Zac Brown Band rocks out Pro Football Hall of Fame Festival in Canton

CANTON − The Zac Brown Band transformed Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium into part country music hoedown and part rock concert.

And the results were fabulous on Saturday night, with the headlining band at the Concert for Legends entertaining a large crowd with a high energy show that was packed both with the country music band's popular songs, as well as a sprinkling of eclectic and rousing cover tunes.

The show was a cherry on top of a football-inspired sundae that began Saturday morning with the Canton Repository Grand Parade before the 2023 class was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the stadium as part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival.

Band leader Zac Brown called out Canton numerous times, thanking the crowd for their enthusiasm and also honoring the new inductees. He also recalled his football playing days, crediting the sport for teaching him leadership and other qualities.

Opening the concert was King Calaway, a pop country band which released a new album this month, "Tennessee's Waiting," produced by Zac Brown.

The large ensemble was musically proficient, each band member receiving spotlight moments, including a fiery fiddle player, twin percussionists, guitar player, other instrumentalists, and a few band members who took their turn on vocals.

Resulting was a jamboree to be remembered. Last summer's Journey concert was spectacular, but the Zac Brown Band was equally crowd pleasing. Fans constantly danced at their seats or in the aisle. Spectators enjoyed alcoholic beverages while singing along to songs that resonated with a party and summertime vibe.

Forming in 2002, the Atlanta-based and Grammy Award-winning band showcased a distinctive style of country music, incorporating elements of Southern rock, island music sounds, classic rock and pop influences.

Totaling roughly 20 songs, the setlist included band favorites, "Toes," "As She's Walking Away," "Free," "Chicken Fried," "Knee Deep" and "Same Boat." Also worked in were deeper cuts like "Beautiful Drug."

And the range of cover songs was superb. A clear highlight was the classic rap and rock song "Sabotage" by the Beastie Boys. Trading vocals with another band member, Zac Brown walked to the edge of the stage without his guitar, singing lines directly to the audience.

With the video screen and stage lights flashing, it was a rock jam spectacle. Drawing even more crowd interaction was the iconic Queen song, "Bohemian Rhapsody," which again demonstrated the versatility of the sonically tight band. Another classic rock staple, with fierce guitar playing, was "Layla," popularized by Derek & The Dominos and Eric Clapton. Another scorching jam was "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" by Charlie Daniels.

Zac Brown's baritone vocals made for easy listening. Smooth and rich. Warm and comforting with a touch of country sweetness. A voice that easily nestles itself into each song, no matter the style, mood or tempo.

The crowd included first-timers and those who were eager to see the Zac Brown Band again.

Mark and Sandy Taylor of Cleveland attended the concert with their 20-year-old daughter, Claire.

Recalling when she first saw the group opening for the Dave Matthews Band, Sandy Taylor said: "I told my husband (that Brown's) voice was like butter. I liked them better than Dave Matthews."

Claire Taylor said she enjoys the connection between the Zac Brown Band and their fans.

"It's fun, and people can sing along," she said. "It's like an American, country, summertime, western feeling. You can drink a beer and sing along to 'Chicken Fried.'"

The band has played in some of the most venerable venues in the country, including Fenway Park, Wrigley Field and Hollywood Bowl.

And here they were in Canton, the Zac Brown Band leading a country music party attended by several thousand fans, who matched the frenetic stage show with rowdy appreciation. The band maintained a relentless pace, from song to song, and jam to jam, occasionally easing back the tempo on slower numbers but never losing the full-throttled passion.

Brown sang "Free" with heartfelt sentiment, extending the song and inviting the crowd to join in, the chorus going like this: "We're free as we'll ever be. Just as free. Free as we'll ever be."

Lyrics told a story about a couple who travels the country in a van, lacking much money but sustained on love.

Afterward, as the song faded, Brown gazed out at the crowd, blowing a kiss, grinning broadly, and joining his hands together to express thanks.

The final song was both a happy singalong romp and poignant and patriotic moment.

Walking on to the stage in full uniform was a military member, standing at Brown's side as the service member saluted. The scene synched with some of the verses: "I thank God for my life. And for the stars and stripes. May freedom forever fly, let it ring.

"Salute the ones who died. The ones that give their lives so we don't have to sacrifice."

The serviceman was met with the loudest roar and ovation of the night before he paced off stage. And then it was back to the revelry for the band and crowd, with the frontman letting the audience sing the chorus.

"Get a little chicken fried. Cold beer on a Friday night. A pair of jeans that fit just right. And the radio up."

Reach Ed at [email protected]

On X (formerly Twitter) at ebalintREP