An American Friday Night

Following the show in our state’s largest city on Thursday night, Bucky Covington made another stop in our state on Friday night. Directly east of us in Las Cruces (as the bird flies over the Lincoln National Forest) Bucky rocked Carlsbad, NM. And no, he didn’t visit the famous caverns on a work day.

Just as K-Great 104 hosted three-years ago when Bucky was in Las Cruces, our contemporaries from W105 in Hobbs were a class act hosting Bucky at the impressive Walter Gerrells Performing Arts Center in Carlsbad. Easily accessible; spacious parking; welcoming lobby with direct access to a modern 2100-seat auditorium; quality sound; Las Cruces should be so lucky to have this kind of facility for small to mid-level concerts. Speaking to Station Manager, Will Rooney, W105 was very pleased to present an event with Bucky, and he hoped to bring future country entertainment to the eastern New Mexico community. When it happens, take note Las Crucens, it will be worth the 3-1/2 hour drive to Carlsbad to see your favorite performer at the WGPAC.

Texas-country artist, Jerry Audley opened the show with a pleasantly entertaining mix of original and honky-tonk covers. Overheard from a patron at the end of the night, “That first guy was pretty good. Too bad no one stormed the stage for him like they did for Bucky.” Ah, yes, Bucky. The headliner Carlsbad welcomed with open arms and was enchanted with by the end of the night. To start with the truth, the auditorium was not at full capacity, but that was because the concert competed with the Carlsbad-Artesia football game. It would be like booking a show the night of the Cruces-Mayfield game. Ironically, Bucky opens his show with a song that celebrates this very pastime; so surely, even Bucky, himself, would understood that not even he can charm patrons out of a football stadium on an “American Friday Night.” Those left in attendance seemed to be for the most part, too old, or too young for high school football. As a matter of fact, there were droves of young ladies in attendance who will surely be regaling the charms of this hot, yet adorable singer to their grade school classmates on Monday.

Following the opening number, the show train rocked mostly the same tracks from the first and second albums that were shared the night before with the metropolitan New Mexicans. Carlsbad seemed to be a little more receptive to the redneck anthems. As previously noted, future hits “Evil Knievel,” “Mama Must Be Prayin’,” and “Drinkin’ Side of Country” are anticipated on the second album. Throughout the show, Bucky’s antics kept the audience intrigued, though his performance is notably animated on his first hit, “A Different World,” the Elvis Presley cover “Suspicious Minds,” the Pink Floyd cover “The Wall,” the album favorite, “I’m Good,” and his signature, seated serenade of “I’ll Walk.” Always on point, no matter the size of the market, Bucky peppers his show with humorous anecdotes that reflect his wit and charm. One of his favorite stories to tell is about being from the hamlet of Rockingham, North Carolina, where he says that he worked and lived within a mile of each other. Having never been anywhere until his musical career took off following American Idol, one of his greatest discoveries while traveling the country has been to find that there are rednecks everywhere. Bucky plays up the jabs at his identical twin brother, Rocky Covington, who plays percussion in the band. The two even have their own skit worked out to share microphone time, as Rocky is also an accomplished singer and musician. As a matter of fact, Rocky, along with Bucky’s friend and guitar player, Ducky Medlock, perform on the side in their own musical act, MedRock. But for the night, they work with fellow band members Steve “Shiny Bass” Cook (bass), Scott Saunders (keys), Beau Hendrich (guitar) and Mitch Moulton (drums) to provide the music for the recognizable and soon-to-be recognizable hits of Bucky Covington. The road gang is such a family act, that Bucky’s sister-in-law, Terra Covington, runs the merchandising operations. Many fans met Rocky’s wife as they patronized the merchandise table after the show, where Bucky stayed to sign autographs for all who lined up to take home an extra special memory of their night with the man who has grown from a TV contestant to a bona fide country superstar, so said the marquee. Luckily, Bucky has retained his friendly demeanor, which is what makes him such a delightful person. Now if only the second album will be put into physical production! In the meantime, you can download some of the new songs while you wait for your chance to be entranced the next time Bucky travels to the Land of Enchantment.