Sony Boat Show Keeps On Rolling

Brad Paisley and REO Speedwagon

Celebrating its 27th year, Sony Music Nashville’s General Jackson Show & Dinner Cruise on Thursday night (Feb. 28) offered attendees performances from many of the label’s diverse roster and ended the evening with a very special guest.

Sara Evans and Sony Music Chairman/CEO Gary Overton began the festivities with Radio Ink’s Lois Chooljian honoring the 2013 class of Best Country Radio Program Directors.

Miranda Lambert kicked off the evening with “Mama’s Broken Heart” after sharing with the crowd, “this is my first time to start the boat and I’m very excited!” She then brought out husband and Warner Music Nashville’s Blake Shelton to perform their duet and 2012 CMA Song of the Year, “Over You.” Shelton admitted he never thought he would ever be performing on the Sony boat.

Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley joined Lambert (forming the Pistol Annies) and performed “Hell on Heels” and a new song, “Hush, Hush” from their upcoming album. After host Gary Overton joked that not everyone gets to come on the boat, television producer Simon Cowell introduced via video 2012’s The X Factor winner Tate Stevens who delivered his upcoming single, “Power of a Love Song.”

Pictured (L-R): Ashley Monroe, Kelly Clarkson, Angaleena Presley and Miranda Lambert

Sporting a life jacket, Brad Paisley appeared on stage and quickly had the guests laughing as he bantered with Overton about being prepared for any mishap on the boat. Paisley introduced upcoming tour mates, The Henningsens who performed “American Beautiful” and “To Believe.” Next up was Jerrod Niemann stepping up for “Only God Could Love You More” and his No. 1 hit “Lover, Lover.” Chris Young performed “I Can Take It From There” and thanked RCA “for sticking with me” followed by his new song, “Aw Naw.”

Kelly Clarkson delivered “Don’t Rush” with Jason Sellers and performed her new song “Ain’t Gonna Like This,” backed by the Pistol Annies. Two words: standing ovation. Brad Paisley returned to the stage offering up his new single, “Beat This Summer,” before the special guest for the evening was introduced.

REO Speedwagon surprised the crowd performing “Take It On The Run” and being joined by Evans. Lead singer Kevin Cronin shared with the guests, “the line between rock and country has never been grayer.” The legends continued with such mega hits as “Music Man,” “Keep On Loving You,” and “Time For Me To Fly.” The finale brought out the Sony Nashville artists as they performed “Roll With The Changes.”

The boat had docked, but we were indeed still rollin’.