is still alive, doing well and wanted by their fans. For those who may have never seen Tyler Kinch or Justin Moore before, become fans on this evening. To learn more about each of them or keep track of what they are up to, join them by clicking on their social links provided below.
Words by: Leslie Reasoner
Photos by: John Reasoner
Justin Moore setlist:
Bait A Hook / You Look Like I Need A Drink / Somebody Else Will / Til My Last Day / Kinda Don’t Care / Good Ol’ Boys (Dukes Of Hazzard) (Waylon Jennings cover) / The Ones That Didn’t Make It Back Home / 99 Problems And Beer Ain’t One / With A Woman You Love / Lettin’ The Night Roll / If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away / We Didn’t Have Much / You, Me, And The Whiskey / Small Town USA / Point At You / Backwoods Encore: This Is My Dirt / Why We Drink
Justin Moore
Tyler Kinch
Blue Gate Performing Arts Center