Sean Patrick McGraw Entertains Fans at Gin Mill

By Shannon Barie

On November 26 country singer/songwriter Sean Patrick McGraw took the stage at the Gin Mill, located in Ellicottville, pulling in a great crowd that left patrons with standing room only by the time he hit the stage at 9 p.m.

McGraw, a Dunkirk native, played the best live entertainment I’ve personally heard in a long time. My concert guests, who weren’t big country fans, even walked away claiming McGraw’s performance was really entertaining and definitely memorable.

McGraw’s performance included some of his own music like his new single, “My So Called Life” which is circulating on CMT, along with everyone’s favorite classic rock and country hits.

Classic hits from Tim McGraw, Tom Petty, Neil Diamond, Johnny Cash and a long list of legendary artists were all played, but McGraw put his own twist on each song which made the show even more enjoyable. He even went so far as to change the lyrics on several songs to reference the Buffalo region.

The crowd went wild every time McGraw mentioned Buffalo living, and before his first intermission he had the bar shaking from all the dancing fans. Every person at the Gin Mill was singing along with McGraw at some point that evening.

McGraw played a variation of songs; from heartfelt love songs, to ballads about boozing and bad behaviors. The entire concert McGraw played music about love, life, pain and pleasure, drinking, drugs and every other subject that sparks emotion from people.

McGraw was able to get the crowd cheering and laughing, but he could also slow the mood for more romantic moments that even had patrons slow-dancing with each other.

At one point, when McGraw covered Van Morrison’s “Into the Mystic” every female in the Gin Mill’s attention was locked on him. The way he sang the lyrics, “I want to rock your gypsy soul, just like in the days of old” sent chills down my spine. I even overheard one patron claim, “That song was just so beautiful, it was breathtaking.”

His choice of songs was so impeccable I spent the night asking myself, “How did he know that’s my favorite song” over and over.

When I finally asked McGraw what made him pick the songs he informed me, “I don’t play a set list. I just play the music I love, those are my favorites.”

I recommend to anyone who loves classic rock, country-new and old to listen to McGraw as soon as they can. He is a must-see entertainer. For more information about McGraw check out seanpatrickmcgraw.com