Country stars Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley are bringing their “Locked & Reloaded Tour” to Macon on Thursday.
“I love singing about real life, and it’s also where I draw my inspiration,” Miranda Lambert said in a recent e-mail interview. “To me, authenticity is the most important quality of songwriting. I hope that I offer fans honest country music. On the stage, my band and I always try to give 110 percent, and I hope that everyone who comes to my shows is able to put aside their troubles for a while and have a great time.”
With that attitude, it is no wonder that Lambert has become one of the premiere performing artists in the country.
“We are absolutely excited and looking forward to Miranda, Dierks and Lee (Brice) rocking the house,” said Brenda Thompson, sales manager for the Macon Coliseum. “Miranda and Dierks each have been here before at different times and both put on phenomenal shows. Having them together with the added bonus of Lee Brice is going to be epic.”
Fresh off of a Grammy performance and with five recent Academy of Country Music nominations under her belt, Lambert is perhaps in the best spirits of her career. Her honors include her second nomination for Entertainer of the Year and seventh consecutive nomination for Female Vocalist of the Year. In addition, Lambert was nominated for Single Record of the Year and twice nominated for Song of the Year, as artist and composer, for “Over You.”
Thompson said that Lambert’s appeal goes across the spectrum of ages.
“Well, according to my 20-year-old daughter, Miranda is a kick-butt, down-to-Earth artist that keeps it real. In other words, she’s current and relatable. My favorite Miranda song is ‘The House that Built Me’ because it’s just a beautiful story; but the song I know best is ‘Gunpowder and Lead’ because my daughter used to play it over and over in the car and in the house.”
Although Lambert has been to Macon before, Thompson is particularly excited that she is returning.
“I hope that Middle Georgians will turn it up and turn out for the show. It’s going to be an unforgettable and unbelievably fun evening and I, personally, want to take the opportunity to thank the promoter, Live Nation Worldwide Inc., for taking a chance on us and our market. If the market responds well, they’ll bring us more great shows to enjoy and that’s what it is all about.”
Lambert said she’s looking forward to a familiar audience here in Macon.
“It always feels like home when there are some folks in the audience who talk as country as I do,” Lambert said. “I’m looking forward to coming down South and rocking out with my fans in Macon. I remember the audiences in Georgia sure know how to have a good time!”
Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: Macon Coliseum, 200 Coliseum Drive
Cost: $27.50 and $52.50
Information: www.ticketmaster.com, 751-9232
