One of the Last Outlaws, Travis Tritt, Stirs the Soul at the Meadows

by Dave Parsons

On a warm summer’s evening, thousands of Western Pennsylvania fans wrapped themselves in flannel, denim, and nostalgia at the Hollywood Casino at The Meadows in Washington, Pennsylvania, for the 2025 Summer Country Bash.  After a warm dose of acoustic country, a storm of outlaw country fire and holy-roller soul took the stage, led by none other than Travis Tritt, one of the final outlaws still standing from country’s golden era.

Tritt’s tour stop at the outdoor racetrack stage wasn’t just a concert, but more of a reminder that real country never left, and ’90s country never goes out of style. Tritt and his band put on a masterclass, using 35 years of hits as the foundation.  But before the legend took the stage, two openers gave the night roots and promise.

The night began not with flash but with familiarity. Ruff Creek, Pittsburgh’s own country-rock veterans, delivered their first set of the evening (they were playing another one after the show inside the racetrack/casino bar area), containing a stripped-down acoustic configuration of classic covers and a few originals.  They were the perfect reminder that country music lives and breathes far from Nashville, as they have been doing it with various lineups for decades in Western Pennsylvania.

Next up was a pretty young lady named Willow Avalon.  Dressed in well-pressed jeans, a tiger print top, and a cream-colored cowboy hat and boots, she displayed the quiet kind of confidence that comes from years of playing.  Willow played eight songs that charted a winding path through relationships that would otherwise be more painful to discuss.  Performing her original songs, with just her, a guitar, and a stool, she kept the audience entertained with stories behind titles like Something We Regret, Honey Ain’t No Sweeter, and Georgia Mile.  Each song kind of felt like it was taken from diaries kept under lock and key, while her cover of Look at Miss Ohio echoed with the ache of modern womanhood while wearing yesterday’s mascara.

And then there was Yodeelayhewho, which is a playful, mountain-folk moment of vocal agility that caught the crowd off guard and won them over instantly. It’s rare to see a yodel amp up an audience’s energy, but that’s exactly what happened.  Willow Avalon doesn’t chase radio trends, but just writes music from her own life. If she keeps writing songs like Tequila or Whiskey, she might become the kind of act that other artists cover a decade from now.

After a brief intermission following Avalon’s performance, the lights dimmed again. There were no fancy screens or introductions, just musicians laying into the opening notes of Put Some Drive in Your Country, and out walked one Georgia outlaw, in the kind of entrance that doesn’t need to be choreographed, because it’s already legendary.  Looking every inch the country legend he’s become since signing to Warner Bros. Records in 1989, Travis Tritt was dressed in a black and white patterned shirt, blue jeans, and that distinctive beard now more silver than black.

The song felt like a statement of purpose that the audience was in for a night of memories and favorite songs.  Never mind that some in the audience weren’t alive when these first few career-making hits were on the radio!  Gonna Be Somebody followed, and it was obvious that no matter their age, this crowd had Tritt’s CDs on their playlists. His band, anchored by longtime players who clearly know these arrangements inside and out, provided the perfect foundation, so that Tritt could lead the crowd through every word.

The crowd caught its breath while Tritt issued his welcome, and all came back in together after the first line of  Whiskey Ain’t Working was brought forth. With all of the millions of units sold over his career, it’s easy to see how these songs have become part of the DNA of country music. Even when he did a deep album cut, Where Corn Don’t Grow, the choir never stopped. This wasn’t pandering to the casual fans either. This was an artist trusting his audience to follow him down the path for the next 90+ minutes.

Smoke in a Bar was a bit of a surprise, as was an upbeat version of Uncloudy Day. Tritt’s interpretation of this traditional gospel song was both reverent and personal.  While he was on those last two attributes, he discussed getting involved with US Veteran organizations.  This association brought about the connection in the video for Anymore.  The storyline was continued in 2 other songs to come, and made for a music video trilogy that is a mini movie when watched back-to-back.

Outlaws Like Us served as a bridge to the outlaw tradition, while a medley of Drift Off to Dream and Help Me Hold On showcased Tritt’s versatility and still powerful voice. Country Club brought the tempo and sing-along back up and was the perfect setup for Here’s a Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares).

It’s a Great Day to Be Alive served as an uplifting moment, while Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde and 10 Feet Tall and Bulletproof showcased Tritt’s storytelling ability.  After paying homage to his roots and heroes, and an instrumental showcase while introducing his band individually, the band hit all channels into the finale T-R-O-U-B-L-E. 

As the crowd headed for their cars, it was clear this was something special. Travis Tritt demonstrated that experience and authenticity still matter in an age of manufactured pop-country.  At 62, he’s not trying to be something he’s not. He’s doubling down on what he does best, and the results speak for themselves.

The nods to heroes and mentors like Hank Williams, Jr., and Waylon Jennings tie Tritt to being one of the dying breed that were known as outlaws and made music that dared to break the mold, a cornerstone of country music.  Other than Willie Nelson, Tritt is one of the last of that breed that still tours constantly, and does it with a maturity that today’s artists would do well to pay homage to by copying.

In an era when so much popular music feels hyped and influenced into submission, evenings like this remind us why country artists have careers spanning 4 decades and still present country music at its finest.  It takes a guitar, a band, and a crowd hungry for something real.

And on August 23, 2025, that’s exactly what Travis Tritt delivered.

Willow Avalon Setlist:

1. Something We Regret
2. Work To Do
3. Honey Ain’t No Sweeter
4. Look At Miss Ohio
5. Tequila or Whiskey
6. Baby Blue
7. Yodeelayhewho
8. Georgia Mile

Travis Tritt Setlist:

1. Put Some Drive in Your Country
2. Gonna Be Somebody
3. Whiskey Ain’t Working
4. Where Corn Don’t Grow
5. Smoke in a Bar
6. Uncloudy Day
7. Anymore
8. Outlaws Like Us
9. Drift Off to Dream/Help Me Hold On
10. Country Club
11. Here’s a Quarter
12. Great Day to Be Alive
13. Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde
14. 10 Feet Tall and Bulletproof
15. Whiskey Bent
16. Ain’t Living Long Like This
17. Jam
18. Trouble

Ruff Creek Photos August 23, 2025

Willow Avalon Photos August 23, 2025

Travis Tritt Photos August 23, 2025