Big & Rich, Sioux Falls, SD

Take equal parts country, rock and roll, rap, circus, patriotic rally and South Dakota tribute and shake well. You'll get the Big & Rich show at the Sioux Empire Fair in Sioux Falls on August 12, 2009.

With special guests onstage like dwarf "Two Foot Fred," the black country rapper "Cowboy Troy" and "Tim the Electrician" who owns the Dungeon Bar in Sturgis, SD, things just never seemed like a normal music concert.

For those not familiar with Big & Rich's history, the duo of Big Kenny and John Rich spent much of their early time together playing in Deadwood, South Dakota. Many of their songs are filled with the area's history and flavor. Here is the set list from last night's show, but it doesn't include a few notables.


Before "Eighth of November," which is about South Dakota native Niles Harris and his experiences in Vietnam, John Rich surprised Kenny and the rest of the band by saying it was only right that they perform "Deadwood Mountain" while in the state. Kenny joined in, but the rest of the band had obviously never rehearsed the tune from the duo's first album and respectfully stood waiting their turn.

Despite 90 degree temperatures and sticky humidity, Rich made his onstage entrance in a fur coat. He quickly shed it after the first song.


Kenny did as much prancing and posing as he did singing.




"Tim the Electrician's" time onstage amounted to what Rich called "folding chair bronc riding" while the band played "The Orange Blossom Special," which morphed into Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues."


More Johnny Cash tributes and rap from Cowboy Troy sprinkled throughout the Big & Rich hits lead up to a finale that included Rich setting a guitar on fire and then he and Cowboy Troy smashing two acoustic guitars to smithereens to the delight of the rowdy crowd.

Check out my pictures of Big & Rich from a more sedate performance at B&R. Learn more about the duo at their official website.