Country stars bringing Roots & Boots Tour to Riverside Casino

Sometimes three is better than one.

That's the case for the Roots & Boots Tour, kickin’ around the country.

Sammy Kershaw, Aaron Tippin and Collin Raye are on the road together again, swinging through Nov. 11, 2022, in the Riverside Casino Event Center.

“It’s more fun than you can imagine,” Kershaw said.

The trio of country singers will deliver songs and anecdotes. Kershaw, Tippin and Raye have combined for almost 70 Top 40 country singles.

Tippin will render “You've Got to Stand for Something,” “There Ain’t Nothin’ ” and “Wrong with the Radio.” Raye will please fans by offering “My Kind of Girl,” “I Can Still Feel You” and “That’s My Story.”

Kershaw is best known for "Queen of My Double Wide Trailer,“ ”She Don’t Know She’s Beautiful“ and ”Third Rate Romance.“

"Fans get their money's worth when they come out to our show," Kershaw said while calling from Nashville. "It's a lot of hits, a lot of stories and a lot of fun."

It’s a big bang for your buck concert, since each recording artist brings plenty to the table. Tippin, 64, hit during the early 1990s with his combination of provocative honky tonk, poignant ballads and patriotic anthems. The latter is all over his debut album, 1991’s “You've Got to Stand for Something” and 1998’s “What This Country Needs.”

And then there’s 2002’s “Stars & Stripes,” which was a response to the 9/11 attacks. “Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagles Fly” hit the charts and became a flag-waving anthem. Tippin has the gift of crafting moving songs without being cheesy.

His longtime friend, Kershaw is an admirer.

“There's no one like Aaron,” Kershaw said. “He’s so talented and he has such a big heart. I always enjoy going out on the road with him. And nobody sings like Aaron.”

The charismatic Tippin, who has a deep Southern twang, possesses a sturdy baritone.

Raye, 62, who also made his solo debut in 1991 with his album, “All I Can Be,” engages the crowd and has a deep well of tunes to draw from each night. Raye has made his mark with moving country ballads like “Love, Me,” which often is played at funerals, and “In This Life,” a popular wedding choice.

The adept storyteller also is versatile. Raye has no problem veering from ballads, Western swing and rockabilly to country rock and even to contemporary Christian.

“Collin can do anything,” Kershaw said. “He has so much talent.”

Kershaw also debuted in 1991. His initial effort, “Don’t Go Near the Water,” launched the cousin of Cajun fiddler Doug Kershaw, courtesy of the breakout hit “Cadillac Style.”

Kershaw, 64, became a star due to his second album, “Haunted Heart,” which also dropped in 1991. Kershaw doesn’t write his own songs, but he’s a tremendous interpreter and there’s just something about his deep Southern Louisiana accent that makes his songs so distinctive.

A reason each man is so successful, particularly Kershaw, is because of their work ethic. Each one was in the studio crafting albums, followed by tours year after year for a generation.

“Because of my schedule I was never home,” Kershaw said. “The toughest thing for me looking back is that I missed my children growing up, because I was gone so much. People look at how great it is when you become successful as a singer, but you have to sacrifice so much to get here. That’s just the way it is for many entertainers.

“But I’m doing fine. I love what I do,” he said. “I can’t imagine any other life. And right now things are good. I have no complaints, since I get to do what I want to do and the fans show up — and for that I’m so grateful.”