The Black Crowes Bring Out Lainey Wilson At Grand Ole Opry

The Black Crowes kicked off the Happiness Bastards Tour last night at the famed Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. The band led by brothers Chris Robinson and Rich Robinson was joined by country star Lainey Wilson for a pair of tunes towards the middle of the concert.

Tuesday’s show followed a handful of warmup shows across the country. The Black Crowes delivered a 17-song performance at the legendary venue including six off the recently released Happiness Bastards, their first studio album of new material in 15 years.

The Crowes opened the show and tour the same way Happiness Bastards begins by pairing “Bedside Manners” and “Rats And Clowns.” Chris Robinson nodded to the fresh material in telling the crowd, “It’s been a while since we’ve had some new songs to play for you all.” The band then looked to their first two albums with “Twice As Hard” off 1990’s Shake Your Money Maker and “My Morning Song” from 1992’s The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion.

After the two oldies, it was right back to the new album for “Cross Your Fingers” and “Wanting And Waiting,” the former a live debut. The Black Crowes followed with their cover of Otis Redding’s “Hard To Handle” and the somewhat rare “Kickin’ My Heart Around” from 1999’s By Your Side.

“We are thrilled and we are honored tonight to invite someone up to sing with me,” Chris Robinson said in introducing Lainey Wilson. “I guess if you’re going to play the Grand Ole Opry, you have to have a bonafide country superstar.” Wilson dueted with Chris Robinson on “Wilted Rose” in reprising her appearance on Happiness Bastards. The Louisiana native also contributed to the ensuing “She Talks To Angels.”

The Black Crowes followed Wilson’s appearance by looking to 2009’s Before the Frost… Until the Freeze for “I Ain’t Hiding.” Next up was “Flesh Wound,” the evening’s second live debut and final Happiness Bastards selection. Chris Robinson, Rich Robinson and their bandmates reeled off classics “Sting Me,” “Thorn In My Pride,” “Jealous Again” and “Remedy” to end the set. The band punctuated the night with a cover of The Velvet Underground’s “White Light/White Heat” as the encore.

Watch more fan-shot video from last night’s Black Crowes show below:

The Black Crowes head to Atlanta, the city where the band was started, tonight for a concert at the Fox Theatre. The North American leg of the Happiness Bastards Tour continues through May 7.