Kenny Rocks Asbury Park

By the time Kenny leaned into his sets last song almost two hours after taking the stage at the legendary Stone Pony, it was clear that the aptly titled Dont Happen Twice captured the feeling of the chilly New Jersey night. Inside the club, it was so hot Kenny was covered in sweat from the second song and outside, the several hundred hopefuls who couldnt get a ticket were bathed in the music rolling out of the open doors and onto Ocean Avenue.

For Kenny, the show capped the launch of his No Shoes Radio on SiriusXM. Like the radio station Kenny pioneered eight years ago, the set was eclectic from a cover of Willie Nelson's Whiskey River to Harmoni Kelley's take on AC/DCs Whole Lotta Rosie and full of heartfelt moments, including rare performances of The Life, Save It For A Rainy Day and a rendition of When I See This Bar that had the audience singing the chorus response louder than the band.

Theres something about playing a real live bar, Kenny said. The audience is so close, so ready for the music, its like the night explodes. For something being broadcast live across America, I cant think of a better place to celebrate No Shoes Radio on SiriusXM.

The audience SiriusXM subscribers who won tickets came in from across America. Aware of the lengths travelled, as well as the people listening at home, he sent regards to everyone everywhere from Maine to Malibu. Later introducing No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems, he proclaimed Everyone out there in the No Shoes Nation, this is your anthem and has been since 2002!

As the crowd cheered, an acoustic guitar part hushed the room and Chesneys easy baritone found its way through, Woke up this morning, the house was cold/ Checked out the furnace, she wasnt burnin... In a complete gear switch, he moved from the propulsive Noise and American Kids to the stunning One Step Up, and the audience followed him.

Thats the thing about these sorts of shows: you can hit hard and throw fast, but the crowd is so right there, you can also make it pin-drop quiet in a few bars, Kenny marveled. It was the kind of night, the music could lead and we let it.

With his Spread The Love Tour, kicking off with 50,430 fans at Auburn Universitys Jordan-Hare Stadium, heading to Mohegan Sun for two nights, Kenny's summer is already blazing. Get your tickets HERE