A crowd of all ages wearing knee- high boots, cowboy hats and plaid gathered at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre Aug. 27 to experience the talent of the Zac Brown Band with guest artist Darrell Scott and opening act Caroline Jones. The concert marked a stop of the country band’s “Welcome Home” tour and release of the Georgia natives’ seventh album. Though with a country vibe, the band proved that they could do far more than that and ventured into other genres throughout the concert.

Caroline Jones opened to a half-filled venue with the cover of the folk song “Old Blue,” as more audience members trickled in and settled. The country artist that made her debut album this year quickly shined her voice through as she moved flawlessly through octaves while strumming the banjo. She then highlighted her aspirations to bring back the pop-country genre with her songs “The Difference,” “Bare Feet” and “Tough Guys,” which stood out with the catchy melodies and choruses pushed by a pop-based beat.

The second act was Darrell Scott, a Nashville native known beyond his vocal talent, as other artists have covered the songs of this talented singer-songwriter, including “Long Time Gone” covered by Dixie Chicks that was featured in the concert post-intermission. With thirteen albums to his name, Scott emerged as a seemingly effortless solo artist who puts forth great passion into his singing and songwriting regardless of genre—be it country, roots, blues even a bit of rock. Scott did what he loves to do best at this concert and that was to collaborate.

That was obvious when the entire Zac Brown Band, comprised of eight members, came one-by-one to stand on stage as Darrell Scott sang, and be- gan singing in a no-fuss manner. They seemed to have fun up there while the

Though with a country vibe, the band proved that they could do far more than that.

audience members tried to fit in cheers and screams above the music. The band started with a fan favorite “Keep Me in Mind” as the huge brown screen with the country font came up, revealing a few members that were already up on the stage at that time — Zac Brown, Jimmy De Martini, the exceptional fiddler; guitarist Matt Mangano, and Daniel de los Reyes, their percussionist.

“Keep Me in Mind” was followed by “Home Grown” and “Use Somebody,” by Kings Of Leon, simply proving to the audience that they’re just here to have fun. The concert continued on to include the best of country songs, rock

songs and covers. It highlighted not only the voice of Brown, but also the voices of the other band members. Scott and Brown each took turns with Banjos, and Brown gracefully and fiercely sang through ballads like “Cold Weather” and “Sweet Annie,” which played into a tribute to Gregg Allman with “Whipping Post.” The highlight of the second set though, was when Brown handed over the vocals of “It’s Not Okay” to John Driskell Hopkins, their bass guitarist, who had the opportunity to show off his guitar skills with other talented musicians Coy Bowles and De Martini.

By the end of the concert, those who came in expecting a country show got that and more. The Band yelled out to the crowd after their performance of “Long Time Gone” that their encore was going to be “Chicken Fried” — obviously. But the fans refused to leave, some having prior knowledge that the band never means their encore is the last, and were proved right as all the band members took the stage again. Coy Bowles and Clay Cook took their places at the center after Brown challenged them to a guitar playoff which brought out hardcore guitar riffs from both, covering various songs before ultimately going into Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” and Gun’s and Roses’ “Paradise City.” Their recordings are great, but to watch them live — especially De Martini on the fiddle — provides for an incredible musical experience.