Jon Pardi jump started the hype train for new album Heartache Medication last night (Mon., Sept. 23) with a free Pandora Live concert at Atlanta's Buckhead Theatre. The album officially arrives this Friday (Sept. 27).
Videos by Wide Open Country
The unofficial kickoff of Pardi's Heartache Medication Tour doubled as a showcase for other young country music stars, with Dillon Carmichael and RaeLynn as his opening acts.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 23: Recording artist Dillon Carmichael performs during Pandora Live Jon Pardi at Buckhead Theatre on September 23, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Pandora Media)
Carmichael, the nephew of John Michael and Eddie Montgomery, started performing while many in attendance still maneuvered long lines for alcohol, free food and other giveaways. Those of us in our seats in time to watch Carmichael and a backing band that needs to be heard live to be fully appreciated got rewarded with cuts from his debut album Hell on an Angel as well as the hilarious new cut "99 Problems (Fish Ain't One)."
The internet has made the term "underrated" almost meaningless, but RaeLynn really doesn't get enough credit as one of the better pop-oriented songwriters and vocalists on the national touring circuit. Between a recent tour with Maren Morris and this chance to perform at last night's RSVP-only party, that might get rectified sooner than later. As for her set, a mix of prior album cuts and new tracks, plus a brief rendition of Ariana Grande's "Thank U (Next)", got the crowd pumped for Pardi.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 23: Recording artist Raelynn performs during Pandora Live Jon Pardi at Buckhead Theatre on September 23, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Pandora Media)
Pardi, a genuine country superstar, closed out the night with his own version of a Dive Bar Tour stop. The Buckhead Theatre isn't a hole-in-the-wall but any means, but it was an intimate setting for Pardi's stadium-ready stage show and a celebration of one of this fall's most anticipated country albums. With Pardi's star on the rise, it might be the only time these songs get played in a theater setting.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 23: Jon Pardi performs on stage for Pandora Live at Buckhead Theatre on September 23, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Pandora Media)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 23: Jon Pardi performs on stage for Pandora Live at Buckhead Theatre on September 23, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Pandora Media)
Pardi's headlining set celebrated his third studio album without skipping the hits that brought him Billboard chart success. The new music mostly consisted of advanced tracks from the album, although the lucky few in attendance did get to hear the live debut of "Old Hat."
SiriusXM's The Highway recorded and aired Pardi's set. In addition, Pandora Media awarded him with a Pandora Billionaire plaque for notching over 1 billion lifetime spins by Pandora listeners.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 23: Pandora's Jeff Zuchowski and Beville Dunkerley, recording artist Jon Pardi, Pandora's Alina Thompson and Jen Danielson attend Pandora Live Jon Pardi at Buckhead Theatre on September 23, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Pandora Media)
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