Before Blackhawk took the stage on Friday night at the Grizzly Rose, Todd Freeman and Bullet Proof put together a set list that made Traditional Country Music lovers ecstatic.
Hailing from East Texas, Todd Freeman fronted this 7-piece band that played Texas Country ripe for the Honky Tonks.
Todd Freeman and Bullet Proof had Todd Freeman on Vocals, Tommy Thomas on Lead Guitar, Dicky Woods on Steel Guitar, Steve DeVries on Acoustic Guitar and Vocals, Jim Bell on Drums, Dan Emmett on Fiddle and Jon Wren on Bass and Vocals.
Songs included covers of Stoney Larue’s Oklahoma Breakdown and another Okie, Wade Hayes’ Old Enough To Know Better, King George’s Write This Down, Eric Church’s Put A Drink In My Hand, Die A Happy Man, a newer song from Thomas Rhett, a couple of Texas Music covers of Direct Connect and You Should’ve Seen Her This Morning, and country classic Wagon Wheel. Dancers kept busy on the dance floor with these righteous Country tunes. They Finished their set with Gary Allan’s Right Where I Should Be.
They are Proof that country music can still be enjoyed without hearing all the current Bro bands that are on Country radio. Check their website, www.toddfreemanandbulletproof.com, for more information on this awesome band.
Blackhawk was King of the World in 90’s Country and they brought all the songs that have made the band mainstay Country Legends over the past 23 years. From start to finish Henry Paul and Dave Robbins and the rest of the band were spot on with their music and their voices. It’s like they haven’t ever aged even though Paul explained that he and drummer have been in a band together since 1972. The band played like it was the only show of the year for them. Henry Paul repeatedly went to the front of the stage to egg on the eager listeners. He also said that they weren’t going to be playing any of that sissy stuff (that’s on Country Radio these days).
Blackhawk started with Down In Flames and went straight into their first hit, Goodbye Says It All. The crowd loved it! Fans even caused a short pause in the show for being overzealous with their cheering during Not Strong Enough To Say No, to Paul’s delight.
Paul explained that The Bluest Eyes In Texas was written by former member Van Stephenson and Dave Robbins and that that song changed the course of Country Music as Restless Heart turned it into a hit. Robbins sang a stunning rendition. A few songs later, Paul spoke again about Van Stephenson’s death due to melanoma and that Blackhawk established the Van Stephenson Memorial Cancer Research Fund in his memory, donating the proceeds of their efforts to the Vanderbilt Cancer Research Center. Before his untimely death, Stephenson penned Ships Of Heaven which the band plays regularly in his memory.
They played a long show, but the crowd still wanted more. Blackhawk finished with Postmarked Birmingham and Big Guitar. What an awesome night of great country music!
[…] Read more about the show here. […]
todd Freeman and bullet proof is a awesome band if I could I would go see them every night love yas all great job to you’wont ever find a band like them
I sure hate I missed this,awesome show. Todd Freeman and Bullet Proof are a great sound band and just an all around awesome bunch. I have seen them several times and each show they seem to just get better. Thanks Grizzly Rose. For such a great write up hope I’ll make it next time
I am a Todd Freeman Bullet Proof FAn I live in BC Canada ,, they are an amazing group and ty for inviting them to you great Venue,, from what I seen and heard they did Awesome ,, MY Dream is to one Day get there to see them in person ty again
I have been listening to Blackhawk since the early 90’s and absolutely LOVE THEM…I introduced to Todd’s music in 2014 and thought his voice was beautiful and would take him were ever he set his mind to go… Friday night would have been a gift to anyone, both bands are wonderful