Register critic Ben Wener and his crew are out at the Empire Polo Field for the three-day Stagecoach 2012 country music festival. Friday evening included stellar performances by Alabama, Jason Aldean, Sara Evans and the Eli Young Band. For a full review of Day 1, click here.

Click here for a photo slideshow from Stagecoach 2012 Day 1.

Follow the Orange County Register’s Stagecoach 2012 coverage on the Soundcheck Blog.

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Photo by FRAZER HARRISON, GETTY IMAGES FOR STAGECOACH