TOBY'S TAILGATER

July 25, 2010

Crowds gathered in Vancouver this weekend to enjoy the annual Celebration of Lights, but the country fans that packed Rogers Arena Sunday night were also treated to a pyro-techniques show as Toby Keith crossed the border bringing his American Ride Tour to Canada's West Coast.

Entering in the flatbed of a Ford truck, with his guitar and red, plastic beverage cup, Keith kicked off the tailgate party with fireworks, smoke and “Bullets in the Gun”.

The venue was filled with cowboy hats, boots and country music enthusiasts, who were entertained by the patriotic American country star with a twenty-song set that included some of his most memorable hit singles.

Setting the stage for his friend, was fellow roughneck, former oil field worker and country star Trace Adkins. The veteran worked the stage like a Hulk Hogan of country music, impressing the audience with his chiseled physique and deep baritone voice that still makes the women swoon.

A main draw in his own right, the Louisiana native who first burst onto the scene over a decade ago armed with a platinum-selling album, continues to grow his devotees with his powerful voice, relatable lyrics and appealing rock/country blend.

With 27 singles landing on Billboard’s country music charts, the burly crooner has no trouble filling an 11-song set with crowd favourites including “You’re Gonna Miss This”, which inspired fans to sing along and square dance in the aisles.

A recognizable face in country, Adkins further raised his profile and over $750,000 for his charity by finishing as runner up on Donald Trump’s hit show “Celebrity Apprentice” in 2008.

Making the night of one lucky floor fan, the Southern charmer, who's latest studio effort Cowboy's Back in Town is set for release later this summer, rewarded her for dancing the middle set away by giving her his cowboy hat as a souvenir.

Hitting the road to promote 2009's American Ride and test the waters for his next album due out in October, Keith remains consistently dedicated to his craft, his country and his fans. It's a successful formula that has seen him remain at the top of the country music charts since his debut album in 1993.

As the singer-songwriter who hails from Oklahoma, dug into his catalogue, the back of the arena, behind the floor seats turned into a ho-down with fans taking advantage of the make-shift dance floor to jive to hits such as “Whiskey Girl” and “I Wanna Talk About Me”.

The simple stage that guests Adkins and Jaron and the Long Road Home used, opened up to reveal a multi-platform band area which prominently featured a Ford F-Series truck.

With over 30 million albums sold to his name, Keith catered to his crowd doling out hits "Get Drunk and Be Somebody", "Kiss Me Like This" and off his upcoming album Bullets in the Gun, "Trailerhood".

The hitmaker ended the night with some recognition for the troops overseas, performing "American Soldier" before being joined on stage by Adkins for the show's final encore, "Angry American".

The Canadian audience seemed to enjoy every minute of Keith's American Ride.