Chase Bryant Headlines Day 1 of Kalamazoo Ribfest

Texan Chase Bryant says Kalamazoo feels like home.

On a night off from Tim McGraw's 'Shotgun Rider Tour,' Chase Bryant took the stage to headline day 1 of Kalamazoo Ribfest.

"I've got family here in Michigan, so this feels like home," he told the crowd. Chase also name-checked Michigan native Frankie Ballard, saying those two are always in competition for the best hair in Country music.

Chase Bryant and band took the stage at 9 p.m. and delivered an electric 90 minute set peppered with amazing guitar licks and highlighted by Chase wading into the Ribfest crowd to introduce the band from the audience's point of view.

We took some Kalamazoo Country Facebook and Twitter (@KZooCountry) fans backstage before the show (hint: follow us) and Chase was enthusiastic and accommodating, even when I asked to touch his hair.

We spent a few minutes talking about his guitar collection. Chase couldn't tell me exactly how many he has (probably 50-60) and bought another while he was in Kalamazoo. "I looked at a Kalamazoo [guitar] but didn't buy that one. I found one just like the very first guitar I ever had when I was, like, two years old. It was on the wall at an antique shop and I had to have it."

Back on the road in his big white tour bus, Chase Bryant is once again travelling with Tim McGraw. Don't miss this exciting, young rising star if he ever comes back to Kalamazoo.

Enjoy our photos from Kalamazoo Ribfest day 1 and come on back for Blue Oyster Cult Friday night and Craig Morgan on Saturday. Thanks for enjoying Country music in downtown Kalamazoo with Kalamazoo's Country 102.5.