Lee Brice’s acoustic performance at the Ryman Auditorium on Tuesday night (Feb. 18) offered an intimate journey through his life and career. Part of his You, Me & My Guitar Tour, the show focused on storytelling, deeply resonating with the audience. With no elaborate set or distractions, Brice took the stage surrounded by a collection of guitars, sharing his music and personal experiences.
The evening kicked off with Edwin McCain, who performed some of his most beloved songs, including “I Could Not Ask For More,” “Walk With You,” and “Take Me.” His charismatic banter set a lighthearted tone before he ended his set with “Solitude” and “See Off This Mountain.”
As Brice’s set began, a moving video montage set the emotional tone. As the clip concluded, Brice greeted the audience: “This is special for me. We’re going to talk about guitars, and we’re going to talk about my life.” The crowd was immediately engaged as he began sharing his journey, beginning with his first guitar—a gift signed by Willie Nelson. He explained how he learned to play, recalling the first few lines of “Hotel California,” which marked the beginning of his musical path.
His own musical timeline kicked off with “Picture of Me,” followed by a heartfelt piano rendition of “Oh How I Love Jesus,” honoring the church music that influenced his early years. The energy surged as the crowd stood for “Soul,” and Brice performed his latest single, “Cry.”
The next section of the show featured several meaningful covers that highlighted significant moments in Brice’s career. He started with Johnny Paycheck’s “Old Violin,” a song that inspired his move to Nashville, and then performed “Be Somebody” by Travis Tritt on Tritt’s actual guitar, paying tribute to the artist who shaped his journey. Brice continued with “More Than a Memory,” a song he penned for Garth Brooks, and “Crazy Girl,” a song he co-wrote for the Eli Young Band. The emotional performance of “Crazy Girl” became even more poignant when an audience member proposed to his partner during the song. After these emotional moments, the crowd was back on its feet for “Drinking Class.”
Brice then playfully teased his crew member, Simon, who riffed iconic rock hits before Brice dove into “Beverly Hills.” The crowd responded with enthusiasm as Brice and the band turned the Ryman into a lively celebration for “Parking Lot Party.”
The emotional high continued when Brice was honored with multiple career plaques. Jackie Jones from the RIAA presented him with plaques for his double-platinum hit “Boy” and six-times platinum “Rumor.” Storme Warren also presented Brice with a “Career Highlights” plaque, acknowledging his remarkable achievements, including 12 billion global streams, nine No. 1 radio singles, 18 billion airplay impressions, numerous awards, and contributions like $1.5 million donated to Folds of Honor. Brice was visibly moved, taking a moment to thank his fans and team.
A tender moment followed with Brice’s cover of “Wonderful Tonight” by Eric Clapton, where his vulnerability truly shone. He then transitioned to the piano for an emotional rendition of “I Don’t Dance,” leaving the audience in awe. The energy surged once again when Brice performed “Boy,” dedicating it to his son. He followed with “This Little Guitar,” a heartfelt song co-written with his daughter Trulee, featuring a heartwarming video of her singing along.
The night reached a peak when Brice was joinaed by Rebecca Lynn Howard for an unforgettable version of “I Will Always Love You.” The audience stood in ovation, deeply moved by the duet. “I’ll Be” followed, with both Howard and McCain, evoking chills throughout the room.
As the night progressed, Brice delivered more fan favorites like “Rumor” and “One of Them Girls.” Before performing “I Drive Your Truck,” Brice took a moment to honor military personnel, first responders, teachers, and healthcare workers, with the audience lighting up the room with their cell phone lights.
The crowd remained standing for “When the Kingdom Comes,” with just Brice and his guitar, no microphone, and a single spotlight. His voice filled the room in an a capella performance that gave everyone goosebumps.
Before ending the night, Brice shared, “This is me and my guitar, but I wouldn’t be anything without you,” prompting a standing ovation. He closed the show with the tour anthem, “You, Me & My Guitar.”
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