Club Nokia gets a little 'Chicken Fried'

Little Big Town and the Zac Brown Band bring some country flavor to the city.


Georgia native Zac Brown brought his Southern style to Los Angeles this past week, when the Zac Brown Band opened for fellow Southerners, Little Big Town. The Zac Brown Band opened with the smooth sounds of "Whatever It Is," which, like the lyrics, blew all in attendance away.

They worked their way through a well-tuned set that included songs mostly from their chart topping debut album, "The Foundation." Midway through their set a tribute to the Charlie Daniel's Band was performed playing an awe-inspiring rendition of "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" featuring amazing fiddle work from Jimmy De Martini.

When the opening notes of crowd favorite "Toes" came through the speakers, the entire venue rose to their feet. The crowd continued dancing in the aisles all the way through the final notes of their No.1 hit "Chicken Fried."

Zac Brown Band definitely "gets it." Not only do they produce great music, they also understand this new digital age we live in. Several times throughout their show they thanked their fans from MySpace and Facebook. Fans of Zac Brown can keep up with the band on their current tour by following them on Twitter @zacbrownband.

Following a brief intermission, the curtains opened to Little Big Town and their fast pace song "Good Lord Willing" from the new release "A Place to Land."

The set also featured many of the favorites from their 2005 release "The Road to Here" including "Good As Gone," "Bones" and "A Little More You."

Little Big Town features the powerful sounds of four diverse vocalists. Front women Kimberly Schlapman and Karen Fairchild share lead vocals on many of the songs, while Jimi Westbook and Phillip Sweet provide unique harmonies and occasional leads, all while providing guitar support.

The foursome worked the crowd through a powerful set, but it was clear that opening act Zac Brown Band had already stole the show, after performing an amazing set.

It is no wonder why Zac Brown Band was named "Best New Vocal Duo or Group" two days later at the Academy of Country Music Award Show in Las Vegas.

For those who missed this wonderful show, catch the Zac Brown Band and Little Big Town, along with many other country music stars at the upcoming Stagecoach festival in Indio on April 25-26. For more information visit www.stagecoachfestival.com.