Jamey Johnson, Randy Houser Bring Big Country to Big Apple

Jamey Johnson and Randy Houser's stop at The Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, New York, last week was the first of many for this year's CMT on Tour and what Houser called a "warm-up gig" for the traveling duo. Country music fans in Brooklyn aren't many, but they sure are passionate. The numerous Willie Nelson t-shirts, cowboy boots and flannels in the room had the Nashville boys feeling right at home.

Randy hit the stage first to a hand-full of audience members, but his charisma soon filled the room as he started off his set with the rousing, 'Waylon Woulda Kicked Your Ass,' joking with the crowd, "Can y'all even understand me when I talk?" The Mississippi native then blew through his set-list with two Willie Nelson covers, 'Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys' and 'Whiskey River,' as well as his own big singles off his debut album 'Anything Goes,' including the title track and 'Boots On.' He also gave the audience a taste of a few new songs, like the house-shaking 'Cadillac' and 'The Way You Love Me.' By the end, Randy had the crowd so riled up, one fan even took off his boot and raised it to the singer.

Jamey may be Randy's best buddy, but they couldn't be any more different when it comes to stage demeanor. While Randy is all smiles, Johnson barely cracked a grin during his set, which starting off with his new hit single, 'My Way to You.' The soulful singer then made sure to play the hits from last year's album, 'That Lonesome Song,' including, of course, 'In Color,' 'Women' and 'High Cost of Living.'

For the finale, Jamey and Randy came onstage for two songs and were eventually joined by their bands in a group sing-a-long with the audience of 'Can't You See' by The Marshall Tucker Band. It was indeed a great warm-up for a second New York show the very next night at the famed Bowery Ballroom.