Big & Rich got the party started

If the Packers are looking for ways to fire up fans and boost home field advantage this season, they might want to keep Big Kenny and John Rich’s numbers handy.

The country duo of Big & Rich whipped a big crowd into an even bigger football frenzy on Saturday for the team’s annual free Kickoff Weekend concert outside Lambeau Field’s Oneida Nation Gate. On the eve of the Vikings-Packers home opener, the show drew a mix of local residents, out-of-town visitors and country music fans double dipping before heading across the street to catch the second night of Eric Church’s Double Down Tour at the Resch Center.

Big & Rich were willing to use every trick in their playbook to get the party rolling, from chatter about the squeakiness of a good cheese curd to an unbilled guest appearance by country rapper Cowboy Troy to a cover of Sir Mix-A-Lot’s “Baby Got Back” with banjo.

Active military members, veterans, police officers, emergency workers and teachers got a collective toast from the crowd. Two veterans were honored onstage and invited to take a seat at the Heroes Bar set up near the band. Rich pointed out the two American flags behind the crowd on Armed Forces Drive and invited everyone to join in a rendition of “God Bless America.”

“I don’t care about your politics or what you think. I think we can all agree it would be nice for God to bless America, right?” Rich said.

Cowboy Troy performed his hit “I Play Chicken with the Train” and gave a shout-out to his buddy, retired Packers wide receiver Donald Driver, who danced a perfect-score freestyle to the song to win Season 14 of “Dancing With the Stars.” There was no surprise appearance by Driver on Saturday, but he did check in via Twitter, writing: “My brother @cowboytroy is in Green Bay performing. Thanks for the shoutout. @packers #Packer4Life #FanLove # GoPackGo”

“Who came here to party? Big & Rich. That’s who,” said Rich, who asked the crowd throughout the night if he could get a “hell yeah.”

Of course, he could.

SARAH KLOEPPING / USA TODAY NETWORK-WIS. Big Kenny of Big & Rich performs outside Lambeau Field for the Packers' home-opening weekend.