The inaugural Country Calling 2024 festival kicked off on a sun-drenched Friday in Ocean City, Maryland, bringing together fans of country music for a two-day event. The weekend delivered performances by rising stars and country legends alike, culminating in a headline performance from Eric Church that set the festival grounds ablaze. The festival’s mix of familiar names and new faces ensured a thrilling experience for attendees.
A Hometown Start with Jimmy Charles
The festival began at 12:30 p.m. on Friday with a performance from Ocean City native Jimmy Charles, setting the stage for a day of unforgettable music. Local pride was in full force as Charles took the stage to a warm reception. His performance featured a mix of original songs that resonated with the hometown crowd. Sarah from Annapolis, MD, expressed the sentiment shared by many: “It’s amazing to see someone from here get such a big stage.”
Charles’s setlist offered the perfect blend of feel-good tunes and heartfelt lyrics, warming up the crowd for the day ahead. His strong connection to the community was palpable, and the festival-goers were eager for the music to continue.
Afternoon Highlights: Hueston and NEEDTOBREATHE
As the afternoon rolled in, Hueston captivated the audience with a soulful performance that began at 1:45 p.m. Known for his deep voice and introspective lyrics, Hueston opened his set with the haunting “Gone With The Wind” before transitioning to emotional ballads like “Every Time Is The Last Time” and the reflective “What You Waiting On.” Fans connected with the raw emotion in his performance, especially during songs like “Bourbon In Barrels” and “Down To My Grave.” Tony from Baltimore remarked, “His voice just grabs you—it’s something real.”
By the time Hueston closed his set with the high-energy “Joy Ride,” the audience was fully engaged and ready for the next act.
At 3:15 p.m., the stage was set for NEEDTOBREATHE, who delivered a dynamic performance that had the crowd on their feet from the opening note. Starting with “No Excuses,” the band quickly energized the festival grounds. The biggest surprise came mid-set when they performed a cover of “The House of the Rising Sun,” which was met with thunderous applause. Hits like “The Outsiders,” “Girl Named Tennessee,” and “Brother” had the crowd singing along, while their closing song, “West Texas Wind,” left fans buzzing. Alex from Salisbury, MD, commented, “That cover was next level. And the way they worked in their hits—just incredible.”
Evening Performances: Martina McBride and Clint Black
As the sun set, anticipation grew for country legend Martina McBride’s performance at 5:15 p.m. Opening with “My Baby,” McBride immediately captured the attention of the audience. Her set was a well-balanced mix of emotional ballads and upbeat tunes, including fan favorites like “Safe,” “I Love You,” and her rendition of “Rose Garden.”
The audience’s energy peaked during “You Ain’t Woman Enough (To Take My Man),” and when McBride performed her hit “Blessed,” the festival grounds erupted in a collective cheer. As the set progressed, her powerful performances of “Wild Angels” and “House” showcased her vocal prowess, but it was her delivery of “Broken Wing” and “Independence Day” that left the audience 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.”
Following McBride, Clint Black took the stage at 6:15 p.m. to keep the classic country momentum going. Black kicked off with “The Shoes You’re Wearing,” and the audience was immediately hooked. Transitioning into songs like “Straight From the Factory” and “A Better Man,” Black kept the crowd engaged with a mix of familiar hits, including “Summer’s Comin’,” “Nobody’s Home,” and “Walkin’ Away.”
The crowd swayed to “Nothing’s News” and “When My Ship Comes In,” enjoying the timelessness of Black’s songs. The energy surged again during “Killin’ Time” and “State of Mind.” The crowd erupted when Black performed “A Good Run of Bad Luck” and offered a cover of Waylon Jennings’ “Are You Sure Waylon Done It This Way.” The set concluded with “Nothin’ but the Taillights,” leaving fans like Roger from Dover, DE, exclaiming, “Clint Black is timeless—his music never gets old.”
Jelly Roll and Riley Green Bring the Night to Life
As darkness fell, Jelly Roll took over the stage at 7:15 p.m., delivering one of the night’s most emotionally charged performances. Known for blending country with rock, Jelly Roll’s raw and confessional lyrics struck a chord with the audience. Emily from Philadelphia reflected on the experience: “He’s so real. Every word feels like he’s lived it.” His ability to connect with the audience on such a personal level made his performance one of the most memorable of the evening.
