Roots, Toots n' Hoots Blog

Advice for Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker: Avoid Chicago

Jeffrey Remz  |  January 21, 2011

It's no surprise at all that you're not going to find Chicago on Brad Paisley's itinerary for his just started H20 Frozen Over Tour. In fact, he probably should stay out of the Windy City for awhile.

That's because Paisley started his tour in Green Bay, Wisc. For non-football fans that's like the Yanks playing the Red Sox. Now, I can't fault Paisley for playing a small city to start his tour. That's standard really to get the wheels going in the right direction so to speak.

But Paisley probably drew the ire of Bears fans when who shows up onstage with him during I'm Still a Guy, but Aaron Rogers, the quarterback of the Packers. Wearing a baseball cap, Rogers drew a big hand from the crowd of almost 7,000. The fans also chanted "Go Pack Go" at various points during the concert, according to a review in the Green Bay Press Gazette.

"This is a class act,' Paisley said in introducing Rodgers, even though he probably didn't need one.

The newspaper said that during the encore of Alcohol, Rodgers, guard Josh Sitton, tackle Bryan Bulaga, kicker Mason Crosby and about a dozen other players were onstage for "a toast with red plastic cups, more high-fiving and more thunderous applause." Chances are that there was no alcohol in those cups or Coach Mike McCarthy might have a hissy fit royale.

Paisley made several references to the Pack, the Press Gazette review said. "Are you rootin' for anybody this weekend? You have a favorite?'

During Celebrity, Packers graphics showed up on screen. Paisley traded his white Stetson for a Packers stocking cap while going through crowd during Mud on the Tires. He also said it was a privilege to play "for the most diehard fans anywhere."

"Thank you for letting me be the drunken pre-party for the game,' he said. "Hope y'all have fun in the Super Bowl.'

Darius Rucker won no Chicago fans either on this evening. He told the crowd, "I'll see you Feb. 6,' a reference to the Super Bowl. A bit of advice for Rucker and Paisley, wait awhile before heading down south.