Live at Texas Stadium captures a concert Alan Jackson, George Strait and Jimmy Buffett gave at the venue on May 29, 2004. What connects these three? Well, Jackson and Buffett dueted on the chart-topping "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere," they're all superstars renowned for giving audiences their money's worth, and in 2004, Buffett released his country crossover License to Chill, so what better way to promote the platter than with a concert with the biggest country star of the 2000s and a legend? It made perfect sense and it made for a good show, too, if Live at Texas Stadium is any indication. According to the poster (which may or may not be accurate) featured in the CD booklet, the batting order for this particular show had Strait opening, Jackson hitting in the middle and Buffett closing it down, which is more indicative of the crossover nature of Buffett's crowd than the fact that he's a bigger country star than either Strait or Jackson. On record, Jackson and Buffett swap places, but position in the lineup doesn't matter as much on record as it does in concert, since it's possible for a listener to start listening anywhere -- and no matter where you start Live at Texas Stadium, it's one big party. And like any party with too many guests, different listeners will gravitate toward different groups of people. Those who like their country served straight-up naturally will find Strait's set the best, since he and his band have a casual virtuosity that's mesmerizing for its ease. Those listeners will also play well with Jackson's crew, who may not be as steeped in tradition as the Ace in the Hole Band but they sure can play pure country with skill and heart, and they provide the bridge to Buffett, who, as always, is the self-styled life of the party. Longtime Parrottheads will be familiar with his shtick -- the boisterous between-songs babble, the jokey asides on "Hey Good Lookin'" -- and find it intoxicating, but Strait fans may just see Buffett as intoxicated, and skip by his numbers. That said, Strait and Buffett play well together -- Strait isn't as loose as Buffett, but they harmonize well on "Sea of Heartbreak," and Jackson acts as the amiable host, bringing these two sides together and ensuring that everybody on-stage and in the audience (and now at home) has a good time: and they do. And it's good enough to take home a souvenir, since Live at Texas Stadium can serve as a soundtrack for many a summertime party in the future. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
Nancy Russell (Project Coordinator), Tom Rutledge (Guitar (Baritone)), Dan Kelly (Group Member), Dave Gaylord (Vocals), Dave Gaylord (Group Member), Tina Gullickson (Guitar), Marty Slayton (Vocals (Background)), Roger Wills (Guitar (Bass)), Anthony Bazzani (Group Member), Michael Utley (Keyboards), Wes Hightower (Vocals), Doyle Grisham (Group Member), Gene Elders (Group Member), Hank Williams (Mastering), Dan Kelly (Mandolin), Heather Perry (Dancer), Matt Rovey (Mixing Assistant), Monty Parkey (Group Member), Jack Herger (Poster Design), Rick McRae (Guitar (Electric)), Keith Stegall (Producer), Jerry Joyner (Design), Monty Allen (Group Member), Bruce Rutherford (Drums), Mike Daily (Guitar (Steel)), Mac McAnally (Producer), Roger Wills (Group Member), Anthony Bazzani (Keyboards), Dave Gaylord (Mandolin), Julie Harkness (Dancer), Monty Parkey (Keyboards), Tina Gullickson (Group Member), Bill Payne (Group Member), John Lovell (Trumpet), Wes Hightower (Vocals (Background)), Bruce Rutherford (Group Member), Mike Utley (Producer), Julie Harkness (Group Member), Robbie Flint (Group Member), Rick McRae (Group Member), Craig Allen (Art Direction), Robbie Flint (Guitar (Steel)), Ralph MacDonald (Percussion), Jeff Sturms (Group Member), Mike Daily (Group Member), Terry Hale (Group Member), Bill Payne (Piano), Ronnie Huckaby (Group Member), Mac McAnally (Guitar (Acoustic)), Tina Gullickson (Vocals), Doyle Grisham (Pedal Steel), Dave Gaylord (Fiddle), Heather Perry (Group Member), Tony Stephens (Group Member), Mike Kennedy (Group Member), Tom Rutledge (Guitar (Acoustic)), Nina Avramides-Berducat (Project Coordinator), Craig Allen (Design), Tony Stephens (Harmonica), John Lovell (Group Member), Ronnie Huckaby (Piano), Jim Mayer (Group Member), Danny Groah (Group Member), Dan Kelly (Fiddle), Michael Utley (Group Member), Tom Rutledge (Group Member), Nadirah Shakoor (Group Member), Mac McAnally (Group Member), Mac McAnally (Vocals), Alan Schulman (Mixing), Jim Mayer (Bass), Chris Stone (Mixing), Nadirah Shakoor (Vocals), Michael Utley (Vocals), Jerry Joyner (Art Direction), Gene Elders (Fiddle), Jeff Sturms (Guitar (Acoustic)), Ralph MacDonald (Group Member), John Kelton (Mixing), Jim Mayer (Vocals), Roger Guth (Drums), Wes Hightower (Group Member), Roger Guth (Group Member), Marty Slayton (Group Member), Sean McClintock (Assistant Engineer), Monty Allen (Vocals (Background)), Terry Hale (Bass), Mike Kennedy (Drums), Danny Groah (Guitar), Phil Gitomer (Tape Operator), George Strait (Producer)
