Travis Tritt wows packed Albany crowd

ALBANY — “Never let it be said that Travis Tritt shorted an audience; because that’s not how I roll!”

With that vow, the country music star kicked off his performance at the packed Albany Municipal Auditorium with his hit “It’s All About The Money.” And on this night, Tritt spoke the truth.

In a time of mediocrity and conformity, Tritt gave 100 percent of his unique musical talent in a solo acoustic performance that was a return to Albany for the Nashville star. Tritt’s performance in the beautiful Albany Municipal Auditorium, managed by Spectra Venue Management, lent a personal feel and offered a special opportunity to enjoy Tritt’s musical talent.

Tritt, brought to Albany by Six String Southern Productions, offered area residents a night out in a lovely venue with an intensely energetic show. Concert-goers came locally and from miles away, individually, in pairs, and in groups on party buses, a reminder that events like this enrich the community artistically and financially.

Tritt’s interaction with the crowd was constant, jovial and entertaining. He displayed a deep love for country music and the fans that love that music. Within the first few minutes of the show, his rendition of “Where Corn Don’t Grow” had the south Georgia fans on their feet in appreciation.

He offered his take on the world today and its change since his arrival in Nashville in the 1980s. He was one of four male artists that arrived on the country music scene in the same year that are now universally recognized country music artists. Tritt’s story, as he told it, was unusual.

To hear him tell it, he was anything but the typical aspiring country music artist when he arrived in Nashville. He was a long-haired, ripped-denim-wearing, briefcase-toting, country music-singing, young man looking for a record deal. The beginning of his walk with fame began with “Country Club” in the early ’90s. Tritt sang a rousing rendition of “Country Club” with heavy audience participation on the chorus.

The country icon moved on to tell a story about country great Waylon Jennings. He said that Jennings was a huge influence on and mentor to him as a young artist breaking into a tough business. Jennings encouraged the young Tritt and became a long-time friend. Tritt broke into a tribute to Jennings with a medley of the latter’s greats. Ole Waylon would certainly have been proud to witness such a tribute by a man whose career he helped mold.

Tritt told a story that, as a young boy, he wanted a 12-string guitar for Christmas but was told that sure wasn’t going to happen. On Christmas morning, the youngster was surprised to find the 12-string under the Christmas tree. After expressing the delight he experienced that Christmas morning and his gratitude for that gift, Tritt played John Denver’s “Rocky Mountain High.” The 12-string guitar he played did the song justice.

Tritt then moved into “It’s a Great Day to Be Alive.” And on that night, the Albany audience was a light-hearted, country music-loving, force that sang its heart out. Tritt’s “Here’s a Quarter” and “Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde” followed. The last song of the evening, “T-R-O-U-B-L-E,” brought the house to its feet. Tritt bade the crowd goodnight and exited the stage to a still standing audience.

Travis Tritt’s way of talking with the crowd, telling his story, blended with great music, made a show with a man, a stool, and two guitars on a stage an event to remember.

File Photo: Tammy Fletcher

File Photos: Tammy Fletcher