Qwest Center Tickets

Allen Rocked Last Night, Prepare to Laugh Tonight

Gary Allen sure knew how to get the Qwest Center crowd moving last night.  Allen played mostly his old hit songs and played them with an energy not normally seen by a country artist.  He had 4 guitarists total in the band and used each and every one to create a large, powerful sound.  There was a large crowd for Allen due in large part to the successful rodeo that took place before it.

Tonight Kellie Pickler and Bill Engvall will perform.  Expect a short set with Pickler as they have to fit in her performance and Engvall's stand up routine.  Make sure to stick around for Bill Engvall.  You won't be disappointed with his family oriented material which in one way or another will relate to your family life.  Feel free to take your kids to the show, Engvall's show is family friendly and Kellie Pickler will surely put on a fantastic show.

River City Roundup Starts Today

The annual River City Roundup kicks off the festivities today in the Qwest Center.  There are too many events to list but a few popular ones going on in the next few days are the: Barbecue contest, Chainsaw carving, and my favorite the Rodeo.  Make sure to get down to the Qwest and the fairgrounds to take advantage of these family friendly activities.

The opening night will get kicked off with the first round of the ProRodeo playoff and a concert by country star Gary Allen.  The rodeo starts at 7 and Allen will likely come on around 8:30 or 9:00 tonight.  Allen's set should show off mostly his earlier work and some songs off his new album Living Hard.

For a complete list of events and times visit the River City Roundup website.  Don't forget your Cowboy hat!

River City Roundup Spotlight: Trace Adkins

Trace Adkins will be showing off his country stylings this Saturday at the Qwest Center to "round out" the River City Roundup concert series.  Adkins is arguably one of the most recognized country stars in America.  He has been topping the charts since 1996 and will be releasing his ninth album either late this year or early next year.

Like Gary Allen, who is playing tomorrow night, Adkins sound is based on a traditional country music sound.  Adkins is known for writing a wide variety of songs ranging from the serious "Arlington" which talks from a fallen soldiers view to the silly "Honkey Tonk Badonkadonk" which talks about the back sides of woman country music fans.

River City Roundup Spotlight: Kellie Pickler

Fresh off a tour with country star Brad Paisley, former American Idol star Kellie Pickler will perform Friday at River City Roundup in the Qwest Center.  Pickler, who placed 6th on the 2006 season of American Idol has had a string of successes that most American Idol finalists don't see.

Pickler released a country CD last year on Halloween and received critical and fan praise.  She has been compared to Carrie Underwood and Jessica Simpson on her looks and singing ability.  Currently she is shooting a pilot for TV thats based around her growing up in the south and finding out her real biological father is the Governor.

Pickler is sure to put on a great show at the Qwest on Friday.  She will perform before comedian Bill Engvall (see below) and will showcase her bubbly personality and pop/country music styles that led her to success in the first place.

River City Roundup Spotlight: Bill Engvall

Bill Engvall will perform at the Qwest Center on Friday, September 28 as a part of the River City Roundup taking place in Omaha.  Engvall is a comedian best known for his role in the Blue Collar Comedy tour along with Jeff Foxworthy and Nebraska native Larry the Cable Guy.

Engvall will be a perfect fit for River City Roundup.  His comedy is geared towards parents and families.  Most of his material comes from his daily life with his family and the struggles that come with it (he even made a TV show about this.)

Engvall is currently touring in support of his latest stand up comedy CD 15 Degree Off Cool.  As good as the CD is, I would recommend buying the CD at the show or after as you do not want the jokes ruined because you have heard them already.

River City Roundup Spotlight: Gary Allen

Gary Allen will be performing at the Qwest Center next Thursday, September 27.  Gary Allen is a country music star known for his traditional country tunes, good looks, and unconventional voice.  Allen's songs are very distinctive, the music is obviously country driven, but most hardcore country fans can instantly name a Allen tune.  He has sold over 5 million albums worldwide and has had 9 #1 singles.

He will bring his exciting live show to the Qwest to finish out the festivities of day one of the River City Roundup.  Allen, and his sleek cowboy hat will fit the bill perfectly (no pun intended).  Allen is known for putting on exciting live shows and never shies away from getting a little wild on stage.

Hannah Montana Visits Qwest in October

Popular Disney star Miley Cyrus (Hannah Montana) will perform on Tuesday, October 23 at the Qwest Center.  Cyrus will perform songs as herself as well as perform in character as her most famous role of Hannah Montana.

Miley Cyrus is no doubt a childs star and her show is geared toward kids.  She has released two albums that come from her character on her show Hannah Montana.  In the show Cyrus plays a normal girl with a pop star alter ego named Hannah Montana.  Her first album was the only TV soundtrack to ever reach the #1 spot on the billboard charts.

Tickets to the Qwest Center Hannah Montana show sold out in 35 minutes and have been selling out just as fast in other cities.  She is embarking on a 54 date tour that starts in St. Louis five days before the Qwest Center show.

Elvis Costello Will Support Dylan

Bob Dylan isn't the only one that will fill up the Qwest Center October 26.  Elvis Costello will open for Dylan and will be sure to draw his own crowd as well as please the Dylan crowd.

Costello is not known for his big hits and some people can't even sing a Elvis Costello tune if they were asked.  But his name is always recognized because he has been making traditional rock and roll for over 30 years.

Seen as one of the pioneers of punk along with the Sex Pistols and the Ramones in the late seventies Costello quickly showed that punk music and rock and roll are frighteningly similar.  He moved punk into what is now known as New Wave music.

Costello's music is straight forward rock and roll that leaves you feeling happy at the end of the songs.  He is not a lyrical master like Bob Dylan, but he will get you on your feet dancing and smiling at the Qwest Center instead.

Andre Rieu & The Johann Strauss Orchestra

Andre Rieu and the Johann Strauss Orchestra will perform in the Qwest Center in Omaha a month from today on October 18.  Rieu is a famous for his violin talents and conducting and composing skills.  He is largely responsible for the resurgence of the waltz style of music and is attributed with bringing classical music into the new millennium.

Rieu started playing the violin at age five in Maastricht, Netherlands.  Since then he has created the world famous Johann Strauss Orchestra that travels and performs with him.  When he started the orchestra in 1987 it consisted of 12 members, today its numbers are in the 40s or 50s.

In the 90s Rieu found his popularity in Europe and Canada, though thanks to some PBS specials Rieu has captured the hearts of the US.  He is famous for acting like a typical rock star and his wavy long hair.

More information on Andre Rieu's performance at the Qwest Center will come next month.

River City Roundup will ride through Qwest

In late September the fun and frenzy that make up the River City Roundup will once again come to Qwest Center.  All the events will take place between September 27-30 and will include such activities as concerts, rodeos and food contests.

All of the events are free except for the rodeos and concerts.  There will be concerts in the Qwest Center for the first three nights.  The first night will feature country musician Gary Allen on the 27th.  On the second night comedian Bill Engvall will perform along with American Idol finalist Kellie Pickler.  Trace Adkins will play his special blend of country and pop on the 29th.

In the upcoming days I will preview the different concerts and stand up acts.  I'll let you know which ones to go to and which ones to skip.