By Christian Scalise

“CMA Brings Nashville Glitz to Chicago”

Thanks to the CMA (Country Music Association) one of country music’s grandest superstars, Lee Ann Womack returned to Joe’s Bar on Friday October 2nd, 2009 accompanied by heavyweight songwriters Bob DiPiero, Dean Dillion and Scotty Emerick for the “CMA Songwriters Series” concert.

Since 2005 the annual event has showcased some of the finest talent from Nashville’s songwriting community at New York City’s legendary venue Joe’s Pub. The series allows the writers to bring the hit songs they’ve written for other artists to life. This year for the first time ever the “CMA Songwriters Series” has hit the road giving local Chicagoans an opportunity to catch the excitement themselves firsthand.

Normally a standing room only venue with limited seating, Joe’s transformed their main floor into an elegant soiree complete with candlelit tables and personalized service. Towards the back of the venue there was a moderate amount of fans that stood for the entire concert.

After a brief introduction by well known US99.5 personality Lisa Dent; Dean Dillion, Scotty Emerick, Lee Ann Womack and Bob DiPiero took the stage at 8:35pm. While the men opted to dress more casually, Lee Ann looked sensational in a fashionably dark lavender mini dress with black leggings and six inch platform heels to match.

Serving as the host of the evening as well as performer, Bob DiPiero opened the show with mega-hit “If You Ever Stop Loving Me,” a song that he wrote famously recorded by music duo Montgomery Gentry.

Lee Ann Womack performed a selection of her greatest hits throughout the evening such as “A Little Past Little Rock (written by Brett Jones, Tony Lane, and Jess Brown),” “Twenty Years and Two Husbands Ago (written by Lee Ann, Dean Dillion and Dale Dodson),” “I’ll Think Of A Reason Later (written by Tony Martin and Tim Nichols)” and “I May Hate Myself In The Morning (written by Odie Blackmon), a song about a woman who’s well aware of the consequences of the morning after but chooses to partake in a night of passion with the man she desires.

It is always a rare treat to witness Lee Ann perform acoustically because her powerful vocals are given the well deserved opportunity to stand out with nothing but the acoustic guitar and provided harmony vocals.

Lee Ann successfully took on a bluesy cover of the sensual Cindy Walker ballad, “You Don’t Know Me.” One thing I’ve learned from watching Lee Ann through the years is that she can sing any ballad and then effortlessly take it to the next level resulting in pure musical ecstasy.

Bob DiPiero enticed the audience with his vast selection of hits like “You Can’t Take The Honky Tonk Out Of The Girl (recorded by Brooks and Dunn),” “Blue Clear Sky (recorded by George Strait),” “American Made (recorded by Oak Ridge Boys),” and “Gone (recorded by Montgomery Gentry)” much to the delight of the intensely riled audience.

Conveying a great sense of humor and an intriguing talent for expressing colorful stories from his many years as a songwriter in the business, Bob prompted the audience to uproar in laughter on many different occasions during the evening.

Wearing a cowboy hat with jeans and boots, Scotty Emerick charmed the ladies of the audience with his good looks and southern charm. Known for writing some of megastar Toby Keith’s biggest hits such as “Beer For My Horses,” “I Love This Bar,” “I’m Just Talkin’ About Tonight,” and “Whiskey Girl,” Scotty performed a solid variety of his originals as well as songs that he wrote for other artists.

The very comical “Love Me Like My Dog” and rowdy “I Need A Beer” were both well taken by the semi enjoyably intoxicated crowd!! He shared stories behind the history of the song “Beer For My Horses,” written with pal Toby Keith shortly after 9/11 and the wildly outlandish “Weed with Willie,” a song that was written about a visit on Willie’s bus many years back. “Weed with Willie” needs no explanation; just let your mind do the rest!

One of Nashville’s most notable songwriters, Dean Dillon displayed his sense of quick wit and humor as he delivered a jam packed serving of hit songs “The Chair,” “Unwound,” “Ocean Front Property,” and “She Let Herself Go (all recorded by George Strait)” plus “Tennessee Whiskey (recorded by the legendary George Jones).”

Closing out the amazing evening of memorable stories, jokes, and fine songs, music sweetheart Lee Ann Womack moved the audience with her emotionally packed mega-ballad “I Hope You Dance.” The show ended at 10:30pm.

Full Set List:

1. If You Ever Stop Loving Me (Bob DiPiero)

2. A Little Past Little Rock (Lee Ann Womack)

3. Love Me Like My Dog (Scotty Emerick)

4. The Chair (Dean Dillon)

5. Can’t Take The Honky Tonk Out Of The Girl (Bob DiPiero)

6. You Don’t Know Me (Lee Ann Womack)

7. Beer For My Horses (Scotty Emerick)

8. Unwound (Dean Dillon)

9. Blue Clear Sky (Bob DiPiero)

10. Twenty Years and Two Husbands Ago (Lee Ann Womack)

11. Weed with Willie (Scotty Emerick)

12. Tennessee Whiskey (Dean Dillon)

13. American Made (Bob DiPiero)

14. I’ll Think Of A Reason Later (Lee Ann Womack)

15. If I Had A Beer (Scotty Emerick)

16. When Hell Freezes Over (Dean Dillon)

17. Mirror Mirror (Bob DiPiero)

18. I May Hate Myself in the Morning (Lee Ann Womack)

19. I Love This Bar (Scotty Emerick)

20. Set’ Em Up Joe (Dean Dillon)

21. Gone (Bob DiPiero)

22. As Good As I Once Was (Scotty Emerick)

23. Ocean Front Property (Dean Dillon)

24. She Let Herself Go (Dean Dillon)

25. Living For The Night (Dean Dillon)

26. I Hope You Dance (Lee Ann Womack)

Enjoy pictures from the show below: (Photo credit ©Christian Scalise)

To learn more about the CMA Songwriters Series, check out their website here: http://cmasongwritersseries.com/