As always, KILT pulled out the big Smith & Wesson's for this year's Ten Man Jam to give the station's biggest and most loyal fans a memorable country concert experience. Wednesday's show at Verizon Wireless marked the 11th year that the station (FM 100.3) has put on this intimate concert series showcasing 10 of the hottest names in country music — many of whom have Houston and other Texas ties.

Any show at Verizon Wireless is already primed for an intimate setting with a seating capacity around 2,500. But this show is all about the personal side of the artists and their music. They interact not only with their steadfast and avid fans but with the other artists just feet away. And why not? They share the same slots on the same popular radio stations, why not the same stage? You'll even get a chance to hear Martina McBride chime in to the end of a Kevin Fowler song if you're lucky.

The star studded honky tonk lineup began with a quick four-song set from Alan Jackson and then select songs from Josh Abbott Band, Gary Allen, Eric Church, Sara Evans, Kevin Fowler, Jack Ingram, JaneDear Girls, Stoney LaRue, Martina McBride, Darius Rucker, Thompson Square and Clay Walker.

A handful of those artists alone are well worth the price of admission, but together on one stage? Priceless.

And on the subject of admission, there isn't any. At least not monetarily. You can't buy them anywhere (unless some weirdos are selling them on Craigslist). Tickets can only be won by calling KILT or showing up at one of their many appearances. Only the loyal and aggressive need apply.

The setup on stage is quite unique. The night starts with one artist (i.e. Clay Walker) who carefully selects one of his #1 hits. Once he's finished, he introduces the next artist who walks out on stage with an aptly marketed Bud Light in hand (i.e. Stoney LaRue), usually with the ultimate endorsement that takes the other by surprise or a personal story of the first time the two met.

This platform continues until five of the acts are on stage at once each singing three songs with a very small backup band (or strictly acoustic) behind them. After a short intermission, the next group comes out in a similar fashion.

This setup allows the opportunity to see several artists perform on one stage at the same time. Coziness aside, the diversity gives the audience a buffet style of music that can't be found anywhere else.

It's customary for TMJ to be set up so that the more established artists introduce some of the up-and-comers, giving those rookies an added element of street cred from some of the biggest names in the biz. Within one glorious hour you hear artists of varying ages, professional levels and backgrounds singing their new hits, Christmas carols, a dazzling solo on the fiddle (thanks to Susie Brown from the JaneDear Girls) or the songs that topped the charts years ago catapulting them to Grand Ole Opry status.

The lineup for TMJ gets better and better every year — I'm already waiting to hear next year's lineup but they'll keep that under wraps for quite some time.

As long as they bring Darius Rucker and Sara Evans back, I'll be a happy girl. And if they promise to keep leaving Jessica Simpson off the lineup, that's also a plus.