Country Singer Jake Owen Brings Summer Vibes to the Back Waters Stage

The 2025 Summer Concert Series at Q Casino + Resort's Back Waters Stage got off to a bang last night with country singer Jake Owen kicking things off and setting the table for another fun, memorable summer.

The setup of the Back Waters Stage looks a little bit different this year due to several ongoing construction projects at Q Casino + Resort. The Back Waters Stage itself has moved so the back of the stage is towards Q Casino itself, and construction trucks occupy where the setup once existed. However, once you find your spot, set up your chairs, and artists begin taking the stage, that familiar vibe of live music in Dubuque hits you as strong as it ever did.

READ MORE: GRAMMY Award-Winning Country Act Coming to Dubuque's Q Casino

Prior to Jake Owen taking the stage, Uncle Kracker emerged at around 7:30pm to treat us to his arsenal of hits as well as covers. I remember being very little, spending long summer mornings and afternoons in front of the TV watching CMT, and seeing the music video for "When the Sun Goes Down," Kenny Chesney's duet with Uncle Kracker. That was my introduction to him. His raspy voice and casual line delivery felt different.

Uncle Kracker performed that song and several other originals, including the anthemic "Follow Me," and the lovely "Smile," which served as his encore. Of course, Kracker might be most famous for his cover of Dobie Gray's "Drift Away," which sounds fantastic live, sung with a passionate crowd. I've always wondered what motivated Kracker to cover that song, and if he could've foreseen that it would get to a point where some people think it's his song.

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Uncle Kracker also performed a cover of Jim Croce's "Bad Bad Leroy Brown," which, if you know me, you know wins me over every time.

After an hour-set and a roughly 30-minute intermission, Jake Owen emerged at 9pm to roaring applause from everyone from the Turpin Tailgate to GA. Owen immediately launched into familiar favorites like "Eight Second Ride" and "Best Thing Since Backroads." Similar to Billy Currington's show on the Back Waters Stage last summer, it was 90 minutes of singing along.

Owen is at that point in his career where he has such a large arsenal of hits that he can fill a concert with songs you know by heart. Even having not heard it in a minute, I remembered every word to "Down to the Honkytonk." You might not know his song "On the Boat Again" as well, but you'll recognize the melody and sample-work from Willie Nelson's "On the Road Again."

Sidenote: not that I expected it, but I do wish Jake Owen would perform his song "Nothing," which (delightfully) samples the Andy Griffith Show theme song. Even though the song is a deep cut on his most recent album, it would still be a lively inclusion, with an instantly recognizable sample (for many, at least).

READ MORE: Billy Currington Weathers Storm at Q Casino + Resort's Back Waters Stage

There was something very pretty and inspiring going on with the stage business at the show too. The TV screens showed the floor of the stage had several large sections of carpet, and large, beach-style lights were hung. Also noticeable were large, Tiki huts as the backdrop, giving off strong Jimmy Buffett vibes to complement Owen's music. The presentation was lovely.

Owen's encore consisted of the perfect pairing of a ballad ("Made for You") and the song for which everyone was waiting ("Barefoot Blue Jean Night"). The latter came out during a time when Florida Georgia Line and other bro country acts were rapidly coming onto the scene, but Owen's biggest hit still has the hallmarks of traditional country stylings coupled with those infectious, arena-esque chants during the chorus.

A tip of the cap to the Q Casino + Resort staff, as well as everyone who works so diligently to make sure these Back Waters Stage shows are as great as they always are. For information on future concerts this summer, visit the Back Waters Stage's website.