Carter’s Chord and KingBilly Hit the Right Notes on Chevy Music Stage

(contributed by Hillary Evans)

On Sunday, June 13, the hottest day of the CMA Music Festival, fans braved special heat advisories issued by the National Weather Service in order to watch a final day of great music on the Chevy Music Stage at Bridgestone Plaza.

Carter’s Chord hit the stage ready to go Sunday afternoon, June 13. The band, consisting of sisters Becky, Emily, and Joanna Robertson, provided amazing harmonies and showcased their musical chops by playing a variety of instruments such as the guitar, keyboard and accordion.

The girls’ smooth tunes were balanced by KingBilly’s set, which got fans up and dancing along to the electrifying and often bluesy guitar riffs powered by drummer Kevin Weaver’s strong beat. Lead vocalist Donny Fallgatter set the mood by opening up the set by shouting to a crowd primed to scream affirmatively, “Are you guys ready for a 20-minute party?” The band, made up Fallgatter, dobro player and vocalist Josh Matheny, guitar player John Osborne, bass player Matt Utterback and Weaver, then played rockin’ country songs including “I Wanna Come Back as Her Beer” and “Stompin’  Ground,” as well as the opening song from “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air” and the theme song from the video game “Super Mario Brothers.”

Apparently KingBilly decided the crowd was up for anything, as the set ended with the energetic and dynamic Fallgatter climbing up the ladder on the side of the stage to sing the final song, which prompted several security guards to rush over in case things took a turn for the worse. Fortunately, the set concluded without incident.

Tyler Miller, 14, of South Haven, Miss. enjoyed every moment of the concert. Wearing a cowboy hat covered with artist autographs, Miller admitted his main goal during the Festival was “to meet as many artists as possible.” But KingBilly was on the top of his list. “They are my favorite band,” said Miller, whose favorite KingBilly song is “Make Her Bad.” “I would love to meet them.