The first ever 94.7 Fresh FM Acoustic Christmas was held at The Fillmore Silver Spring and already has the bar raised with this year’s lineup. Headlining the show was Gavin DeGraw with The All-American Rejects, and Casey Abrams anchoring the triple threat. It was a cold and rainy Sunday night but fans braved the weather, anxiously waiting in a very long line to enter. The show was completely sold out with much anticipation looming.
As fans finally settled inside the cramped venue, Casey Abrams started off the evening singing solo with only his acoustic guitar in hand. He belted out songs from his self-titled debut album such as “Simple Life” and “Blame It On Me.” Mid-set he switched instruments and plucked from his upright bass. This singer-songwriter (who took 6th on the 10th season of American Idol) was truly amazing. He finished his set with the more familiar song from his album, “Get Out.”The crowd sang right along with him.
Next to perform was The All-American Rejects, whose acoustic versions of their popular hits brought the house down. Their extensive list of chart toppers created an organic connection between the band and the audience. Lead singer, Tyson Ritter, easily interacted with fans with songs that ranged from “Swing, Swing,” found on their self-titled album released in 2003, “Dirty Little Secret” and “It Ends Tonight,” from Move Along, “Gives You Hell,” from When the World Comes Down, and “Heartbeat Slowing Down” from their most current album, Kids in the Street, released this year.
The night finished with a very powerful performance by Gavin DeGraw who began with “Sweeter” on piano. With only a guitarist accompanying him, DeGraw played his other hits like “Follow Through” and “In Love with a Girl” with so much heart and passion that it was easy to get lost in his music.
His performance of “Chariot” and “Soldier” evoked strong emotion from not only Gavin, but also the entire audience. His fans were simply moved. Even his version of Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On” was absolutely incredible. His voice oozed with sex appeal while his fingers lightly danced over the piano keys with such grace.
Gavin DeGraw has come a long way from playing in small venues, when I first met him, to now taking top billing for the show of this kind. Fans who solely came to see Gavin perform were not disappointed. He ended the night with his most popular hit “Not Over You,” but apparently his fans won’t be over him anytime soon.
GAVIN DeGRAW
THE ALL AMERICAN REJECTS
CASEY ABRAMS
