Unplugged In The Park (July 17, 2011)

99X's Unplugged In The Park hasn't disappointed yet in introducing promising artists. New Yorker Rachel Platten and one man band counterpart Craig, a second time guest for Unplugged this year, primed the audience with her strong vocals and rap skills. In the same category as Sara Bareilles, Platten can play a damn good piano while charming the room with her good looks and personable performance. Her latest and catchy "1,000 Ships" speaks of hopeful re-newed love, but don't be fooled by her innocent face. Platten coerced the audience to help her sing lyrics about "going all the way" on a date. She even likes to give back to the community, a featured artist at the White House's Girl Up event, Platten's candied voice helped promote American girls to get involved in helping other women in third-world countries.

Boasting notoriety with soccer moms who like good deals with their songs circling TJ Maxx and Lowes stores, Ingram Hill serenaded the crowd with "love beats all" songs. Forgoing a traditional drum set, the trio added a fourth man to keep beats on a box-like instrument. You can tell lead singer and guitarist, Justin Moore enjoys what he does and believes in his music. Hailed from Memphis, Tennessee Ingram Hill went to the grind to produce solid lyrics after leaving Hollywood Records and create album "Look Your Best." I feel like Ingram Hill could have really found their way in the early 2000s with artists like Lifehouse and Gavin DeGraw, but perhaps they have the potential to bring back the sensitive rocker genre and turn into more than a cult following. Ingram Hill's popular "Hey Girl" once again won over female admirers, tapping into those teenage insecurities of unsureness while an attractive singer tells you how beautiful you are. "Why Don't You" followed and continued to spread warm fuzzies through the crowd of a pining boy in love. Bass player Zach Kirk recently joined the band, but Moore and guitarist/song writer Phil Bogard grew up together, and their bond creates an easy chemistry of sounds that can only really be fully appreciated live. Light a candle and play "On My Way" while throwing away those old pictures of your asshole of an ex, though I personally prefer the more relateable "Burn Out Your Flame."