There are few voices around that can leave you speechless song after song for 40 years. On July 25, Allison Krauss & Union Station did just that, as they performed a bluegrass clinic for fans at CMAC. Providing support was the youthful Theo Lawrence, with a nostalgic voice.
Knowing there is a powerful angelic voice following him, Theo Lawrence got the show rolling right around 7:30, as he took the stage for a solo set. Watching him walk up and hearing his voice as he welcomed the crowd, myself and other unsuspecting fans were taken aback when he started singing.
The 30-year-old, originally from Paris, belted out with such confidence a powerful 45-minute set. When you hear the phrase “don’t judge a book by its cover, you”, you need to heed that advice as nothing could have prepared us for the sound. 50s and 60s country, raw and untamed. Vibes of a young Willie Nelson, Conway Twitty, and hint of Johnny Cash all rolled into this tiny frame from Paris, France.
Lawrence admittedly enjoys the sad songs, he said he feels better with them. Heartache seems to a common theme with songs like “I’ll Never Get Over You” and “Everyday Ends in Why”.
If you are fan of the old school country sounds, Theo Lawrence must be in your playlist. An old soul trapped in a young body, inspiring a new generation.
Setlist (not in order but included) I Love You Bartender, Cherie, Everyday Ends in Why, I’ll Never Get Over You, Are You Thinking of Me (w/Phil Holly) and California Poppy.
2025 provided fans of AKUS with a new album, Arcade. The first in 14 years for the band, and a massive tour in support. The tour continues into 2026 with plenty of fresh stops along the way. Bluegrass isn’t a typical genre in today’s world, but that is where Krauss comes into play. With a fan base growing since the late 80s, and thanks in part to music from O Brother, Where Art Thou? she has helped the genre make a comeback.
Getting started around 830, AKUS quietly took the stage and started the bluegrass clinic. “Looks Like The End of The Road”, “Granite Mills”, and “Choctaw Hayride” got the ball rolling. From the onset, it was surely a different feeling from the crowd. Gone were the energetic 20 somethings who are on their feet for the entire show, not caring about who they bump into or where their $18 beer spills. Gone are the deafening basslines and pyrotechnics. This was truly and grown-up show, with a more laid-back demeanor.
Calmly cruising through the set, with a little story telling along the way, Krauss provided the auditory picnic with angelic vocals and rustic fiddle sounds. Backing her up was Jerry Douglas (dobro, lap steel guitar, vocals), Jacob Ferguson (guitar), Ron Block (banjo, bass), Russel Moore (vocals, guitar, bass, fiddle), and Barry Bales (stand up bass)
Acknowledging each one individually, you can hear the pride in her voice as she talked about them. Moore introduced as a six-time nominee Male Vocalist of The Year from American Bluegrass Association (with three wins to his credit).
Barry Bales is credited with writing a song for a guy named Chris Stapelton, who Krauss admits that he should be able to capitalize on “Nobody to Blame”. She carries on, making it clear that she is honored and privileged to be able to continue to work with such talented group of musicians.
For nearly two hours, auditory palettes were gently massaged with the timeless sounds of American bluegrass. This whole time, fans were seated, but some of the songs that got them hooked on AKUS. The band finishes up with “Gravity” from 2004’s Lonely Runs Both Ways, and they give a wave to fans as they depart the stage. As stage hands come on and start moving stuff around, we aren’t sure if there will be an encore. There are no house lights, so that is good sign. Finally the stage hands depart and AKUS returns.
With one mic in front of them, Ferguson, Block, Moore, and Krauss perform a stripped-down version of “Whiskey Lullaby”, along with “When You Say Nothing at All”, and “Down to The River to Pray”. For the first time, the crowd was up and they didn’t know if they should stay up or sit down. Many of them sat down, as the encore continued with three more songs, concluding with 2010s “There Is A Reason”
For many fans like myself, hits like “When You Say Nothing at All” and “Whiskey Lullaby” were our introductions to Allison Krauss and the rest just grew on us. Lyrics that hit home, and resonate hook us and pull us in. For others, its the simplicity of the old school sounds that our parents or grandparents grew up with. Either way, Allison Krauss & Union Station hit this one out of the park, delivering a titillating show that will forever live on in our hearts.
Setlist: Looks Like the End of The Road, Granite Mills, Choctaw Hayride, Sawing on the Strings, Rain Please Go Away (D. McCoury cover), Every Time You Say Goodbye, Cluck Old Hen, The Lucky One, Ghost in This House (Shenandoah cover), I Don’t Believe You’ve Met My Baby, Goodbye is All We Have, Babey Now That I’ve Found You (The Foundations cover), Wish I Still Had You, Angel Flying Too Close to The Ground (W. Nelson cover), Let Me Touch You For A While, Tribute to Peader O’Donnell/Lil’ Ro Ro/Little Martha (J. Douglas solo), Dust Bowl Chicken (P. Rowan cover), The Boy Who Wouldn’t Hoe Corn, Lie Awake, The Hangman, Unionhouse Ranch, One Ray of Shine, Testless, North Side Gal (JD McPherson cover), Forget About It, Crazy as Me, Shadows (G. Lightfoot cover), My Opening Farewell, Paper Airplane, Gravity
Encore: When You Say Nothing at All, Whiskey Lullaby, Down to the River to Pray, A Living Prayer, When He Reached Down His Hand for Me, There Is a Reason
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