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Chicago's Windy City Smokeout Celebrates A Decade With Four Days Of Country Music Magic

Windy City Smokeout rang in a decades worth of country music memories this past weekend with a BANG!


Via Windy City Smokeout Instagram


Get this, GRAMMY award winner Zac Brown Band, the decorated ACM and CMA award winner Luke Bryan, GRAMMY award winner Darius Rucker, and GRAMMY award nominee Zach Bryan, headlined the four day bbq and music juggernaut!


The stacked lineup was handpicked by Chicago country music staple and multiple ACM Promoter of The Year Winner Ed Warm. To celebrate a decade of success in his home city, Ed has picked some of the biggest names in country music to headline each night. As well as a mix of todays biggest up and comers have also been included in the one of a kind lineup!


Our Favorite Moments


Thursday's are normally a slow and easy day at most festivals, however due to the high caliber of artists including country music sensation Zach Bryan people started lining up at 7am so they too could be apart of Windy City magic! From the smell of brisket in the air to the thousands of fans best in their country best the vibe was electric. From the day kicking off with J.R Carroll, as well as killer performances from North Carolina's American Aquarium as well as sensation Bailey Zimmerman the crowd was ready for a great time!




Texas icon Randy Rogers also played an electric hour long set getting fans ready for Zach Bryan. We could go on and on about the magic in Zach's set, but instead we will let you watch below!

Well rested and ready for more BBQ and music, country riser Jackson Dean kicked off day two. Full of grit and a voice uniquely his own, the Maryland native captivated the Chicago crowd! 90s country queen Jo Dee Messina brought all the nostalgia with her 75 minute set! Fans couldn't get enough of favorites, Bye Bye, Bring On The Rain and of course Heads Carolina, Tails California. Chris Lane got the crowd dancing, including a fun duet with twin brother Cory!



With the storms on their way country music veteran Darius Rucker and his killer band quickly took the stage! Playing fan favorites like Alright, Come Back Song and Wagon Wheel it was truly a night to remember!



Saturday brought another round of incredible BBQ and country music stars. Riser Tanner Adell kicked off the day with a set full of sass! Country music sweetheart and fan favorite Megan Moroney took the stage dawning a custom Cubs jersey and had every girl screaming her hits. Country crooner Kameron Marlowe gave the fans what they wanted, including a wild cover of Johnny Cash's Folsom Prison Blues! All around good time Dylan Scott got the party started and even accepted a Chicago classic, a beer snake from fans! Superstar Luke Bryan finished off the night in style! Watch below!


With a cool breeze and a lot of sunshine, country music fans rallied and were ready to send off a decade of Windy City Smokeout! Big Loud songstress Lauren Watkins kicked off the day! Caroline Jones the newest member of The Zac Brown Band took the stage to play her own set of songs including fan favorite Come in (But Don't Make Yourself Comfortable). Blue collar icon and powerhouse Larry Fleet got fans to rush the stage to listen to his old school take on country. Chicago favorites and Smokeout veterans Eli Young Band delivered a powerful performance full of sing a longs and dancing. Then the time had come, superstars The Zac Brown Band brought down the house. Playing hits after hit it was smiles all around!


Windy City Smokeout's tenth birthday party was truly one for the books. From out of the world BBQ from our nation's best to some of the best country music can offer, once again Windy City Smokeout proves it has the best experience for country music fans in Chicago and beyond!





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