Paisley cranks up, FaceTime’s with Carrie Underwood on fan-geared “American Saturday Night”

Photos by Andy Argyrakis

There were too many examples of Brad Paisley’s charm to count when he made another annual stop at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, this time as part of the “Life Amplified” World Tour. However, the pair that surely stand out to moderately full but mighty crowd came when he autographed then gave his acoustic guitar to a young gal (and perhaps future Taylor Swift?) during “This Is Country Music,” alongside a hat swap with a little guy on his guardian’s shoulders at the end of “Alcohol.”

Of course, the singer/songwriter/guitarist is also artistically exceptional at each of his job descriptions, all while playing host to the lucky guests who got to be a part of the fully functional bar on stage through the most distant corners of the lawn.

The 100 or so minutes in Tinley Park also included loads of selfies, guitar pick tosses, a circular runway, a b-stage at the back of the house, plus collaborations with opening acts Tyler Farr and Maddie & Tae. There was even a virtual duet with Demi Lovato on the current country to pop crossover single “Without A Fight” and a FaceTime call with Carrie Underwood, who sang her portion of the chilling “Remind Me” (accompanied by a shout out to Illinois and a little ribbing to her longtime pal).

Of course, the singer/songwriter/guitarist is also artistically exceptional at each of his job descriptions, all while playing host to the lucky guests who got to be a part of the fully functional bar on stage through the most distant corners of the lawn. A massive screen served a major role in broadcasting all the action, along with familiar imagery such as the American flag, college football, members of the band Alabama and a water skiing squirrel that’s helped made Paisley a mainstay for anyone who’s ever crossed paths with CMT or country radio.

And for the unconverted, the headliner also defied genre stereotypes on several occasions, riff rumbling like a rock star throughout “American Saturday Night” or “Mud On The Tires” and dropping witty cultural references throughout “Online” or “Celebrity.” Come “Southern Comfort Zone,” the West Virginia native spoke fondly of both his roots and world travels, hinting he wouldn’t be quite the same person without such a broad perspective, which in turn has surely contributed to his status as one of the most relatable and reputable rockin’ country voices of today.

Click here for more Brad Paisley with Tyler Farr and Maddie & Tae photos from the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre.

For additional information on Brad Paisley, visit BradPaisley.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre include Florida Georgia Line (Sept. 17). For additional details, visit LiveNation.com.