Jake Owen Brings Joy to Corey Fest in Boston
Saturday night I found myself at the Boston House of Blues for a charity concert for the Corey C. Griffin Foundation. The headliner would be Jake Owen. The Corey C. Griffin Foundation was established in honor of Corey Griffin, a young philanthropist from Boston, Massachusetts, who dedicated much of his life to charitable causes, particularly those benefiting children and healthcare initiatives. Tragically, Corey passed away in a diving accident on August 16, 2014, at just 27 years old. His untimely death inspired his family, friends, and supporters to carry forward his legacy of giving back. The foundation’s mission centers on providing support to youth through education, healthcare, and mentoring initiatives, areas Corey was deeply committed to during his lifetime.
Since its inception, the Corey C. Griffin Foundation has raised millions of dollars and has positively impacted the lives of countless children and families. Each year, it hosts events and fundraisers in Corey's honor, with an outpouring of support from Boston's philanthropic community. The foundation's initiatives have expanded over the years, continuously evolving to address the changing needs of children and families.
The Corey C. Griffin Foundation Concert known as CoreyFest is an annual fundraising event that brings together music, philanthropy, and community in memory of Corey. This concert in it’s 10th year, which has become one of the foundation's flagship events, aims to generate funds to support the foundation’s various programs in education, healthcare, and mentorship for youth in need. This year the foundation had Jake Owen as the headliner.
Jake Owen is known for his energetic live performances and genuine connection with fans, Jake Owen has earned several award nominations, including American Country Awards and ACM awards, and he remains a prominent figure in contemporary country music. After the success of Barefoot Blue Jean Night in 2011 (my favorite album), Jake Owen's career reached new heights as he became known for blending a beachy, easygoing style with the storytelling roots of country music. His follow-up albums, Days of Gold(2013) and American Love (2016), further established his unique style, with singles like Beachin', Anywhere with You, and Alone with You topping the charts and resonating with audiences. Beachin' became a summer anthem and one of his biggest hits, earning Owen a loyal fan base that connected with his laid-back, feel-good approach to music.
This would be my second time seeing Jake Owen. I knew what we would be in for. His high energy show was perfect for this charity concert. Jake knows how to have a good time at his show. Seeing a cooler on stage set the tone of the night that you were at a party and not just another concert. Throughout the show Jake would toss ice cold beers out to the crowd. I love when artists connect with the audience. He also took the time to sign some stuff in the audience during down times in songs. He even brings his own sharpie. for his easygoing, down-to-earth nature, Jake brings a sense of fun and authenticity to his performances that makes the audience feel like they’re part of a giant beach party, regardless of the venue. This is a very small venue for Jake. We last saw him a Leader Bank Pavilion which boosts a seating capacity of around 5,000. Seeing him at a venue around 2,000 creates more intimacy and connection.
His casual demeanor makes every performance feel intimate, as though he’s playing for a group of friends rather than a large crowd. Jake’s voice is rich and powerful, perfectly suited for both upbeat anthems and his heartfelt ballads. Jake Owen set a fun and inviting tone, with fan favorites like Down to the Honkytonk and Beachin', immediately pulling the audience into his signature laid-back style. It didn’t take long for most of the crowd to get lost in the music, singing along to every word. Being a charity event you had people unfamiliar with Jake Owen’s music. When the show first kicked off there was a lot of chatter and conversations going on. This didn’t last long as the crowd got pulled in with Jake’s uplifting spirit. Everyone was dancing. I was nervous at first but because of the performer that Jake is he did his job and won everyone over. At one point, he even took a few requests from fans, showing his spontaneous and fan-centered approach. Each song was delivered flawlessly as if you were listening to the album. I love this about Jake’s performances. The man cannot disappoint with his live shows and joyful personality. I had the pleasure of meeting him a couple years ago and he is who he portrays himself to be. I can’t say enough good things about Jake Owen. He is genuine, fun, and a hell of a performer. For country fans and anyone looking for a lively, memorable night out, Jake Owen’s concerts deliver exactly what you’d hope for: great music, an incredible atmosphere, and a true connection with the artist. When he comes near you…BUY. THE. TICKET.