Following Jelly Roll’s intense set, Riley Green took the stage at 8:30 p.m., launching his performance with “Different ‘Round Here.” The crowd remained on their feet, energized by hits like “If It Wasn’t for Trucks.” The evening reached a high point when Jelly Roll returned to join Green for a duet of Toby Keith’s “Should’ve Been a Cowboy.” Green’s set continued with fan favorites like “Georgia Time” and “When She Comes Home Tonight.” He paid tribute to Toby Keith once again with a stirring performance of “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American).”
The collaborations didn’t stop there, as Ella Langley joined Green for their duet “Don’t Mind If I Do,” followed by a cover of “You Look Like You Love Me.” Clint Black returned to the stage for a special rendition of “Hell of a Way to Go” with Green, bringing a heartfelt moment to the night. Green closed his set with “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 day’s biggest moment came at 9:30 p.m. when Eric Church took the stage, immediately igniting the crowd with his opening song “The Outsiders.” From the first note, it was clear that Church was there to deliver a high-energy, unforgettable performance. He powered through hits like “How ‘Bout You” and “Heart on Fire,” keeping the audience fully engaged. Church slowed things down briefly with emotional performances of “Hell of a View” and “Mr. Misunderstood,” only to crank the energy back up with “Drink in My Hand.”
The crowd stayed with him through every note of “Country Music Jesus” and “Pledge Allegiance to the Hag.” Church’s nostalgic renditions of “Carolina” and “Talladega” brought the night to a sentimental peak, before launching back into high-energy tracks like “Record Year” and “Desperate Man.” Fans sang along with “Springsteen,” a highlight of the night, as Church’s vocals soared under the stars. He closed his set with “Darkest Hour,” leaving festival-goers like Kelly from Pittsburgh, PA, in awe. “This was one of the best concerts I’ve ever seen,” she said. “Eric Church live is a whole different experience.”
Day 2: Bailey Zimmerman and Tyler Childers Close Out the Festival
The final day of the inaugural Country Calling festival was just as impressive, featuring an array of country artists who kept the energy high throughout the day. Fans arrived early for Alana Springsteen’s 12:30 p.m. set, which delivered a heartfelt start to the day. Her soulful vocals resonated with the crowd, and her storytelling prowess ensured an intimate connection with festival-goers.
Drayton Farley followed at 1:45 p.m., delivering a raw and emotional set that touched on themes of working-class life and resilience. His performance was well-received by fans who appreciated the more introspective side of country music. By 2:30 p.m., Nikki Lane took the stage, bringing her outlaw country style to the festival. Her raspy voice and retro sound provided a fresh take on the day’s lineup, and her energy was infectious.
As the afternoon progressed, Parmalee and Dasha offered fans a choice between high-energy pop-country hits and soulful melodies. Parmalee’s polished sound and tight harmonies kept the crowd singing along, while Dasha’s performance provided a more mellow but equally captivating experience.
At 4:15 p.m., Tanya Tucker brought her legendary status to the stage, performing classics like “Delta Dawn” and “Two Sparrows in a Hurricane.” Her storied career was on full display, and festival-goers were reminded of her enduring place in country music history.
The evening continued with powerhouse performances from Brothers Osborne and Lainey Wilson, both of whom fired up the crowd with their dynamic sets. Brothers Osborne’s rock-infused country sound and Lainey Wilson’s commanding presence ensured that the energy stayed high as the night wore on.
Bailey Zimmerman took the stage at 8:30 p.m., delivering a mix of emotional ballads and up-tempo hits. His performance of songs like “Fall In Love” and “Rock and a Hard Place” had the crowd singing along, while tracks like “Religiously” and “Never Comin’ Home” showcased his range.
The night’s final act, Tyler Childers, closed out the festival with a captivating set that blended folk, bluegrass, and country. His performance of “Shake the Frost” immediately resonated with the crowd, and his setlist, including “Country Squire” and “I Swear (To God),” left the audience in awe.
A Promising Future for Country Calling
The inaugural Country Calling festival was a resounding success, delivering memorable performances from both rising stars and country legends. Fans left the festival grounds buzzing with excitement for future editions. As Sarah from Annapolis summed it up, “Every act was amazing. I can’t wait to see what next year brings.”
