The inaugural Country Calling 2024 festival kicked off on a perfect sunny day in Ocean City, Maryland, bringing together fans for a two-day celebration of country music. The opening day was packed with energy, featuring a mix of rising stars and legendary performers. The night culminated with an electrifying performance by headliner Eric Church.
A Hometown Start with Jimmy Charles
The day began with local favorite Jimmy Charles, who opened the festival at 12:30 p.m. His performance brought a sense of hometown pride to the event, with fans cheering on the Ocean City native. “It’s amazing to see someone from here get such a big stage,” said Sarah from Annapolis, MD. Charles delivered a set that warmed up the crowd and set the stage for the day’s festivities.
Afternoon Highlights: Hueston and NEEDTOBREATHE
As the afternoon continued, festival-goers were treated to a soulful performance by Hueston at 1:45 p.m. His set began with the haunting “Gone With The Wind,” quickly followed by the emotional “Every Time Is The Last Time” and the reflective “What You Waiting On.” The crowd responded warmly to his introspective lyrics and deep voice, especially during “Bourbon In Barrels” and “Down To My Grave.” Fans like Tony from Baltimore said, “His voice just grabs you—it’s something real.” Hueston ended his set on a high note with the energetic “Joy Ride.”
By 3:15 p.m., NEEDTOBREATHE had the crowd on their feet. They opened with “No Excuses,” immediately energizing the festival grounds. Mid-set, the band surprised the audience with a powerful cover of “The House of the Rising Sun,” which was met with thunderous applause. Their original hits, including “The Outsiders,” “Girl Named Tennessee,” and “Brother,” had fans singing along. “That cover was next level,” said Alex from Salisbury, MD. “And the way they worked in their hits—just incredible.” They closed their performance with “West Texas Wind,” leaving the audience buzzing.
Evening Performances: Martina McBride and Clint Black
As the sun began to set, country legend Martina McBride took the stage at 5:15 p.m., delivering one of the most anticipated performances of the day. Opening with “My Baby,” McBride instantly captured the crowd’s attention. She followed up with emotional ballads like “Safe” and “I Love You,” before shifting to the more upbeat “Girls Like Me” and her classic rendition of “Rose Garden.” The crowd sang along passionately to “You Ain’t Woman Enough (To Take My Man),” and when she performed her hit “Blessed,” the energy in the festival grounds was palpable.
McBride also delivered powerful performances of “Wild Angels” and “House,” before stunning the audience with her vocals on “Anyway.” After an intimate moment of band introductions during “God Fearin’,” she shifted the tone with the empowering anthem “For the Girls.” As she closed her set with “Broken Wing” and her iconic ballad “Independence Day,” many fans were left in awe. “She’s got one of the most powerful voices in country music,” said Kim from Ocean City. “Hearing her live was just incredible.”
At 6:15 p.m., Clint Black took the stage to continue the evening’s classic country streak. He kicked off his set with the lively “The Shoes You’re Wearing,” transitioning smoothly into “Straight From the Factory” and the heartfelt “A Better Man.” The crowd was treated to a mix of Clint Black’s timeless hits, including “Summer’s Comin’,” “Nobody’s Home,” and “Walkin’ Away.” As he played “Nothing’s News” and “When My Ship Comes In,” the crowd swayed along to his familiar tunes.
Black kept the energy going with “Killin’ Time,” a crowd favorite, and delivered with songs like “State of Mind” and “Like the Rain.” The audience erupted when Black performed “A Good Run of Bad Luck” and even brought out a cover of Waylon Jennings’ “Are You Sure Waylon Done It This Way,” showcasing his versatility. He ended his set with “Nothin’ but the Taillights,” leaving longtime fans like Roger from Dover, DE, in high spirits. “Clint Black is timeless—his music never gets old.”
Jelly Roll and Riley Green Bring the Night to Life
As night fell, Jelly Roll took over the stage at 7:15 p.m., delivering an emotional and intense performance that connected deeply with the crowd. His raw, confessional lyrics resonated with fans like Emily from Philadelphia, who said, “He’s so real. Every word feels like he’s lived it.” Jelly Roll’s set mixed country with rock influences, leaving the audience moved by his authenticity.
Riley Green followed at 8:30 p.m., kicking off his set with the hit “Different ‘Round Here” and keeping the energy high with “If It Wasn’t for Trucks.” The crowd erupted when Jelly Roll returned to join Green for a cover of Toby Keith’s “Should’ve Been a Cowboy.” Green’s setlist was filled with fan favorites, including “Georgia Time” and “When She Comes Home Tonight,” before he honored Toby Keith again with a performance of “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American).”
The collaborations didn’t stop there, as Ella Langley joined Green on stage for their duet “Don’t Mind If I Do” and a cover of “You Look Like You Love Me.” Clint Black returned to the stage for a heartfelt rendition of “Hell of a Way to Go” with Green, bringing a special moment to the night. Riley closed his set with the emotional “I Wish Grandpas Never Died,” leaving fans singing along with every word. “Riley’s set was just fire,” said Matt from Arlington, VA. “He really knows how to connect with the crowd.”
Eric Church Closes with an Electrifying Finale
The highlight of the night was the headlining performance by Eric Church, who took the stage at 9:30 p.m. to a sea of cheering fans. Opening with “The Outsiders,” Church set the tone for what would be a high-energy, unforgettable show. He powered through hits like “How ‘Bout You” and “Heart on Fire,” getting the crowd fully engaged. Church slowed things down briefly with the emotional “Hell of a View” and “Mr. Misunderstood,” only to ramp things up again with “Drink in My Hand.”
As Church moved through his setlist, performing “Country Music Jesus” and “Pledge Allegiance to the Hag,” the audience stayed with him every step of the way. His nostalgic performances of “Carolina” and “Talladega” brought the night to a sentimental peak, before he launched into high-energy tracks like “Record Year” and “Desperate Man.”
The crowd erupted when Church delivered “Springsteen,” with thousands singing along under the night sky. To close, he stunned the audience with “Darkest Hour,” leaving fans like Kelly from Pittsburgh, PA, saying, “This was one of the best concerts I’ve ever seen. Eric Church live is a whole different experience.”
A Promising Start to Country Calling
Day 1 of Country Calling 2024 set a high bar, with memorable performances from both rising stars and country legends. Fans left the festival grounds buzzing with excitement for Day 2. “Every act was amazing,” said Sarah from Annapolis. “I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings.”
