Country music is the most misunderstood lyrical genre. Many people tune out the sweet, simple cowboy singing about marrying your high school sweetheart in favor of skinny punk whiners screaming lines fueled by depression. Why dwell on walking down a boulevard of broken dreams when you can think back to drinking cheap beer with the boys?
Toby Keith, as well as other loveable rebels such as Kenny Chesney and Garth Brooks, reminds us there’s more to life than pain and suffering. Keith will serenade fans with a dose of his feel-good music during his “Honkytonk University” concert at Nissan Pavilion in support of his new album of the same name.
His new disc may be summed up in one word: maturity. Honkytonk University leaves the party scene behind and exposes Keith’s personal side with ballads such as “Big Blue Note” and “I Got It Bad.” It speaks to how Keith has grown away from lyrics such as, “We’ll put a boot in your ass!”and the juvenile image painted by the song “Who’s Your Daddy?” Still simple, still honest, still country.
Keith has proudly dropped numerous chart-topping hits, double-platinum albums and has a handful of Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association awards under his huge belt buckle. This year, Keith has opened diners, bars and restaurants in his home state of Oklahoma, as well as in Las Vegas.
Keith will strap up his cowboy boots and mosey on down to Virginia’s Nissan Pavillion Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $33.25. For more information, call (703) 754-1288.
