Marathon Music Works in Nashville, Tennessee was packed from wall to wall with excited country music fans on Friday night for a special Pandora Country event. Promising a “Hell of a Night,” Pandora provided performances by Black River Entertainment and Billboard Top 5 artist Kelsea Ballerini; Broken Bow Records artist Dustin Lynch; and Broken Bow married duo Thompson Square. The promise was one which Pandora easily satisfied, filling the three-hour show with hit songs, high-energy performances, and personable artists.
Kicking off the night was Black River’s golden child, Kelsea Ballerini. With a current Top 5 hit on radio (“Love Me Like You Mean It”) and a debut full-length album (The First Time) that likewise entered the Billboard chart in the Top 5, Kelsea had a set list that famously represented her songwriting, singing, and performing talents, much to the fans’ delight. Also incorporated in her opening set was a 1990s-2000s pop medley of artists such as Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, *NSync, Christina Aguilera, and Destiny’s Child. Encouraging the fans to participate with her as she sang the fan-adored “Dibs” and her hit single, Kelsea reveled in each moment she could see and hear the crowd joining along to belt her cleverly written lyrics.
Dustin Lynch followed Kelsea, entering the stage to a rowdy bunch that was ready to show the Broken Bow artist that (yep yep) Marathon Music Works was where it was at on Friday night. It was immediately clear that Dustin was ready to pick up the party where Kelsea left off, as the hit-maker performed old and new tunes, including “Cowboys and Angels,” “She Cranks My Tractor,” “Where It’s At,” and current single “Hell of a Night.” Female fans rejoiced as Dustin attentively covered the entire stage and played to all areas of the audience, while males danced along and raised their drinks out of respect for the budding superstar. Bringing an exorbitant amount of heat to the already warm venue, Dustin kept the energy up for his label mates who closed the show.
Serving as the Pandora Country finale was the husband and wife duo who posed the ever-so-popular question: “Are you gonna kiss me or not?” Shawna and Keifer Thompson sang along side one another, as well as to each other, before a group that was mesmerized by their radiating love and seamless harmonies. The two covered all their bases, ensuring that no beloved hit went unsung and no fan left the building feeling a musical void. Sharing tweets that included hashtags such as #RelationshipGoals, Thompson Squared supporters couldn’t get enough of their favorite duo and, if their performance is at all indicative of how they feel about their fans, the feeling was certainly mutual!
While the Pandora Country show at Marathon Music Works in Nashville was free of charge, the quality of entertainment was unquantifiable. A unique environment with an open bar, photograph opportunities, and souvenir giveaways were the icing on top of the perfect three-tiered cake of performances, proving to Music City that Pandora Country truly appreciates its customers. And, believe us, we, too, appreciate you, Pandora Country! Thank you for your hospitality and a wonderful evening!
Photograph credit: Pandora Country / Getty Images
