Natalie Stovall Fiddles Into Norcross

Norcross residents and other patrons almost didn't get their dose of live country music Friday evening because of the weather. 

The rain, wind and lightning were ferocious right before Natalie Stovall's performance, but hundreds, including Mayor Bucky Johnson, stuck through it with umbrellas, ponchos and blankets in Thrasher Park, all just to see the country singer perform. Some concert goers even decided to warm up for her set by dancing in the rain to the DJ's music, while kids were having fun on the playground. 

"This is one of the most epic crowds I've ever seen," said Stovall after sound check with her four band members. "We'll never forget this night."

Stovall, a fiddler player and vocalist in her early 20s, has quite the resume for her age: She's performed on shows such as "Oprah," had her song "If I Run to You Now" featured in National Lampoon's "Bag Boy" and was the very first performer to sing "God Bless America" at the White House Press Correspondents' Association Dinner for President George W. Bush. She hasn't been signed to a major label, but considering what she's done so far, this Nashville, Tenn. native seems to be doing just fine. 

Stovall and the band finally started playing an hour late at 8:30 p.m., an hour after the original time, and luckily the weather seemed to have calmed then, despite a few sprinkles and strong breezes of wind. Performing her own hits to covers such as Kings of Leon's "Use Somebody," she kept the audience captivated and appreciative that they stuck around.

Stovall plays the fiddle like nobody's business, and her vocals are sweet-sounding but strong at the same time. She belted it out in "Not in Love Song" and "You Know Nothing" as if she wanted the whole town to hear. 

She also told stories in between her songs, too. She explained that her fiddling skills came from her 100-year-old grandmother pushing her to take violin lessons at the age of 4, which transitioned into the song "Angel," which is dedicated to her.

She also laughed at the beginning of her set about her mom and dad driving from Nashville to see her show, but they had gotten a flat tire on the way and isn't familiar with the city, so she told the audience to watch out if they see a lost couple. About six or so songs in, though, Stovall exclaimed, "Mom and Dad made it, ya'll!" 

She was a good sport when the train came a handful of times, too, and just sang through it. She even played it cool when her audio for her mic and fiddle temporarily went out, by showcasing the guitarist, who played a solo. 

"This has not been the easiest of gigs," Stovall said with a smile when her mic came back on.  

The hundreds that stuck through the harsh weather and damp grounds seemed to have felt Natalie Stovall's performance was worth the wait, otherwise they would have left. Everyone would probably agree: Natalie Stovall's fiddle-playing and country-singing songs were a happy ending to a downpour.