Even though it has been only nine months since his last visit, Trace Adkins once again graced Luhrs Preforming Arts Center stage Friday night. It was a night filled with country twang, deep and soulful singing, as well as good fun.

Krystle Onair, from radio station WAYZ, kicked off the night by introducing the first act, Justin Adams, as well as getting the crowd pumped for Trace Adkins.

Justin Adams, an upcoming country singer, along with his guitarist Patric Johnson, was the first to hit the stage, quickly bringing up the energy of the crowd. He played a few songs off his self-titled EP such as “Shut Up And Kiss Me” and “Miss Me Whiskey.” Since his EP only has five songs on it, he also sang a few new songs, such as “Cowgirl” and “Looks Good On You.”

Adams also threw out guitar picks into the audience several times and commented on the fact that he liked Shippensburg, especially since it was his first time here.

After a short intermission, Trace Adkins did not disappoint. The stage was set up as though it was an abandoned warehouse, complete with graffiti-styled words that just so happened to be titles to many of his popular songs, as well as windows that held colored lights, along with double doors in the middle of the stage.

He entered the double doors through a frenzy of colored lights and smoke, while the band played a lead in “(This Ain’t) No Thinkin’ Thing.” As the lights still danced around the theater in erratic patterns, the guitarists showed off their skills with a few solos and that lead into “Swing.”

“This Ain’t No Love Song” and “Big Time,” two other of Adkins’ many hits, were one right after the next. No pauses came to the music (or the light show) even as he went into “Chrome.”

The pause in lights and music finally happened as he transitioned into “You’re Gonna Miss This.”

Although, before he started, he took time to thank Shippensburg and Luhrs for having him, recalling he was not there that awful long ago for his Christmas tour.

He also explained, before his next song “There’s A Girl In Texas”, that the song had just turned 20 this year and was his very first single. One of his other “first” singles, “Every Light In The House,” followed up “There’s A Girl In Texas.”

The lights then picked up their previous erratic pace as the music picked up with “Hot Mama.” He then took time to introduce his band members and explain his new song, joking that he hated doing this because he hated when his favorite artists would play new songs he did not know.

This new song was about just wanting to hear a heartbreak song on the radio, especially in a time where there are so many happy songs on the radio. As he ended that song, he sang a cover of “My Strongest Weakness,” which he said Mike Reid, former NFL player, wrote for Wynonna.

It was a quick change back to an upbeat pace as he sang “Ladies Love Country Boys,” “I Left Something Turned On At Home” and “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk,” the lights, again, followed suit. This ended the night on a lively note as the crowd stood to give Adkins a standing ovation as he left the stage.

As the concert ended and the audience filed out, Justin Adams and Patric Johnson stayed in the lobby for meet and greet audience members.

After being asked what it is like to work with Adkins, both agreed that he is a “class act” and “super nice and relaxed.” Adams added, “[Adkins] has an incredible camp and crew, which shows how good a boss Adkins is.”

The questions were not solely about Adkins though. Since Adams is relatively new to the country scene, Adams explained his origins a bit, “I moved to Nashville four years ago, but I started (playing music) when I was a kid and started song writing when I was in college.”

Then, when asked what his favorite part of performing is, Adams answered, “I love being on stage and entertaining and I love meeting people and hearing their stories.”

So even through the mildly headache-inducing lights, the talent of these two acts blended together perfectly, making it a night many will find hard to forget.

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