Miranda Lambert rides into Denver

Country star brings her revolution to Grizzly Rose

December 9, 2009

Gun-toting country star Miranda Lambert was loaded for bear as she took the Grizzly Rose stage Wednesday night, rocking a packed house with a set equally heavy on Nashville twang and rock bombast.

Lambert's ace band, with included a bluesy keyboardist, a mohawked guitarist and her patented rifle-shaped microphone stand, came out hard and fast with a speedier version of "Kerosene" before segueing into more countrified hits such as "Dead Flowers" and "The House That Built Me." The crowd, likewise, blurred the line between country and alternative rock, with fans sporting everything from black Stetsons to skull-and-crossbones belt buckles. Between sets, the house music included Johnny Cash as well as Elvis Costello.

Still, Lambert made it clear which musical traditions she likes best. 

"It's a cold night out there," she remarked before launching into "Dry Town." "In here, we've got country music and cold beer. Mmm, sounds good to me."