When the sun begins to dip behind the rolling vineyards of Paso Robles, there’s a certain kind of magic that takes over Vina Robles Amphitheatre. The “Drinking Class” fans knew Monday morning may drag but that didn’t stop them from enjoying the party Lee Brice brought Sunday night. Out on his “What You Know About That” tour Lee Brice for this particular night there was no opening performance. As a supporting act local country station 98.1KJUG DJ Pepper Daniels warmed up the crowd with some of today’s hits along with some older classics to get folks dancing around.
When 9 o’clock rolls around it’s time for Lee and the band to hit the stage. Vina Robles Amphitheatre is a large open stage Lee Brice kept it simple with a few light towers around the drums on a small platform and around the keyboards also on a small platform. With his signature look wearing a ballcap Lee Brice stands center stage with a large screen behind displaying a live feed of the action going on stage and cuts also of the crowd. First three songs of the night are a 2012 hit “Hard 2 Love” into a newer song “More Beer” and then the party song “Parking Lot Parking.”
There is a lot of interaction with Lee and the fans up front along the barricade getting them to amp up for the night. Rolling into the song “Memory I Don’t Mess With,” “Boy,” “Cry,” and then song that set his career off “Love Like Crazy.” Lee Brice then asked the crowd to help sing along in place of Carly Pearce as he performs their duet “I Hope You’re Happy Now.” Next is his latest release “Said No Country Boy Ever.” Things mellow down as the band members exit the stage, leaving Lee Brice to take a set at a piano to perform a beautiful stripped-down version of “I Don’t Dance” — which was so great to hear and see that done live.
Still alone, Lee then grabs an acoustic guitar to surprise many by covering Johnny Paycheck’s song “The Old Violin.” It is wonderful to see an artist today pay respect to the outlaw Paycheck and deliver the song in such a way that the emotion can be felt. The band joins back to the stage and the party continues with “More Than a Memory.” Throughout the “Drinking Class” song Lee encourages the crowd to raise their drinks and enjoy the night. Things get a little emotional again with the hit “I Drive Your Truck.” The energy turns back up for the with the upbeat tunes of “Soul”, “Rumor”, and “One of Them Girls.”
For the encore, Lee Brice covers “Simple Man” leaving fans may be heading out to the parking lot for a little more parting before the work morning. There is still many shows left on the calendar for Lee Brice, so you’ve got time to catch an artist who has 20 years’ worth of hits to fill the night with. I will say Lee and the band sound great live just no slips or mess up found with this gang.
GALLERY: Lee Brice at Vina Robles Amphitheatre in Paso Robles, California (August 3, 2025)
