Richmond, VA – After nearly two years of performances to pixels making up imaginary audiences from lonely stages, Mickie James topped an unforgettable card in an all out country bash that took the Canal Club by storm on July 10, 2021.
The opening artist on the evening’s card was Enya Agerholm from central Virginia. Enya delivered an acoustic salvo of covers and couple originals. Opening with a cover of Maroon 5’s “Sunday Morning” and continuing with other covers, including the John Mayer tune, “Waiting for the World to Change“, it was a great act to set the tone. At one point, Enya asked the crowd if they wanted to hear a Britney Spears tune, which was followed by a call to “Free Britney” from the audience! Enya proceeded to deliver a wonderful country poppish version of “Toxic“. Enya shared two originals, the first was a soon to be released single called, “Playing with Fire” and the second was about a “relationship that sucked…. so I left.” It was a song called “Had It“. She finished with a Kelsea Balerini cover of “Hole in the Bottle“. As she left the ring, the stage had definitely been set for an appearance by the reining champion, Mickie James.
After a short break the audience was ready for the main event. Known for being a powerful wrestler and country singer, Mickie took to the stage performing “A Good Time” from her 2013 Somebody’s Gonna Pay album. As the song says, she was ‘starting to paint the town a new color tonight’. We were all ready to be painted black and blue by some hard pounding country.
Mickie proceeded to pummel the audience at the Canal Club with “Best Damn Night“… which gave a little wresting flare to the show. Mickie played a variety of her music, working us to the top rope where we could all see it was “A Long Way Down“… but no one cared how far down it was… we were ‘running with the devil’ and loving every bit of it.
Throughout the night Mickie talked about being back in her hometown of Richmond, VA and shared a Richmond song with us called, “Hollywood Movie Moment“. The song is about a relationship gone bad (she said she had many)… “He was a loser, but at least I got a good story out of it.” This is a great way to respond to that person who thinks it is always about them… in this case it was!
Mickie also took the time to slow things down when she dedicated “Who Knew” to her late sister. It was a somber piece, shared with the audience and her family members in attendance.
“Don’t Be Afraid to Fly” was another moving song, reminding us to continue to chase our dreams. ‘Always remember it is never too late to fly’.
As Mickie’s set drew to a close she shared a few stories growing up in Virginia. One story that only one from Richmond would understand was about tubing down the rivah (referring to the James River). As she talked about it, we found out that, unlike the tubers of today with these ‘designer’ tubes, she grew up tubing with very large 18-wheeler tires. She attributes much of her wrestling career to having to handle such tires on the river. If you have ever dealt with large truck tires, it makes sense.
Mickie closed out this portion of the show with “80 Proof“… but the show was about to take a turn that a true fan could appreciate.
No main event would be complete without an out of town visitor making a surprise appearance to get the crowd rowdy and get their blood a-pumpin’. This night was no different. Entering the ring were the up and coming (and getting there quickly) country trio, Chapel Hart, by way of Poplarville, Mississippi. The trio, consisting of Danica Hart, Devynn Hart, and Trea Swindle joined Mickie and proceeded to deliver the biggest can of country whoopass ever seen at the Canal Club. The first song was a collaboration between Mickie and Chapel Hart called, “Grown Ass Woman (GAW)“, ‘throw ’em hell and they keep comin’ back’… the crowd was stompin’ it!
Second on the tag team setlist was Chapel Hart’s newest release, “You Can Have Him Jolene” which is a sequel to the Dolly Parton hit, “Jolene“. This is an exceptional (and fun) song that should make them valedictorian of the 2021 Next Women of Country class!
The match came to a rowdy end with a little “Keep Your Hands to Yourself“, “Best Shot“, and a leaving us with a little “Inner Skynyrd“.
As more and more venues start to open and live music reigns down on a melodic starved audience, I can only hope all bands can deliver a one-two-(three) punch like Mickie James and the rest. This night concluded with great music and hopefully a couple new friendships. I cannot wait to see Mickie light up the ring again (on stage) and I am anxiously awaiting to see the next chapter in the music careers of Enya and Chapel Hart. Here’s to the next bout, but not as distant as the last!
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Mickie James Setlist
A Good Time
Best Damn Night
Freedom Song
Long Way Down
Going Fast
Hollywood Movie Moment
Moonshine
I Just Wanna Do My Thing
Who Knew
Shooting Blanks
Don’t Be Afraid to Fly
Great Minds
Strangers and Angels
Left Right Left
Make Me Feel Like a Woman
Boomerang
Pink Houses
I Don’t Give A…
Get Down
80 Proof
With Chapel Hart
Grown Ass Woman (GAW)
You Can Have Him Jolene
Keep Your Hands to Yourself
Best Shot
Inner Skynyrd
