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Next up was "Two Pink Lines," a very true life story from Eric's younger days. Six weeks into the relationship, she was three weeks late. The song tells the story of their journey to buy a pregnancy test. Eric told the audience the research for the song was actually done in the back of his dad's Chevy Blazer and Walgreens, isle six, half way down on the left side. He said the test's have improved since then and he thought that now they even shoot out a little picture of your kid, complete with hair and eye color.


The crowd was loving the interaction, the stories, and the humor. He at one point asked the crowd for requests, comments, or rude remarks when one lady yelled out and asked him to remove his hat. Eric replied back to her saying, "that wasn't a question a comment or a rude remark that was an order!" "A crowd will turn on ya in a hurry, glad you all aren't drinkin'." The room once again erupted with laughter and Eric very happily responded by raising his hat showing off his thick full head of dark brown hair.

Eric continued on with, "Sinner's Like Me," "What I Almost Was," and his new single, "Guys Like Me." As the evening was fast coming to a close, one more story was to be told. As in the song, "These Boots," Eric really does have a favorite pair. After being re-soled about six times, he said this last visit with the repairman was two weeks ago and he still doesn't have 'em back. So each night he's been trying a new pair but nothing feels right. So in honor of those boots, he played the song.

His last song for the evening was his first single, "How Bout You."

Afterwards each table was brought out to the waiting room, and one by one each fan got to meet Eric. WQMX's staff was there to say goodbye to each fan as they slowly walked out those front doors of the radio station. It was an incredibly special night for each fan and an evening they won't soon forget.

If you've been fortunate enough to catch Eric in concert sometime during the past year, (he's opened up for some of the finest acts around, like Rascal Flatts, Bob Seger, and Dierks Bentley, just to name a few) you know that his shows are loud and they are long. He prides himself on that and on the fact that he has one of the best bands around backing him up. For some artists, it might be a little difficult to go from that environment to one that is just you and your guitar. Eric made the transition flawlessly.

I've had the pleasure of seeing Eric many times during the past year or so, and I can't tell you what a treat it was for me to see him perform an acoustic set. The passion in his vocals and guitar playing is rarely matched by other performers. After an earlier discussion about all the hoopla of Eric coming to the station, WQMX's program director, Sue Wilson said, "for this show, we need to change the title from Rising Star Showcase to Star Has Already Risen Showcase." How true it was!

Set List:

• Before She Does
• Two Pink Lines
• Sinners Like Me
• Guys Like Me
• What I Almost Was
• These Boots
• How 'Bout You