Photos by Rebecca Clark | Review by Rebecca Clark & Renee Clark Quade
Country music fans packed into the brand-new The ForX venue in Wayland, New York on July 17th as nearly 2,000 people gathered for a night of great Country Music led by Cooper Alan. The evening wasn’t just about the headliner; it showcased three incredibly talented acts that each brought something unique to the stage.
Opening the evening were Finger Lakes’ own Claudia Hoyser and Ryan Hurley. Seeing the local duo open for a show of this size was such a gratifying moment. Judging by the number of fans sporting Claudia’s merch throughout the crowd, plenty of people came out specifically to support her, while many others got to experience her music for the first time.
Claudia even made shopping for merchandise a little more fun by holding a raffle. Anyone wearing her merch, or purchasing something that night, was entered to win a basket filled with goodies including a vinyl record, her signature coffee, a shirt, hat and more. It was a clever way to reward longtime supporters while encouraging new fans to become part of the Claudia Hoyser crew.
As always, Claudia looked incredible on stage. Her jean shorts paired with a sparkly brown top created the perfect country summer look, while her jewelry added just the right finishing touches. One detail we especially loved was her Carter cowboy boots featuring her initials on the back soles. Anyone familiar with Claudia’s songwriting knows she pays attention to every little detail, and it’s clear that same thoughtfulness carries over into her stage style.
Even with just Claudia and Ryan on stage, the duo created a full, rich sound. Ryan’s ability to layer guitar loops live continues to amaze us, making it feel like there’s a much larger band behind them. It’s something we’ve admired for years, and every performance reminds us just how talented he is.
Claudia’s voice continues to be one of the strongest in the regional country scene, but what really makes her performances special is the connection she builds with the audience. She shares stories behind the songs, jokes with the crowd, and somehow makes a large venue feel just as intimate as one of her smaller hometown shows.
Their set featured several originals, including “Girl in Blue” and “North of Spring,” along with a fun cover of Kacey Musgraves’ “Dry Spell.” The song’s playful lyrics fit Claudia’s personality perfectly, and you could tell she was having a blast performing it.
They wrapped up their set with “Big Sky” and “Tides Gonna Rise.” Before playing “Big Sky,” Claudia shared the story behind the song, explaining that she and Ryan got engaged in Big Sky, Montana, making it a place they’ll always hold close to their hearts. Before starting the song, Claudia joked that their September wedding plans were still on, assuming she didn’t scare Ryan away before then.
It was a fun glimpse into Claudia’s humor and the easygoing dynamic between the two. Their chemistry is unique, and watching them perform together makes it obvious how naturally they complement one another. We always love seeing Claudia pick up her guitar for “Big Sky,” and the song feels even more meaningful knowing the story behind the place that inspired it.
The second act of the evening was Jenna Davis, who took the stage with her three-piece band. We loved seeing Cooper Alan bring two female artists out to open for him, giving fans a chance to discover some incredible talent before the headlining set.
Jenna looked every bit the country-pop star in a gold seashell-shaped sequined mini dress paired with cowboy boots with heels. From the moment she walked on stage, her confidence stood out. She constantly acknowledged fans throughout the crowd, pointing, waving, and smiling while never missing a note.
Her backing band was equally impressive. Drummer Mia Morris was an absolute force behind the kit, playing flawlessly while wearing a huge smile the entire set. Guitarist Dylan Smith added plenty of energy as well, sharing fun moments with Jenna throughout the performance. The chemistry between the three musicians was evident, making the performance feel effortless.
Songs like “Really Bad Kisser” showcased Jenna’s fun country-pop style while carrying a bit of that ’90s country twang. She also performed hits including “6FT” while highlighting much of the songs on Where Did That Girl Go album, such as “Miss Wannabe,” and “Fun Dip.” She also did a cover of the Hannah Montana theme song “The Best of Both worlds” and Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep.”
One of the sweetest moments came after her performance. Rather than disappearing backstage, Jenna headed straight to the merch table where she spent time signing autographs and taking photos with fans. Watching the excitement on the faces of the young girls waiting to meet her was heartwarming. Jenna made sure every fan had their moment, showing just how much she appreciates the people who support her music.
After two incredible opening performances, the anticipation for Cooper Alan’s arrival was obvious as fans packed the front of the stage and waited for the night’s headliner to bring the party.
He opened with “BOS,” beginning the song seated behind the keyboard before jumping to his feet as the song built. It didn’t take long before he was off the stage entirely, finding an older gentleman in the front row and pouring a beer into his mouth. The fan couldn’t stop smiling after and he clearly enjoyed the moment and the beer!
That’s one thing about a Cooper Alan show: you never know what he’s going to do next.
Throughout the night, he constantly pulled fans into the experience. During “Can’t Dance,” he challenged everyone to show off their worst dance moves. The crowd happily accepted the challenge, and two lucky winners earned the chance to shotgun beers. Moments like these are what separate his concerts from simply watching someone perform songs.
Before playing “Dale Dickens,” Cooper dedicated it to everyone’s ex that sucks, setting up one of the funniest moments of the night. His personality shines between songs just as much as it does during them, making fans feel like they’re hanging out with an old friend instead of watching a concert.
He also made sure to recognize the artists who played before him, asking the audience to give Claudia Hoyser and Jenna Davis another round of applause and calling them “bad ass women.” It was a genuine moment that showed the respect he has for the musicians sharing the stage with him.
Musically, Cooper continues to grow every time we see him. He’s always been an entertaining performer, but each tour seems to reveal another level of confidence and musicianship. Whether he’s behind the piano, playing guitar, or running across the stage interacting with fans, it’s clear he’s continuing to sharpen every aspect of his live show rather than simply riding the momentum of his success.
His band deserves plenty of credit as well. Bassist Tom Lohrmann brings incredible energy every second he’s on stage, locking in with drummer Darius Fant, whose drumming provides the foundation that keeps everything tight. Guitarist Scott Inkley is simply fun to watch, shredding through solos while adding another level of excitement to the performance.
One standout musical moment came when Cooper blended the intro of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama” into “Feel Like Hell Today,” earning loud cheers from the audience before launching into the song.
Throughout the night Cooper proved why his fan base continues to grow. His songwriting, musicianship, and willingness to make every fan feel like part of the show create an atmosphere that’s hard to replicate. We even spotted him watching Claudia and Ryan’s set before his own, a small but meaningful gesture that speaks volumes about the kind of artist he is.
Perhaps the biggest testament to the night came at the very end. Almost no one left early. In an era where many concertgoers head for the parking lot before the encore to beat traffic, fans stayed until the final song. That’s likely because Cooper’s audience isn’t simply showing up to hear a couple of radio hits, they’re there because they’re genuine fans who want to experience the entire show.
For a relatively new venue, The ForX couldn’t have asked for a better night. With nearly 2,000 people filling the grounds and two outstanding opening performances leading into Cooper Alan’s high-energy set, it felt like the beginning of something special for live music in Wayland, NY.
Claudia Hoyser and Ryan Hurley Photo Gallery
Jenna Davis Photo Galley
Cooper Alan Photo Gallery
