Jason Aldean plays to enthusiastic crowd at Show Me Center

Fans from Missouri and the surrounding states filled the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau on Thursday to hear country music artist Jason Aldean, who has had 10 songs top the Billboard singles charts since 2005.

Hillary Gilbene and Amber Luttvell, both 20 and friends from Arkansas, were two of 5,585 who attended the event.

The pair won meet-and-greet passes from a radio station and were excited to hear Aldean's song "She's Country."

Jason Aldean performs at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau on Thursday, Sept. 23, 2010. (Kristin Eberts)

"It sums up how we are," Gilbene said. "It sums up where we live."

Warming up the crowd for Aldean were three Australian sisters, The McClymonts, and country recording artist Luke Bryan, who recently received his gold record plaque for his "Doin' My Thing" album.

Bryan performed most of his radio hits, including "Do I," "Country Man" and his most recent single, "Someone Else Calling You Baby."

Jason Aldean performs at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau on Thursday, Sept. 23, 2010. (Kristin Eberts)

Leadwood, Mo., residents Shaun and Jamie Meinershagen, lifelong country music fans, took their son Jacob to the concert to celebrate his 12th birthday.

Shaun Meinershagen said he enjoys Bryan's show because the singer seems down-to-earth and like someone you'd go to high school with.

"He's a hometown country boy," he said. "I mean, he's talking to us about shooting his bow and arrow this morning."

The cowboy hat of Trenten Stroder is silhouetted as he watches Jason Aldean perform at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau on Thursday, Sept. 23, 2010. (Kristin Eberts)

Sikeston, Mo., couple Jim and Tina Witrow said they're fans of Aldean because he puts on high-energy shows and his songs are easy to relate to.

"I got our tickets on the first day of ticket sales," said Tina Witrow, who was celebrating her 40th birthday with her husband.

Eight-year-old Cailyn Green, a regular concertgoer, was excited to hear Aldean's new single, "My Kinda Party." Her mother, Tammy Green, said it was their first time seeing Aldean, although they'd been to see Trace Adkins, Dierks Bentley and Three Doors Down together in the past.

Jason Aldean performs at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau on Thursday, Sept. 23, 2010. (Kristin Eberts)

"The only bad experience is a missed experience," Tammy Green said about sharing the night with her daughter.

Show Me Center marketing director Shannon Buford said the attendance was what organizers thought it would be.

"Jason is such a popular singer, and whenever you throw Luke Bryan and The McClymonts in the mix, you know you're going to get an amazing show," Buford said. "That's about the loudest I've heard it get in the Show Me Center."

ehevern@semissourian.com

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