TERRI CLARK BRINGS HONKY-TONK HEAVEN TO HISTORIC CAPITOL THEATRE

by Dave Parsons

The ageless Capitol Theatre in Wheeling, West Virginia, has seen its share of country music in its history.  As home to the Wheeling Jamboree in its heyday, it still knows a thing or two about hosting country music shows.  Thursday, May 1, 2025, Terri Clark stormed the stage with all the subtlety of a Tennessee tornado. The Canadian cowgirl-turned-country icon proved that 90s country isn’t just having a moment—it’s having a full-blown renaissance.

Clark strode onstage in her signature black Stetson and acoustic guitar slung across her jacket, starting the evening a cappella with A Little Gasoline.  As the band came in full throttle by the chorus, the audience knew they were in for a class in no-frills authentic country. This wasn’t some pop-country infusion with backing tracks and dancers—this was the real deal, served straight up with no chaser.

Clark hit deep in her catalog with the precision of someone who’s spent nearly three decades perfecting her craft.Emotional Girl, I Just Wanna Be Mad, and When Boy Meets Girl, came fast and furious with the audience along for every word and note.

What stands out about Clark in 2025 is how little she’s changed. While many of her 90’s contemporaries faded into obscurity or changed for the sake of change, Clark has the traditional sound that earned her six number-one singles. If I Were You showed off her ability to deliver great ballads with the same conviction as her upbeat anthems.

Heading for the finish line after an hour on stage, Clark built the excitement with a succession of I Wanna Do It All, Girls Lie Too, and Better Things To Do.  Coming back for encores, Clark left the hat on the amp as she led her tight band through a rock medley of Huey Lewis, Led Zeppelin, Bruce Springsteen, and Kenny Loggins before closing out with her hit cover of Poor, Poor Pitiful Me, much to the delight of the Wheeling crowd.

The audience—a mix of gray-haired devotees who’d likely been following her since ’95 and younger fans discovering her for the first time—had been thoroughly reminded why Clark remains one of country music’s most underrated treasures.  No overblown stage show, but a reminder that three chords and the truth still conquer all.

Wheeling native Carly Greer turned in an impressive opening set.  Having had success with Bluegrass group Crandall Creek, as well as with her solo career, her set leaned heavily on covers, with a few of her original songs making the setlist.  Going between several genres, Greer gave it all she had, keeping an audience entertained for an hour, which is no small feat.

I also want to mention the Capitol Theatre itself.  The historic venue continues to make renovations to have a renaissance of its own, aiming to host more, and larger travelling acts.  Be sure to check their website for upcoming shows at this beautiful facility.

Carly Greer Setlist.

Take Me Down

My Church

Flowers/I Will Survive

You Belong With Me

The Hooch

Neon Moon

Jackson

Heads Carolina

Do You Believe In Love

Tallulah

You Oughta Know

Rhinestone Cowgirl

Me and Bobby McGee

Terri Clark Setlist:

A Little Gasoline

Emotional Girl

I Just Wanna Be Mad

No Fear

When Boy Meets Girl

If I Were You

Three Mississippi

Everytime I Cry

You Get What You Give

Now That I Found You

The Highway

Gypsy Boots

You’re Easy On The Eyes

I Wanna Do It All

Girls Lie Too

Better Things To Do

Encore:

Medley:  The Heart of Rock & Roll/Rock and Roll/Born to Run/Footloose

Poor Poor Pitiful Me