Photos by Andy Argyrakis

In the three decades since she became a megastar as a mere 13-year-old, LeAnn Rimes maintained a pretty constant presence on the country, pop and contemporary Christian charts, in addition to becoming an author, actress, winner of “The Masked Singer” and mentor on “The Voice.”

However, there was something extra special about her “Blue” debut, which is currently celebrating its 30th birthday on a tour that visited the landmark Genesee Theatre in Waukegan alongside a five-piece band.

It was a full house as the headliner took the elegant stage to the title track, then proceeded to intermingle others off the sextuple-platinum/double Grammy Award-winning project and several subsequent eras.

They included “One Way Ticket (Because I Can),” “My Baby,” “Life Goes On” and “Probably Wouldn’t Be This Way,” plus a segment of the “Coyote Ugly” soundtrack standouts “But I Do Love You,” “Please Remember Me” and “The Right Kind Of Wrong.”
 
Rimes continued awing the audience with a remarkable range throughout “The Light In Your Eyes,” “Hurt Me,” and from the same ultra-famous film, “Can’t Fight The Feeling” when many leapt to their feet.

Even so, nothing was arguably more iconic than the soaring and enduring ballad “How Do I Live,” followed a return to the main record for “Fade To Blue,” demonstrating an even richer vocal quality and believability now that the sterling soprano is all grown up, though still very much in her performance prime.

For the encore, Rimes offered a remake of the Bonnie Raitt-popularized “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” slaying the ballad as if it were an original and giving everyone exiting the Genesee yet another stylized dose of something to talk about.

For additional information on LeAnn Rimes, visit LeAnnRimes.com.

Upcoming shows at the Genesee Theatre include Alice Cooper (Nov. 8); Shaun Cassidy (Nov. 13); Patti LaBelle (Nov. 14); Sara Evans (Nov. 19); Black Violin (Nov. 20); Mannheim Steamroller (Dec. 5); Tyler Henry (Dec. 6); Gavin DeGraw (Dec. 11); Eve 6, Fastball, Blessid Union Of Souls and The Click Five (Dec. 12); Dancenter North: “The Magic Of The Nutcracker” (Dec. 17-18); The Temptations (Jan. 8); The Music Of Billy Joel And Elton John Starring Michael Cavanaugh (Jan. 14); Rob Thomas (Jan. 23); Warrant and Great White (Feb. 6); Air Supply (Feb. 7); You’ve Still Got A Friend (Feb. 19) and “Sesame Street” Live! (Feb. 28). For additional details, visit GeneseeTheatre.com.

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