Faster Horses 2014: Big Stars, Crazy Crowd, Magnificent Music

As the day went on the acts were bigger, the crowd grew larger and the energy was unbelievable.  You could see the shock and amazement on each of the artists as their fans sang along to every word of their songs.  Multiple artists mentioned that the Faster Horses Festival was the best crowd they had played for all year long.

Artists To Watch For

Matt Austin:  A Michigan native with energy, passion, and a true love for the stage.  His new single "Redneck Date Night" is hitting the country music airwaves.  He loves his fans, taking time after the set to meet each and every person in line, pose for photos, and autograph anything (and I mean anything) the fans asked him to sign.

Sam Hunt:  A singer/songwriter with talent that will shoot him straight to the top.  Hunt has written "We Are Tonight" for Billy Currington and "Cop Car" for Keith Urban.   He started out his set on the Next From Nashville stage with his single "Raised On It" and the crowd went wild.  They sang along to every word of his newest release "Leave The Night On."  I predict next year Hunt will be near the top of the bill for the main stage.

JT Hodges:  One of the most humble artists I have ever met.  When I asked for a quick photo his response was "With Me?  Do you know who I am? What's my name?"  I couldn't help but laugh, he had just finished his set on the main stage.  With a personality like that he will rise through the country music ranks.  He has the looks, the voice and the talent to make it big in country music.  His single "Hunt You Down" had all of the girls swooning in the audience.

The crowd cheered and sang along with Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert, Darius Rucker, Little Big Town, Parmalee, Brett Eldredge, Chase Rice, and many other acts.  The lineup each day was incredible.

The person who stole the show was Cole Swindell.  He worked the stage and the crowd.  He was there to make sure his fans had fun.  A Georgia boy whose fun personality shown through.  Each time he finished a song he would run back to his drummer to say "this is crazy."  He had a look of shock and amazement on his face.  The crowd multiplied from the time his set started to the time it finished.  He made you want to sing along.  Swindell should be an example for all artist of how to put on a show.

Standing in the middle of the audience I heard many people say this is an event they will attend each year.  The festival grew from last year and I predict it will only get bigger next year.  The staff at Michigan International Speedway deserves a round of applause for making sure that guests were first priority.  The lines were short, there were vendors in the crowd so you didn't lose your place, and it was clean each day when you walked in.