Sony Boat Show: Takin’ It To The Cumberland

Pictured (L-R): Sony Music Nashville Chairman & CEO Gary Overton, the Doobie Brothers’ Patrick Simmons, Sara Evans, Chris Young, Doobie Tom Johnston, Love and Theft’s Eric Gunderson, Doobie John McFee, Jerrod Niemann, Love and Theft’s Stephen Barker Liles, and Doobie Brothers Manager Bruce Cohen. Photo: Larry Boothby

You know a special night is about to happen when your greeter is Country artist Brad Paisley, shaking hands and giving hugs, as each invitee boarded the Sony Music Nashville’s 28th General Jackson Show & Dinner Cruise. Was this a planned part of the event? Nope, just Brad being Brad and we love him for it.

While much of the initial banter before the show centered on the impending “doom and gloom” from the weather headed our way, that topic quickly took a comedic turn as Sony Music Nashville Chairman/CEO Gary Overton introduced Nashville treasure and the night’s emcee, Gerry House, donned in an orange life preserver. “If this boat goes down, only me and Sara Evans will survive,” joked House who obviously had just seen her backstage.

The boat may have been securely docked for safety during the show, but it was definitely rocking on the inside with talent from the Sony Music label group roster. Paisley started the show with new music, followed by his current single, “Mona Lisa” which jumped to No. 9 on the MusicRow Chart this week.

After joking the safest place during a storm was the General Jackson, Gerry House’s jesting was alive and well and reminded all of us how much we miss hearing his repartee. Dee Jay Silver also brought a special twist to the evening spinning tunes during the sets.

The Swon Brothers were next performing “Pray For You” and their current single, “Later On,” followed by Leah Turner offering her current chart-climber “Take The Keys.” Love and Theft next sang “Angel Eyes” and their latest offering, new single “Night That You’ll Never Forget.”

When the always-gorgeous Sara Evans took the stage to perform, donned in a sexy, cleavage-revealing top, she smiled, shrugged, and referring to Gerry’s earlier comment, quipped, “I have no idea what he was talking about.” Sara performed “Stronger” and her new single, “Slow Me Down” which landed in the Top 10 on the MusicRow Chart this week. Jerrod Niemann was up next performing “Drink To That All Night” and “Buzz Back Girl.”

At the Sony Music Nashville Boat Show, Chairman & CEO Gary Overton surprised Miranda Lambert with a plaque commemorating the Platinum certification of each of her first four albums. (L-R): Lambert, Overton. Photo: Alan Poizner

While Blake Shelton watched and took pictures of his S.O. from the balcony, Miranda Lambert performed “Mama’s Broken Heart” followed by her new single “Automatic” which has leaped into the Top 30 this week on the MusicRow Chart in only its third week. Overton then came back on stage and surprised Lambert with a plaque commemorating the Platinum certification of each of her first four albums. “Holy Shit Balls!” Lambert exclaimed. “That’s all I can say.”

Chris Young took the stage and performed “Who I Am With You” and “Aw Naw,” and then introduced the night’s special surprise guest, the Doobie Brothers. Chris joined them on vocals for “China Grove” while General Jackson boat greeter Paisley joined in on “Long Train Running” and offered a fab electric guitar solo that kicked it up another notch. After performing “Black Water,” the Doobie Brothers were joined by Evans and Paisley on “Listen To the Music” with all of us singing along, ending another successful Sony Boat Show.

Overton thanked everyone for attending, and announced Sony Music Nashville will release a tribute album to the Doobie Brothers album later this year. Stay tuned.