BRISTOL, Tenn. – Jason Aldean wowed a crowd of nearly 2,500 people at Bristol’s Viking Hall Friday night.

That was a good thing.

The rock-country singer – wearing tight jeans and a cowboy hat – really had a tough act to follow after Lady Antebellum warmed up the concert hall with rockin’ covers of The Doobie Brothers’ "Long Train Runnin’ " and Tom Petty’s "Free Falling."

Never mind any category of country, Lady Antebellum is really a rock band with a gonzo guitar player.

This newly-arrived act also sports heavenly harmonies between singers Hillary Scott and Charles Kelley.

"Bristol, y’all look good tonight!" Scott shouted at Friday’s audience of largely 20-somethings.

Lady Antebellum won big applause for songs like "Love’s Looking Good On You" and "Love Don’t Live Here" plus a moody ballad, "All We’d Ever Need."

But then came a raucous cover of The Black Crowes’ "Hard to Handle." And, this time, the band’s sound simply exploded on stage, delivering equal parts funk and fun.

Aldean later roared on stage with more thunder as he charged through songs like "Johnny Cash," amid blinding stage lights.

The Georgia singer performed "Grown Woman," even though he missed his duet partner, Miranda Lambert.

At another point, teen girls swooned as Aldean sang a slow ballad called "Laughed Until We Cried."

Picking up the pace, Aldean cruised through a cool version of Dwight Yoakam’s "Long White Cadillac" then offered the aggressive rhythm of "Relentless."

At last, though, it was "Hick Town" that really made Aldean a hero. The rising star climbed into the crowd and slapped hands with the audience as practically everyone sang along.

Opening act Eric Durrance performed a mostly acoustic set, highlighted by a tearjerker called "Angels Fly Away" and the funny, high-energy "Turn It Off" – a comical plea for a girl to turn off her computer and turn on her romantic charms.

jtennis@bristolnews.com | (276) 791-0704