Chesney pays tribute to wounded Folcroft officer at energetic concert

Somber and Kenny Chesney are typically mutually exclusive terms, particularly at the country music superstar's concerts, which are usually non-stop, feel-good events.

But halfway through Chesney's show Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field, the vibe changed from celebratory to solemn when the dynamic entertainer offered a shout-out to Folcroft Police Officer Christopher Dorman, who was shot seven times Friday morning, allegedly by a career drug and weapons offender. Chesney thought that Dorman, who is expected to make a full recovery, had died.

"He passed away, but before he passed away, he made a video that he wanted to come out tonight."

Dorman, critically wounded and hospitalized at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, posted a video intended for Chesney because Dorman had intended to make it to his concert. Just before hitting the stage for his hour-and-50-minute concert, Chesney received word about his heroic fan.

"I didn't know where in the show I was going to do this," Chesney said. "But there's a line in this song ["I Go Back"] that says, 'When I hear "Only the Good Die Young" / It still stops me in my tracks.' And I heard that an officer here in Philadelphia, who was shot seven times last night . . . Christopher Dorman, we won't forget you."

The crowd of 48,322 roared, and Chesney hit an emotional crescendo.

Dorman, however, did not die. Though critically wounded, he was expected to make a full recovery. And Chesney released a statement on Sunday, saying he had misspoken.

Chesney, who has recorded more than 40 top-10 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, was reportedly hoping to make up for his 2015 appearance at the Linc. Apparently Chesney was under the weather then and he hoped to make his eighth show at the home of the Eagles, whom he thanked ad nauseam throughout the event.

It worked. The fans appreciated his tribute to the fallen Folcroft officer, but that was just one aspect of the concert. Chesney scored big points for the plaintive, introspective "Anything But Mine." But there's the other side of the veteran hitmaker.

There are the myriad playful songs in his canon. The ripped, charismatic lover of the laid-back Caribbean lifestyle delivered the songs, which produced stadium-wide sing-alongs. "No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems," "American Kids," and "Pirate Flag" were belted out by Chesney and most of the crowd. It didn't get any better than when Chesney broke into the anthemic "Summertime."

And then there is Chesney's work ethic, which rivals Mick Jagger's during his prime. Chesney, who is in tremendous shape, works it hard. Halfway through his set, his gray "Philly Athletics Division" tank top was soaked in sweat. Chesney covered the massive stage and engaged the audience from the start of the set opener, "Beer in Mexico," all the way to the nightcap "Don't Happen Twice." A blistering cover of AC/DC's "Whole Lotta Rosie," delivered by bassist Harmoni Kelley McCarty, was particularly satisfying since Chesney and his band played the rave-up with unbridled intensity. But most of Chesney's crowd stood there slack-jawed, trying to recognize the track.

Chesney obviously has no problem sharing the spotlight as he let McCarty have her moment. When it comes to openers, most receive 45 minutes, and that's it. But Miranda Lambert performed for an hour and 20 minutes. The stylish singer-songwriter is a rare support act because she commands attention. The sensual Lambert swiveled her hips and was plenty theatrical stalking the stage while rendering such badass tunes as "Kerosene" and "Gunpowder & Lead." Cowboy hats off to Lambert for a searing cover of Mountain's "Mississippi Queen."

Chesney and Lambert gave their fans considerable bang for their buck.