Brantley Gilbert's 'The Blackout Tour' filled every seat in the U.S. Cellular Center Friday night and he closed the show with what had to be the biggest highlight of an awesome evening.

Friday's sold-out show featured nearly four hours of music, kicked off by Brian Davis, who has written a bunch of songs with Brantley and is touring with him for the second time. Other commitments at the arena didn't get us inside in time to see him perform which is unfortunate because we heard lots of positive comments.

Michael Ray hit the stage next and lit it up with energy and his hits "Kiss You in the Morning," "Real Men Love Jesus," and his brand new single "Think a Little Less." Michael celebrated his birthday on the stage in Cedar Rapids and Brain and I presented him with a birthday card, signed by KHAK listeners, prior to the show.

Next up was Canaan Smith, who definitely made a lot of new fans in Cedar Rapids. He exuded energy as well and told the crowd each night he breaks a drum and raffles off the pieces with 100% of the money going to St. Jude's Children's Hospital. That's how he ended his set as he obliterated that poor drum. We're sure he made a lot of money for those kids tonight and every stop on the tour, which concludes this weekend.

Last to the stage, of course, was Brantley Gilbert and he had the capacity crowd in the palm of his hands all night. He sang songs he's written (including "Dirt Road Anthem" and "My Kinda Party," both Jason Aldean hits), covered all of his own material to the delight of the crowd and even took the time to salute everyone from Hank Williams, Jr. to Guns N' Roses. He finished the show with a moment that caused the crowd to roar, maybe louder than they had all night. He called a Marion boy to the stage and the little guy was feeling the music and the crowd. Just watch:

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