Of the six electric guitars that Brad Paisley played at the Bryce Jordan Center on Friday night, four were the exact same model -- the Fender Telecaster.
Glittering and emblazoned with decorative designs, the guitars stood in stark contrast to the simple blue T-shirt and white cowboy hat worn by the man playing them.
When the American Saturday Night Tour brought Paisley and fellow country acts Dierks Bentley and Jimmy Wayne, country fans of all forms came together for an evening of music.
Though the concert took place in the massive Bryce Jordan Center and was a nearly full venue, Paisley did his best to make the evening as intimate as possible. The audience ranged from infants to the elderly, and fans wore everything from cowboy hats to baseball caps.
The set began with Paisley playing an acoustic guitar rendition of "Start a Band" on a part of the stage that extended out into the middle of the arena. After the first chorus, the entire band came in with a sudden bang of music and the dark stage lit up, revealing Paisley's six-member backing band.
Three similar stage arms allowed the performers to get closer to the audience throughout the evening.
Toward the end of the show, openers Dierks Bentley and Jimmy Wayne returned to sing along with Paisley, as well as just hang out and interact with audience members along the stage arms.
"I liked how they interacted with the crowd -- they were really close to the audience," said Ashleigh Leeper (sophomore-elementary education). "I liked them both, but Jimmy especially. He talked to us and shook our hands. They were really nice."
At one point in the night, Paisley got comfortable with his spectators and showed a few embarrassing childhood photographs on the large screen that provided a backdrop to the stage.
"I was 17, never been kissed, scared out of my mind," Paisley said to the audience. "People would tell me, 'Son, these are the best years of your life,' and I thought, 'Just shoot me now.' I am living proof high school is not the best years of your life. College, on the other hand..."
Laughter and cheers ensued as the band ripped through "Letter to Me."
Paisley utilized the large screen throughout the show, showing entertaining images or bandmates and audience members.
A cartoon animated by Paisley himself was shown while the band performed an instrumental number full of guitar solos and steel guitar licks. The movie featured Paisley in a black cape saving fellow country stars from dinosaurs and robots.
The show came to a close with "Alcohol," performed in front of pictures of local establishments like The Phyrst, The Rathskeller and Tony's Big Easy.
"I thought it was fitting that he ended with 'Alcohol' at Penn State," said Mark Klucharich of West Chester. "I thought he was going to play a lot of stuff from his newer album, but he played a lot of older stuff, too. I liked that."
Dierks Bentley, who took the stage before Paisley, played a shorter set but got an equally warm reception. Bentley also gave a shoutout to those serving in the armed forces while pointing to a flag hanging from the ceiling.
"Look at the gigantic American flag," Bentley said. "That's the perfect backdrop for a country concert."
The dog tag-sporting singer then dedicated a song to all those who "have, are or will serve," just like his father and grandfather.
The majority of the crowd enjoyed the performance so much so that even two of the BJC's ushers began to do-si-do.
"It was a great concert," said Brandie Baney of Carlisle. "Dierks was very energetic and all over the place. I sang along the whole time."
