Zac Brown Band: Catchy, yes; country, not so much

Though not as formidable in number or in impact as the hat acts of the'80s and'90s (Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Clint Black, et al.), combos producing a twang-light version of country pop are casting an increasingly large presence on the Billboard country charts and mainstream radio airwaves.

Along with groups like Reckless Kelly, Eli Young Band and The Lost Trailers, the Zac Brown Band has recently made the jump from local heroes to contenders for the title of Nashville's newest greatest thing.

Led by Georgia native Brown, the group's rise is being fueled in large part by the popularity of the toe-tapping ditty "Chicken Fried." The prospect of hearing that hit and other samples of the band's pseudo-country catalog attracted a crowd that filled virtually every square foot on Brown's Island last night for Friday Cheers.

Brown, flanked by his four band mates, opened with the sweetly melodic, meaning of life tune "Let It Go." He then dedicated his tender new single, "Whatever It Is," to "my Virginia ladies" in the audience.

From there, the set list seemed to be a series of imitations of Brown's musical heroes.

The rumbling heard'round the world about 8 last night was Bob Marley tuning over in his grave after the band injected a few bars of "One Love" into one of its faux reggae tunes. The rockin' and talkin' of "It's Not OK" owes a debt of gratitude to Commander Cody's "Hot Rod Lincoln." And the popular "Toes" sounds a whole lot like a not-completely-successful attempt to add some Jimmy Buffett Caribbean vibe into the band's mix.

The band was most compelling when it drove right in the middle of the mainstream country music highway. Best examples were the touching balladry of "Highway 20 Ride" and soft country rock of "Free" and "Jolene."

The evening's highlights also included a pair of covers, The Band's "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" and the Charlie Daniels Band's "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," enhanced by Jimmy De Martini's fiddle work.

Brown has obviously found his way into the hearts and ears of country music fans. But last night's song list brings to mind the words of the late, great Waylon Jennings: "I don't think Hank done it this way."

One very good reason for showing up before sunset last night was a chance to catch the opening act: Richmond's own David Shultz and The Skyline.

Shultz's alternative approach to country is better-suited to stages more intimate than the keg party for the masses that is Friday Cheers. But its 45-minute set branded the band as one deserving of a second, if not third and fourth, listen.