Some twenty years in the making, and finally it happened. With an explosion of country music hitting mainstream airwaves championed by the Mavericks, Shania Twain, Mindy McReady and Faith Hill it was inevitable that the largest selling female country artist would want a piece of the pie. And deservedly so!

With a sell out concert at Glasgow necessitating a second date and with all other venues selling out thick and fast, the Reba tour hit Manchester. And boy, did it leave its mark!

The real surprise was that Adam Cauldwell would be opening for Reba. A fan of Adam for some years, this was fantastic news. As a regular attendee of Adam's home-town club, The Manhattan Club in Harrogate, it was great to chat to Adam's mother and hear how the amazing news was relayed to the family on New Year's Day. What a start to the new year! Things can only get better for Adam - with rave reviews from Garth, a spot on the Grand Ole Oprey, a tour with Crystal Gayle and now Reba, this authentic British country star is guaranteed success.

Adam opened the set with all the confidence and presence of an artist that belies his age. A true professional who warmed the audience up very quickly. Commanding  the stage on his own with  a twenty minute set of mainly his own material, his guitar and the odd backing track we saw some of the potential that all these American stars have seen. The obligatory audience participation was to come from a cracking up-beat number, "Real Fast", written by Adam. And to wrap up his set, a new Irish-tinged song. Delivered with power, precision and full-on emotion. What a great start. And as Adam said, and for which I was personally unprepared for, Reba was going to put on an incredible show…

As the band walked on the audience whooped-it-up big time. And then the opening chords of "Why Haven't I Heard From You" echoed around the theatre and the massive voice of Reba came across the speakers. The crowd went wild! And boy did she Rock. Forget the image of twangy steel guitars and depressing fiddle, Reba's voice is incredible backed by a tight band and rockin' guitar work.

Although there was none of Reba's American huge stage sets, the very personal and intimate feeling was far more preferable. You felt as though this was a back-to-roots tour for Reba. Small venues and just her and the band. No gimmicks - the music and the voice is enough. But ever the consummate professional, at the end of every song Reba was centre-stage ready for the lights to dim and the spotlight to centre on her ready for the applause. And there was plenty of it!

Reba explained that she would take us on a whirlwind tour of the past twenty years. We had "a lot of time to catch up on"! And with that, we were treated to some of the finest musicianship and vocal work I have heard in a very long time (At least, since the last Trisha Yearwood concert!). The big songs were there, "I'd Rather Ride Around With You", "The Fear Of Being Alone", "Whoever's in New England", "Forever Love"…. And a particularly raunchy version of "Fancy". I wish I'd had a tape recorder!!

About a half-way through the set, we were treated to some wonderful acoustic songs with just Reba, the fiddle player and the guitarists. A welcome break to the full band songs and some of the most tender moments were to be had in these few songs.

With the band back together we were also treated to some cover versions from artists that Reba recognises as influential to her music and career -Linda Ronstadt and Dolly Parton. Thereby quashing those rumors that Reba and Dolly are arch enemies?!

With Linda Davis on backing vocals we knew we were in for a duet, and it was to be the award winning "Does He Love You". The only small problem appeared to be that Linda's microphone was too quiet for the first verse. This was quickly fixed and this powerful and emotive ballad brought a seated crowd to its feet!

And as the final song brought the house down every single person in the audience had been transfixed by a show that was simply stunning. And the encore? A moving unaccompanied rendition of "Sweet Dreams". Just to prove to us all that Reba not only has a big voice but the power and range to boot! Immense and the moments and memories will be cherished forever!