REVIEW Brad Paisley charms audience with songs dedicated to love

Each of Paisley's band members is originally from Ohio.
By ASHLEE OWENS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
YOUNGSTOWN -- Country music star Brad Paisley had a little relationship advice for his audience.
A crowd of about 2,000 fixed its undivided attention on Paisley, who performed Sunday night at Stambaugh Auditorium. "American Idol 2" finalist Josh Gracin opened the show, which started at 8.
"Ladies?" the 32-year-old, dark-eyed, dark-haired Paisley intoned as "We Danced" concluded.
"Woo!" a female throng answered.
"I've got a question for you: How many here tonight could tell me something about your man you'd change if you got the chance?"
Loud cheers.
"That's not very nice," Paisley teased, straight-faced. "But I thought it would be the case."
He then shared two secrets to a successful relationship. "One, you have to have honesty; that's very important," he said, pausing significantly before delivering the playful punch.
"Second, and most important, you have to have the ability to know when not to be honest with the person you love."
The crowd went wild as Paisley and his band launched into "That's Love," an upbeat, humorous song that says "liking" your wife's burnt steak and saying no to the does-this-make-me-look-fat question isn't lying. It's loving.
Following was "Little Moments," a tender number about celebrating "the little imperfections" and "the sudden change in plans" inherent in relationships. Couples in the audience wrapped their arms around each other's waists and swayed to the soft, slow music.
Ohio natives
Wearing his signature white cowboy hat along with jeans and a flannel shirt, Paisley introduced his band members, pointing out that each was from Ohio: the guitarist, the fiddler, the steel guitarist, the bassist, the drummer and the keyboarder. Paisley, a native of West Virginia, made special note that drummer Ben Sesar was from Youngstown, thus delighting the crowd.
"Thank you very much, everybody. Thank you for being here tonight. It's such a pleasure," said Paisley, who performed 15 songs.
"We're glad you're here!" a female voice crowed from the depths of the hall.
"I love you, Brad!" someone else chimed in, followed by peals of giggles.
The audience, on its feet singing, clapping and cheering throughout the concert, collectively sat when the band left Paisley alone on stage, perched atop a stool. A misty beam of spotlight fell on the singer, who performed a gospel standard, then decided to play "something new, and dedicate it to the ladies here." The ballad's lyrics surprised the crowd, who laughed heartily at lines like, "If you want to say 'I love you,' put the toilet seat down."
Serious song
The band rejoined Paisley on stage for something a bit more serious. With the very first haunting guitar strains of "Whiskey Lullaby," the crowd shouted and cheered appreciatively, then quickly fell silent to listen to the tale of unrequited love and suicide.
Paisley soon had the audience back on its feet with "Celebrity," "I'm Gonna Miss Her," and the encore, Dire Staits' "Walk of Life." Multicolored lights pulsed over the stage. Paisley replaced his cowboy hat with a Cleveland Browns cap, defying Steelers fans in the audience who had identified themselves earlier.
"Thanks, everyone, for coming out tonight," Paisley repeated, then removed his guitar and disappeared into the wings.