Over the years, we’ve had some big country concerts in Augusta. However, some have been bigger than others. When I say big, I mean in terms of the crowd, and in terms of the country artist performing. There have been times when we’ve announced a show and people say “I can’t believe they’re coming to Augusta!”
Country Concerts In Augusta Are A Big Deal
Country shows have always done well here. I can’t think of many that didn’t sell out, or come close to selling out the James Brown Arena or The Bell Auditorium. Also back in the day, A Day in the Country used to draw some pretty big numbers at the river. So I can’t really speak to shows way back when, but I can talk about the ones that have happened in the past 22 years. Mainly because I’ve been at all of those shows.
So please feel free to let me know about some of the bigger shows that came to town either before I was born, or before my time at Kicks started.
I’ve been very fortunate to have been able to be at the biggest country concerts in Augusta over the last 22 years. Whether it was a Kicks99 Guitar Pull or A Day in the Country and Hot Southern Night back in the day. Or maybe it was a show at the JBA or The Bell, if y’all were there having a good time, I was right there with you!
Again this list is based on not only the size of the crowd at the show but the artist that played as well. I certainly hope this brings back some great memories for you if you were at the show. And if you weren’t here when these shows went down, just know that we’ve had some pretty big country concerts in Augusta over the years. I’m sure I’m going to miss some on this list, so feel free to reach out with shows that you remember being huge.
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Let’s take a trip down country concert memory lane, shall we?
Biggest Country Concerts In Augusta Through The Years
Rascal Flatts at Kicks99's Guitar Pull in 2006
At the time, Rascal Flatts was the biggest group in music, not just country, but all genres. And in 2006, they played our Kicks99 Guitar Pull for the second time. It was so big that we didn’t even bother putting tickets on sale, we knew they’d be gone in seconds! The only way to get in that year was to win your tickets. Oh and by the way, also on that show in 2006 was a new artist named Jason Aldean, y’all ever heard of him?
LOS ANGELES – JANUARY 09: (EXCLUSIVE ACCESS) Jay DeMarcus,Joe Don Rooney, and Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts backstage during the 33rd Annual People’s Choice Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on January 9, 2007 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for PCA)
Jason Aldean at A Day in the Country in 2008
A Georgia boy was back in Georgia in 2008. Jason Aldean was one of the hottest rising stars in country music at the time. When we announced that he was the headliner of the 2008 A Day in the Country, people went nuts! There were close to 10,000 both at the show and watching in boats on the river. Everyone left with two things that day, a great concert memory… and a sun burn.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 07: Jason Aldean performs onstage during the 54th Academy Of Country Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 07, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Carrie Underwood at The James Brown Arena in 2010
Carrie Underwood has played the JBA twice over the years, but the first time was in 2010. I remember when we announced that Carrie Underwood was coming to Augusta, people went crazy! She was a superstar! There weren’t many country artists bigger than Carrie Underwood in 2010. Tickets for that show sold out quick, and Carrie put on a killer show. Oh and here’s a fun fact, A Day in the Country was the same day that Carrie was at the arena, and that year A Day in the Country was headlined by an up and coming artist named Eric Church!
CLEVELAND, OHIO – OCTOBER 16: Carrie Underwood receives CMT Artist of the Year award during a remote performance at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on October 16, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Duane Prokop/Getty Images for CMT/Viacom)
Florida Georgia Line and Nelly at Lake Olmstead Stadium in 2014
Florida Georgia Line were huge in 2014. And in the summer of 2014 they announced that they were doing a tour with Nelly, they also announced that tour would be playing Lake Olmstead Stadium! There were close to 10,000 people there, and it was a great time. Every one was having a blast and singing along to every song! That was definitely one of the biggest shows ever at the former home of the Augusta Green Jackets.
NASHVILLE, TN – JUNE 03: Nelly (C) performs onstage with Brian Kelley (L) and Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line during the 2013 CMT Music Awards Rehearsals Day 1 at Bridgestone Arena on June 3, 2013 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for CMT)
Keith Urban at Evans Town Center Park in 2018
Keith Urban came to Evans during Masters Week in 2018. He headlined a show at Evans Town Center Park and there were close to 8,000 people there. Keith absolutely killed it that night, he always puts on a great show, but he was really on it that night.
NASHVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 12: In this handout photo provided by The Country Rising Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, musical artist Keith Urban performs onstage for the Country Rising Benefit Concert at Bridgestone Arena on November 12, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Shearer/Country Rising/Getty Images)
Kicks99's Guitar Pull 2019
Kicks99’s Guitar Pull is always a big show, but hands down, the 2019 show was the biggest one we’ve had so far. Luke Bryan and Luke Combs headlined the show that year. Yes, Luke Bryan and Luke Combs were on the same show, sitting right next to each other! There wasn’t another radio station in America that had Luke Bryan and Luke Combs on the same show, but we did!
