Travis Tritt
Macon, Georgia (January 18, 2018) – Acclaimed country music star, Travis Tritt, serenaded fans at the Macon City Auditorium tonight as he brought his acoustic ‘A Man and His Guitar’ tour to Georgia. The country legend we know today has been in the making since a very young age. He got his first guitar in fourth grade and by the time he was in high school he was performing the first of his own compositions for his friends and classmates. He would go on to be signed by Warner Bros. Records in 1987. His second single, “Help Me Hold On”, would launch him to the top of the country charts paving the way for his first album, Country Club. Since then he has had four additional number ones songs and released a total of 11 albums, seven of which have gone platinum. He leads a very successful career having won seven awards for his music, including a Grammy for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals in 1992 and 1999. He has also had a multitude of television and movie appearances, most portraying himself. Mr. Tritt is a man of many talents, he continues to meet and exceed his fans expectations with every new endeavor he undertakes.
Looking at the large expanse of the mostly empty stage, it occurred to me that one ordinary man on a stage that big would appear very small in its vastness; thankfully, Travis Tritt is anything but an ordinary man. Mr. Tritt carries with him a presence that makes it very easy to understand how he went from unknown to on the top so quickly. When he walked on stage in his embellished suit jacket and gave the crowd a smile it became apparent how he had maintained his following through all the ups and downs of country music through the years, with the perfect blend of talent and charisma. When he took his seat and started to play the crowd ‘whooped’ and ‘hollered’, boots tapped along to the sweet melody of his voice.
He played for us “It’s All About the Money”, “Where Corn Don’t Grow”, “The Pressure Is On” (Hank Williams, Jr. cover), “I’m Gonna Be Somebody”, “Lord Have Mercy on the Working Man”, “Country Club”, “Country Ain’t Country”, “500 Miles” (Jerry Reed cover), “Drift Off to Dream”, “Help Me Hold On”, “Here’s a Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares)”, “Pickin’ at It”, “Come and Go Blues” (The Allman Brothers Band cover), “The Whiskey Ain’t Workin’”, “Anymore”, “Blues Man” (Hank Williams, Jr. cover), “Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way” (Waylon Jennings cover), “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” (Waylon Jennings cover), “Just the Good Ol’ Boys” (Waylon Jennings cover), “Help” (Beatles cover), “It’s a Great Day to Be Alive”, “Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde”, and “T.R.O.U.B.L.E”. This astounding 23 song set was a wonder in person but you can also bring that feeling home with his most recent album A Man and His Guitar, is a 24-live-song collection including most of the songs played tonight.
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The performance was simple, with colored lights painting the heavy velvet curtains behind him; it was a truly magical musical experience. He spoke to people of Macon, fondly recounting the time he spent there in the 80’s, even confiding “I know it may sound kinda morbid, but I used to hang out at Rosehill Cemetery – by the graveside of Greg Allman,” one of his early inspirations. He sang passionately and even danced to the crowd planting a smile on every face in attendance.
These solo shows are not something he does all the time but if you have the chance to see you one – snag it! It is a wonderful and unique experience; like it’s just you, him, and the music. His next show is January 26th @ L’Auberge Casino & Hotel Baton Rouge in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. You can grab your tickets for that show here or check out this page to see when he will be near you!
Travis Tritt
Macon City Auditorium
The venue was the perfect fit for this country show. The quality of sound was beyond comparison; as clear as a one-on-one session. Echoes of this countries colonial times are seen everywhere from the delicately carved peach tree details to the pillars found throughout the room. Just like the beauty of country music, this auditorium, with its soaring dome ceiling, takes the mind to a simpler time in history. The atmosphere made it easy to sit and let everything but the performance falls away.
Photographer: Leelee Hawkins
Journalist: Kathleen Harpe