Kenny Chesney Brings ‘The Good Stuff’ to Bryce Jordan Center Performance

Country music star Kenny Chesney performed on Saturday, March 25, at the Bryce Jordan Center as part of his “I Go Back” tour.

Kelsea Ballerini, who temporarily filled in for Kelly Clarkson as a coach during season 20 of “The Voice,” opened for Chesney. The duo got the sold-out crowd singing along for two hours straight in Chesney’s first performance in State College since 2004.

Ballerini opened with “Love is a Cowboy” and “Hole in the Bottle.” The crowd was hyped and greeted Ballerini with a “We Are” chant in typical Penn State fashion. Ballerini expressed how excited she was to be at Penn State and open for Chesney since she grew up with his music.

Ballerini slowed things down with her song, “Penthouse.” She dedicated the song to anyone in the crowd going through heartbreak, as her own musical journey began with heartbreak. The heartbreak was due to her parents getting divorced when she was 12, which led her to write music as a form of expression.

Finally, Ballerini ended her set with sass while performing “Miss Me More.”

After a brief intermission, Chesney took the stage to perform “Til It’s Gone” and “Beer in Mexico.” After welcoming fans to the show, Chesney apologized for his 19-year-long absence in Happy Valley.

Throughout the night, fans sang, drank, and danced, as Chesney played his hits, including “American Kids,” “When the Sun Goes Down,” and “I Go Back.”

Chesney slowed things down by performing “The Good Stuff,” and the audience turned on its flashlights and swayed to the melody.

Chesney asked if there were any “wild childs” in the audience, as Ballerini returned to the stage. The two dueted “Wild Child” and “Half of My Hometown.”

Ballerini encouraged the crowd to join in and sing “Happy Birthday” to Chesney, whose birthday was on Sunday, March 26. Chesney also shares his birthday with his drummer, Sean Paddock.

Finally, Chesney closed the show with “Don’t Happen Twice.” Once it ended, Chesney signed autographs for fans in the pit. One fan who attended the show for their 21st birthday was lucky enough to go home with a signed guitar.