Looking Back on Leap Day 2020: Dustin Lynch at Turning Stone
Looking back on Leap Day 2020 at the Turning Stone Casino, we were lucky to have Dustin Lynch give Verona “one hell of a night” of country music. Dustin made the extra day of 2020 that much more special for all of those in attendance that night.
Opening the show was county newcomer Travis Denning. Denning may be new to country fans, but he is a natural performer and owns the stage. Denning had the crowd in the palm of his hand with his southern Georgia charm and his personal interaction with them. He is an amazing songwriter and shreds while playing guitar. He closed his set with his current hit single “After a Few.”
After a short break, the lights went out and the crowd cheered loudly when the guitar riffs of “Ridin’ Roads” (Lynch’s first single off of his latest album Tullahoma) echoed through the event center. When the lights came on Lynch began singing and the crowd threw their hands and beers in the air out of pure excitement.
In between breaks, Lynch made the show an intimate experience by sharing tid bits about a few his songs and why he wrote them. He proudly called his latest album Tullahoma after his hometown where he grew up because Tullahoma made him who he is today.
While performing his song that has a duet with Lauren Alaina, Lynch asked if any of the ladies in the audience knew how to sing Lauren’s part enough to come up and sing it with him. Lynch chose a young girl named Danielle who had never sung in front of an audience before. Danielle was nervous right at the beginning, but Lynch simply said “I got you,” guiding her through the entire song. Overall Danielle did an amazing job and it was a fun unique experience versus a typical video of an artist that usually happens during a duet at a country show.
Lynch brought Denning back on stage to sing Joe Diffie’s “Pick up Man.” Following that Lynch paused to play the video from when he was inducted into The Grand Old Opry. Lynch said it was one of the coolest moments in his life and that is why he wanted to share it with the audience.
Before playing a stripped-down acoustic version of “Cowboys and Angels,” showing even more of a glimpse of who Lynch is, he shared that he wrote “Cowboys and Angels” about his grandparents and their 60-year relationship.
After that Lynch called out the rest of the band and they went on to play “Honky Tonk” style, throwing back to a time before his songs started climbing the charts. They performed old school country songs “Check Yes or No” by George Strait, and Travis Tritt’s “Great Day to be Alive.” During the “Honkey Tonk” set, Lynch brought out writer Josh Mirenda who was on the road with him writing new songs. Mirenda co-wrote Dierks Bentley’s “Somewhere on a Beach,” which he, Lynch and the band did a rendition of before closing the “Honkey Tonk” set.
Winding down the set, Lynch took selfies with fans during “Good Girl,” then played “Seeing Red” and closed the set with “Small Town Boy.”
Travis Denning announced earlier in the show that he would be at the merchandise booth after his set and the show. He was true to his word and stayed over an hour after the show signing autographs and taking photos with fans. It was amazing to see Denning being patient, but the staff at Turning Stone was very accommodating and allowed him to take the time to meet and greet all of his new fans.
Dustin Lynch’s headlining shows have evolved since he first began performing. He is a truly talented songwriter and entertainer that has honed his craft to put on one of the best shows a country music fan could hope for.
Lynch’s set was on fire like his new video for “Momma’s House,” which you can check out below.
Dustin Lynch Set list:
Ridin’ Roads
Working on You
Where It’s At
Mind Reader
Momma’s House
Blame It/Hell of a Night
I’d Be Jealous Too/This Love
Dirt Road
I was Thinkin’ Bout You
She Cranks My Tractor/Pickup Man
The World Ain’t Yours and Mine
Country Star
Cowboys and Angels
Acoustic: Check Yes or No (George Strait cover), Great Day to Be Alive (Travis Tritt cover)
Somewhere on a Beach (Dierks Bentley cover with writer Josh Mirenda)
Good Girl
Seein’ Red
Small Town Boy
