Bryan White performs at Country Thunder in Florence, Ariz., April 5, 2018.

Since he debuted in 1994, Bryan White has had four number one country hits singles (including "Someone Else's Star," "Rebecca Lynn," "So Much for Pretending" and "Sittin' on Go").

Adam Sanders performs at Country Thunder in Florence, Ariz., April 5, 2018.

Adam Sanders co-wrote the hits "Ain't Worth the Whiskey" (for Cole Swindell) and "Hell of a Night" (for Dustin Lynch). In March he released his latest single, "Over Did It," from his upcoming debut EP.

Lauren Alaina performs at Country Thunder in Florence, Ariz., April 5, 2018.Country Thunder Music Festival in Florence, Arizona April 5-8, 2018.

An "American Idol" runner-upm Lauren Alaina reached number two on the country charts with her 2011 debut album, "Wildflower," followed by "Road Less Traveled." 

She was named New Artist of the Year at the American Country Awards in 2012. 

Lauren Alaina at Country Thunder in Florence, Ariz., April 5, 2018.

Cole Swindell performs at Country Thunder in Florence, Ariz., April 5, 2018.

Cole Swindell, who has written songs for Luke Bryan, Chris Young, Craig Campbell and Scotty McCreery, recorded his debut album in 2014. It produced the singles "Hope You Get Lonely Tonight," "Ain't Worth the Whiskey," and the number one country hit "Chillin' It." His second album featured another chart-topper, "You Should Be Here."Country Thunder Music Festival in Florence, Arizona April 5-8, 2018.

Swindell has toured with Dierks Bentley, Jason Aldean and Florida Georgia Line. 

As headliner of the festival's opening night, Swindell not only played some dependably popular country hits but also "Purple Rain" by Prince, and Ed Sheeran's "Shape of You."

More than 100,000 were expected at this year's Country Thunder Music Festival in Florence, Arizona.

A fashion-conscious visitor at Country Thunder.

Some trucks never die. 

Getting around is a breeze. 

Guests take part in line dancing lessons.

Line dancers.

A festival-goer between acts.

Group activity.

Something like a mechanical bronco.

A very happy visitor.

Some off-stage roughhousing.

Participants in the "Dancing With the Thunder" country swing dance contest.

Participants in the "Dancing With the Thunder" country swing dance contest.

Drew Baldridge performs at Country Thunder in Florence, Ariz., April 6, 2018.

Baldridge released his first album, "Dirt on Us," in 2016. He released the single, "Guns & Roses," in advance of his second album.

Tracy Lawrence performs at Country Thunder in Florence, Ariz., April 6, 2018.

Lawrence's debut album, in 1991, featured the Number One country hit "Sticks and Stones." He's followed with seven more Number One country hits, including "Alibis," "Can't Break It To My Heart," "If the Good Die Young," "Time Marches On," and "Find Out Who Your Friends Are."

Tracy Lawrence's most recent album, released last November, is "Good Ole Days," featuring re-recording of some of his biggest songs partnering with such artists as Jason Aldean, Tim McGraw and Dustin Lynch.

At the Country Thunder Music Festival in Florence, Arizona.

Jason Aldean performs at Country Thunder in Florence, Ariz., April 6, 2018.

Winner of 10 ACM Awards, Aldean has had five number one country albums, and nine number one singles.

Jason Alden's biggest hits include "Don't You Wanna Stay," "Dirt Road Anthem," "Take a Little Ride," "Night Train" and "Burnin' It Down."

The audience joins in.

Ride That Pony!

Too tired to canoodle.

RVs provide an excellent perch.

Fly your flag! (Arizona's, that is.)

Festival-goers strike a pose.

See-saw.

The group Runaway June - Hannah Mulholland, Naomi Cooke and Jennifer Wayne - performs at Country Thunder in Florence, Ariz., April 7, 2018.

In 2016 Runaway June released their debut single, "Lipstick," making them the first all-female trio in a decade to have a Top 30 hit on the Mediabase Country chart.Country Thunder Music Festival in Florence, Arizona April 5-8, 2018.

Hannah Mulholland of Runaway June performs at Country Thunder in Florence, Ariz., April 7, 2018.

Naomi Cooke of Runaway June performs at Country Thunder in Florence, Ariz., April 7, 2018.

Jennifer Wayne of Runaway June performs at Country Thunder in Florence, Ariz., April 7, 2018. Wayne, the granddaughter of actor John Wayne, was previously part of the group Stealing Angels.

Runaway June performs at Country Thunder in Florence, Ariz., April 7, 2018.

The country duo Big & Rich -- Big Kenny and John Rich -- performs at Country Thunder in Florence, Ariz., April 7, 2018.

Big & Rich have been performing together off-and-on since 2003. Their 2004 album "Horse of a Different color" went to Number One on the Billboard Country chart and featured the single "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)." They've released five more studio albums, including "Comin' to Your City," "Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace" (2007), "Hillbilly Jedi" (2012), "Gravity" (2014), and "Did It For the Party" (2017).

The two have also recorded solo albums during their hiatus.

Big Kenny released "The Quiet Times of a Rock and Roll Farm Boy" (which produced the Top 40 hit "Long After I'm Gone") and "Big Kenny's Love Everybody Traveling Musical Medicine Show Mix Tape, Vol. 1."Country Thunder Music Festival in Florence, Arizona April 5-8, 2018.

John Rich's 2009 solo album "Son of a Preacher Man" featured "Shuttin' Detroit Down."

Big & Rich performs at Country Thunder in Florence, Ariz., April 7, 2018.

Big & Rich performs at Country Thunder in Florence, Ariz., April 7, 2018.

More Country Thunder 2018 festivals will be held in Craven, Saskatchewan (July 12-15), Twin Lakes, Wis. (July 19-22), and Calgary, Alberta (August 17-19).

      
For more info: 
countrythunder.com 

   
Photos by Jake Barlow and Heather Beehner; edited by David Morgan