July 25, 2024

Artists, Country, Country Artists, Country Music, Photo Galleries, Show Reviews

| Tags: CMAC, concert photography, country music, Dierks Bentley, Mae Estes, Marty Stuart, Music Photos, photo gallery, Show Reviews

Photos and Review by Rebecca Clark

On July 20th, CMAC in Canandaigua, NY, was buzzing with energy as Dierks Bentley took the stage for a night that balanced heart and humor. The evening kicked off with opening performances by Mae Estes and Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives, setting a dynamic tone for the night.

Mae Estes, the opening act, charmed the audience with her genuine, down-to-earth presence. At one point, a fan held up a sign for her, and you could see the excitement on her face. She performed her song “Thinkin’ About Cheating,” which has sparked some controversy on TikTok, but the crowd at CMAC responded positively to her authenticity. We loved how real and raw her performance felt, and it’s clear she’s an artist who isn’t afraid to wear her heart on her sleeve. Her connection with the audience was visible, and it was great to see fans there to support her, even as the opener for Bentley. Her band sounded fantastic, and they seemed to be having a blast on stage. Estes is a talented singer-songwriter, and we look forward to seeing her on more tours in the future.

Next up, Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives delivered a masterclass in musicianship, showcasing their deep roots in classic country. Stuart’s mandolin added a rich texture to a bluesy number, while their bassist, Paul Martin, took the spotlight for a song of his own. Drummer Harry Stinson provided both rhythm and a unique soundscape by making noises with his cheeks during one song, a playful moment that added to the band’s old-school charm. The group, decked out in bedazzled Western Nudie suits, paid homage to country legends with covers like Woody Guthrie’s “Pretty Boy Floyd” and George Jones’ “The Old, Old House,” the latter of which Stuart introduced with a heartfelt story about his first meeting with Jones.

As the headliner, Dierks Bentley did not disappoint. He made a grand entrance through a door on stage, bathed in a bright light with his logo gleaming like gold—a nod to his “Gravel and Gold” tour, named after his latest album. Bentley’s set felt personal despite the large crowd, as he took time to talk between songs, sharing stories about spending the day on Canandaigua Lake and the experiences that inspired his song “Living.”

Bentley also made sure his band got their moment in the spotlight, particularly Charlie Worsham, who pretended to hijack the stage putting Bentley’s mic low and stepping in front of him to sing a rendition of a Garth Brooks’ “Callin’ Baton Rouge.” The brotherhood was evident as Bentley celebrated each band member’s individual achievements, making it clear that this tour is a collective effort.

In true Dierks Bentley fashion, the show was as much about fun as it was about music. At one point, Bentley shotgun a beer on stage, inviting a female fan to join him, and during “Somewhere on a Beach,” he handed out beers to the entire front row, even tossing some to fans farther back. He closed the main set with his breakout hit “What Was I Thinkin’,” leaving the crowd wanting more.

The encore was a wild ride. Bentley returned as his “alter ego,” Captain Holden Johnson, for “Drunk on a Plane,” complete with a pilot uniform and visuals that mimicked a pilot’s view from the cockpit. The Mardi Gras vibe was in full swing as Bentley tossed beads and even had a bra he had tucked into his jacket.

The night ended on a nostalgic note with Bentley and his band donning retro clothing for a 90s country mashup, courtesy of his parody group, Hot Country Knights. Bentley’s other “alter ego,” Doug Douglason, led the charge with covers of Tim McGraw’s “I Like It, I Love It,” Billy Ray Cyrus’ “Achy Breaky Heart,” and Shania Twain’s “Man! I Feel Like A Woman!” among others. The set was a hilarious and heartfelt tribute to the decade, wrapping up the show with Garth Brooks’ “Friends In Low Places” as the ultimate sing-along.

Overall, the night was a perfect blend of stellar musicianship, personal connections, and pure, unadulterated fun—everything you’d expect from a Dierks Bentley show and more.