Saturday night, I caught Keith Urban and Kenny Chesney on Chesney’s Poets and Pirates Tour at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. It was the day I’d been waiting for since February, when, after seeing Urban rock Madison Square Garden, I found myself wondering how, year after year, Chesney could manage to win Entertainer of the Year. I understand it now, but I still don’t agree with it…
My sister, a longtime Chesney fan, had always raved about Kenny’s crowd control, and it’s true: the people love him. They sing every word to every song, pausing only to say that they love him (my sister) or to curse when they spill their beer or fruity beverages (the people seated behind us). Chesney works the stage so hard, in fact, that he starts sweating through his T-shirt during the opening song — which you’ve got to respect. And he clearly wants you to feel as though he’s partying with you (I’m sure the people who joined him in multiple renditions of the Eagles’ fight song believed that he was).
I sang along to "Living in Fast Forward" and "Anything But Mine" as loudly as the next person, but if you told me that I could only see one of them, Kenny or Keith, in concert again, I’d choose Keith. Not all of the songs I listen to have to mention sand and some kind of fruit wine. (Okay, only three-quarters of Kenny’s songs do that.) And I love watching Keith play the guitar. He actually picked up a gift from a fan with his teeth so that he didn’t miss a note. (You’ve got to respect that as much, or more.)
Luckily, country fans don’t have to choose between the two. But if you did, who would it be?
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Urban – not even a contest.
I was at this concert and Keith was amazing as usual……..KEITH URBAN hands down.
Keith.. ALL THE WAY. He is absolutely ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR, in my eyes. No one not even Chesney even ranks close. I wish the awards would pick up on that!
With no hesitation, Keith Urban.
There’s a reason Kenny wins those awards year after year…he DESERVES them hands down. By far the best ENTERTAINER the country music business has ever seen!
I travel near & far each year to see Kenny. I will continue to do that until for the rest of my life. It doesn’t get any better than Kenny.
Kenny Chesney has earned his EOTY Award each & every year!
NO WAY!! Kenny Chesney is the ULTIMATE Entertainer EVERY Year! He is Awesome!
Keith Urban is one of best of the best. He makes you feel happy and alive in his songs and his performance. There is no contest between these two.ITS KEITH HANDS DOWN>
Keith Urban IS the EOTY every year! I am one that has never understood Kenny’s huge popularity! Even on award shows Keith is always entertaining never Kenny! It’s the party atmosphere at Kenny’s shows and his enormous guest list that puts him up there every year not his real talent like Keith’s!
I always thought Kenny was a great entertainer until I saw Keith as a headlining act. Now I no longer consider him an entertainer, but a performer, (who I still enjoy). I am 44 years old and have attended a fair share of concerts since I was 13, Keith is the best entertainer I have ever seen. He knows how to work the crowd, get them involved and he takes them on one heck of 2 hr + ride. You hate to see it come to an end, and you stay on that high for days. Keith is the best.
Keith Urban by far! He’s amazing!
OMG PEOPLE, KEITH URBAN ALL THE WAY. HELLO, KEITH DOSN’T NEED A BUNCH OF OTHER ENTERTAINERS AT HIS SHOWS !!
I’m with you, Mandi — Kenny’s great, but if I had to choose, I’d choose Keith.
No question..Keith blows “all my songs sound exactly the same” Chesney out of the water. Kenny is trying way to hard to be the next Jimmy Buffett and failing miserably at it.
Oh it is definately Keith. Kenny is good, but Keith is great!
Keith Urban is the ultimate entertainer. Not only does the man compose, play numerous instruments and sing…he can also work a crowd like no other male vocalist in country music today. His stage presence is awesome…he makes every member of the crowd feel as tho he is singing directly to them. Kenny may hold the “physical” EOTY award…..but, Keith Urban IS the EOTY!!
I have to agree that all Kenny songs sounds the exact same. Keith rules. He is a true talent. Does Kenny even write his own songs??!!!!
Kenny Chesney all the way! His voice is so soothing, his songs are awesome, so much better and he has a tight body! LOVE those arms and butt!
Keith Urban is definitely EOTY! Keith is such a great performer always bringing us a fresh show every night. Hands down, Keith is the ultimate EOTY!!!
Kenny is a fun time. You go, you sing, you drink. But, it’s the same show year after year. And, frankly, last time I saw him the audience sang more than he did. AT $80/ticket, not okay!
It’s not even a contest. Keith is a true talent and musician. He actually talks to the audience and seems grateful that we all are showing up to his shows – especially since he’s just out there playing the music he loves. Every show is a good time. (even if you are sitting down rubbing your very pregnant friend’s back!)
Keith is the most amazing entertainer – the best show I have ever been to.
This isn’t even a question.. This award goes to Mr. Keith Urban. Best concert I have ever been to and I have been to many.
Keith Urban for sure!!!!! Keith puts so much into every performance and makes everyone feel part of the show. Keith is the greatest!
Keith!!!!!I like Kenny too but Keith is the whole package. To watch him play that guitar and sing is a gift.
DEFINITELY Keith Urban all the way! He’s the consummate entertainer–he’s amazing in every way. I enjoy Kenny, don’t get me wrong. But Keith is on a whole different playing field–he’s the total package!!
Keith is EOTY!
Gary Allan. I like my guys a little less… waxed.
Lil Baby Keith all the way, He can sing, Plays guitar better than ANYONE i have ever seen and is sexy to boot!!!!!
Keith Urban all the way. As previous posters have stated, he is the total package. I have enjoyed my fair share of Kenny Chesney concerts as well, including one with Dierks Bentley, Keith Urban and Kenny Chesney which i partied way too much at…fun times. Thanks for posting this very poignant question.
kenny , all the way
Not being a big country fan, I don’t think I’ve ever consciously heard one of their songs, but I’d go with Keith. I like that he’s an Australian country singer. LOL
Seeing the picture of the two of them reminded me that Nicole Kidman and Renee Zelwegger were in “Cold Mountain” together, and Renee was married to Kenny and it ended in kind of a scandal and Nicole is married to Keith and Renee got an Oscar for that movie but she didn’t…I wonder what the relationship dynamics are in that group.