Sunday, March 11th , The Southern Uprising Tour made a stop at Busch Gardens in Tampa for their Food & Wine Festival. Headlining this tour is two of country’s triple threat artist. Both are singer/songwriters, and master musicians – Travis Tritt and The Charlie Daniels Band! Accompanying on tour, was The Marshall Tucker Band and The Outlaws. Nowhere else will you find four of country’s greatest acts in one lineup.

The Outlaws kicked the day off performing some of their biggest hits with songs like, “There Goes Another Love Song,” “Gunsmoke,” “Waterhole,” and “It’s about Pride.”

World renowned, The Marshall Tucker Band was up next. This sextet is made up of Doug Gray (original member), Marcus James Henderson, Chris Hicks, Rick Willis, Tony Black, and B.B. Borden. Feeding the crowd the energy with smash hits from their early days in the 1970’s till now with “Heard It in a Love Song,” “Can’t You Seem,” and “Fire on the Mountain.”

The stage was set and the crowd erupted when Charlie Daniels name is announced. A short prolonged moment of background music built the suspense and then, out walked Country Music Hall of Famer Charlie Daniels takes to the spotlight. Charlie is one that is open about his love for America and staying true to his roots. “Long Haired Country Boy” “(What the World Needs Is) and A Few More Rednecks” are a few songs that Daniels sung with all his might. Tearing up the fiddle till the strings came flying off his bow, Daniels never stopped or slowed down.

Now at 81, Daniels still performs with great enthusiasm and heart, something that you can’t find in some artists. Daniels is a true entertainer that is pure to his songs and his musical talent, there’s no auto tune here! “Simple Man” is another well-written song from Charlie’s slew of tracks to pick from for his shows. Charlie wrapped up the show with flashing lights and intense fiddle playing that is a cherishing moment to watch as he can only do. “The Devil Went Down To Georgia” may have wrapped up his set, but gives you goose bumps the whole song through!

It is difficult to put to words how incredible Travis Tritt’s live show really is. To start off by saying he has more energy than any single body in the crowd would be an understatement judging by his stage dancing, jumping, and smiling from the moment he walked up on stage to the moment the lights went dark. Sometimes you hear an artist on the radio but when heard live they don’t live up to the hype. I can say the complete opposite of Travis. His vocals are still as bone chilling and soul piercing as they sound on the radio if not better!

His set kicked off with, “I’m Gonna Be Somebody,” which created a deafening atmosphere from all the cheering from the crowd. You could hear the fans singing right along with Travis Tritt verse for verse on “Help Me Hold On,” “Best of Intentions,” and “It’s A Great Day to Be Alive.” Very few artists can say they’ve impacted multi-generations and Sunday was proof that Travis Tritt has accomplished that. Travis Tritt has fans of all ages and songs for every emotion.

Travis left it all on stage Sunday bringing out all his greatest hits with “Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde” and “Love of a Woman” on his set list. Country isn’t what it used to be, and Travis’ shows that it’s far from dead. Travis gives honor to those he looked up to when he cut his teeth in the musical world with the song “Outlaws like Us,” that he co-wrote with country legends Merle Haggard and Hank Williams Jr.   He gave props to Chris Stapleton with a soulful cover of his rendition of “Nobody to Blame.” Country is Travis Tritt, from the songs he sings to the life he lives.

Overall, This show was one of the most entertaining, forget about the world and enjoy the moment types of shows. I would recommend to anyone if you haven’t seen these artist before, I urge you to do so. I have always respected these artist for what they do, cherished certain songs of theirs of different reasons, but one things for certain: Charlie Daniels and Travis Tritt’s legacy will continue to be unmatched by any and all.

This show was part of Busch Garden’s Food and Wine Festival, which continues every weekend from now until April 29^th. There is some great entertainment performing at this festival in the weeks to come, including: Goo Goo Dolls (March 18), Better Than Ezra/Tonic (March 24), Michael Bolton (March 25), Boyz II Men (March 31), Hank Williams Jr. (April 7), TLC (April 8), Brett Michaels (April 14), Kool & The Gang and The Commodores (April 15), The All-American Rejects (April 21), Cole Swindell (April 22) and Flo Rida (April 28). Concert entertainment is included with any pass, fun card or daily admission to the park. Busch Gardens does offer the opportunity to purchase VIP Seating on their website for an additional fee.