After a somewhat chilly week in Tampa, 15,000 diehard Blake Shelton fans gathered at Amalie arena for sold-out show that really heated things up.
Lauren Alaina started things off and moved side-to-side on stage smiling as if all her dreams had come true. After a few songs she paused, told us about being born in 1994 and the kind of music she grew up with. That led into her newest single “Ladies in the '90s.”
Photos of Blake Shelton and friends at Amalie Arena — 03.08.19
Shelton took to the stage with seven other band members and excitedly asked if “You guys ready for three hours of country music?” Shelton is always playing the guitar, even when he’s not holding one; this writer would definitely love to play air guitar with the guy.
“I’ve been coming to Tampa since 2001,” he excitedly pointed out before Alaina eventually came back on stage for a guest appearance. Shelton clearly stated how hard it was to keep up with her and her amazing voice. He then shared a photo of a young Alaina when she first met Shelton after a show. Apopka legend John Anderson came up for a few songs and the energy really stepped up a notch as he played “Seminole Wind.” Shelton even came back to congratulate the Floridians in the building.
“Congratulations Florida,” he said. “You’re the home of John Anderson.”
The Bellamy Brothers played three songs in the mixed-set performance, and the final guest of the night was Trace Adkins, who also played three songs. Shelton returned for a seven-song acoustic set and then took another moment before his two-song encore. All in all it was a long, but steady paced show that gave fans a great night of country music.
This article appears in Mar 7-14, 2019.