• Blog,  Concerts

    Another Surprise Show: Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band Concert Review

    October 12 2023 / No Comments
    • Date of Concert: October 11, 2023
    • Location of Concert: Paramount Arts Center in Ashland, KY

    Well, this was another surprise for me.

    While I was at the Ringo Starr show Monday night of October 9, a friend of mine, Mary Honaker, told me that she and her husband Garrett could not go to the Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band concert two nights later and asked me if I wanted their tickets.

    Of course, I said yes.

    Again, this was not planned, but I was not going to refuse.

    I’m sorry Mary and Garrett could not go, but I thank them very much for allowing me to use the tickets.

    A friend of mine, John Robinette, and I went.

    As it turned out, we were in the 5th row!!

    There were no openers.  Just Kenny and his phenomenal band.

    Lots of newer songs, older songs, some covers.  Awesome musicianship all around, and great singing.

    I really needed this one because I’ve been very melancholy lately and am still contemplating how many more of these shows I can go to.  But this show really lifted me up.

    Thanks to Kenny and his band for a great night, and again, thanks to my friend John for agreeing to come with me to the show, and most especially, thanks to my friends Mary and Garrett for giving me the tickets.

    I have a few more shows to go to this year, so stay tuned for those reviews.

    Then, I start up almost immediately next year, and will be busy until at least April.

    I truly do want to slow down, BUT, I’m not done yet.

    Band Members:

    • Kenny Wayne Shepherd (Lead Guitar/Lead Vocals)
    • Noah Hunt (Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar)
    • Chris Layton (Drums)
    • Kevin McCormick (Bass)
    • Joe Krown (Organ/Keyboards)

    Set List:

    1. Woman Like You
    2. Mr. Soul (Buffalo Springfield cover)
    3. Long Time Running
    4. I Want You
    5. Diamonds & Gold
    6. Deja Voodoo
    7. Shame, Shame, Shame
    8. Born With A Broken Heart
    9. While We Cry
    10. Down For Love
    11. Turn To Stone (Joe Walsh cover)
    12. Encore:  Blue On Black
    13. I’m A King Bee (Slim Harpo cover)
    14. Voodoo Child (Slight Return (The Jimi Hendrix Experience cover)

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

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  • Blog,  Concerts

    Surprise to Me: Ringo Starr And His All Starr Band Concert Review

    October 11 2023 / No Comments
    • Date of Concert: October 9, 2023
    • Location of Concert: Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center in Charleston, WV

    This was not planned and I did not intend to go, but I got a ticket through work to go to a very special show.

    So because of getting this ticket, which I greatly appreciate, I saw Ringo Starr And His All Starr Band just down the street from where I work!!

    I had seen Ringo and his band in 2016, which was a blast, and considering how busy I have been this year with shows (still not done yet, but who knows, I may be slowing down next year) I was not intending to go.

    But hey, I’m not going to argue with a free ticket.

    Anyway, on with the show.

    There were no openers.  The band started on time at 7:30 PM, playing a little more than two hours of hits.

    With this band, it’s never just about Ringo and the band doing his songs only.  They do that (Ringo’s songs he sang in The Beatles and solo hits) but since it is an All Star band, songs from most of the band members are played too.

    So since Edgar Winter is in the band, they play some of his songs.  Steve Lukather of Toto (and has played with soooooooooooooooooo many others) plays guitar/bass in the band so they play some Toto songs.  Colin Hay of Men At Work, who also plays guitar in the band, does some of his songs, Hamish Stuart of Average White Band songs are played, etc.

    They have a great time and give the fans everything they have.

    Ringo is 83 years old (looks like he’s 50) and has more energy than anyone in the room. 

    When he’s not out front, he’s behind his drum kit playing, along with main drummer Gregg Bissonette, who is a monster player, having played with David Lee Roth and many others.

    I enjoyed all the songs.  Everyone sang and played great.  It’s everything you would want in a concert and more.

    Again, I was not intending to go to this this time, but I’m grateful to my work place who gave me a ticket.  Thank you very much.

    Band Members:

    • Ringo Starr (Lead Vocals/Drums)
    • Edgar Winter (Keyboards/Keytar/Saxophone/Percussion/Lead Vocals)
    • Steve Lukather (Guitar/Bass/Vocals)
    • Colin Hay (Guitar/Vocals)
    • Hamish Stuart (Bass/Guitar/Vocals)
    • Warren Ham (Saxophone/Percussion/Vocals)
    • Gregg Bissonette (Drums/Trumpet briefly during Yellow Submarine)

    Set List:

    1. Matchbox (Carl Perkins cover Ringo sings)
    2. It Don’t Come Easy (Ringo)
    3. What Goes On (The Beatles song Ringo sings)
    4. Free Ride (Edgar Winter song he sings)
    5. Rosanna (Toto song Steve Lukather sings)
    6. Pick Up The Pieces (Hamish Stuart-Average White Band song)
    7. Down Under (Colin Hay-Men At Work song)
    8. Boys (The Beatles song Ringo sings)
    9. I’m The Greatest (Ringo)
    10. Yellow Submarine (The Beatles song Ringo sings)
    11. Cut The Cake (Hamish Stuart-Average White Band song)
    12. Frankenstein (Edgar Winter song)
    13. Octopus’s Garden (The Beatles song Ringo sings)
    14. Back Off Boogaloo (Ringo)
    15. Overkill (Colin Hay-Men At Work song)
    16. Africa (Toto song Steve Lukather sings)
    17. Work To Do (The Isley Brothers cover Hamish Stuart sings)
    18. I Wanna Be Your Man (The Beatles song Ringo sings)
    19. Johnny B. Goode (Chuck Berry cover Edgar Winter sings)
    20. Who Can It Be Now? (Colin Hay-Men At Work song)
    21. Hold The Line (Toto song Steve Lukather sings)
    22. Photograph (Ringo)
    23. Act Naturally (Johnny Russell cover The Beatles covered which Ringo sings)
    24. With A Little Help From My Friends (The Beatles song Ringo sings)/Give Peace A Chance (John Lennon cover everyone sings-This show was on John’s birthday)

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

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    Video Gallery (click on thumbnail to play video)

  • Blog,  Concerts

    My 1st KISS: My 1st Concert

    September 26 2023 / 2 Comments
    • Date of Concert: December 8, 1998
    • Location of Concert: Charleston Civic Center in Charleston, WV
    • Opener: Econoline Crush

    Almost 25 years ago, I went to my 1st concert.

    I may have seen someone play before this at a Summer Motion/4th of July event, but I don’t remember them.

    So, this was my 1st concert.

    And it just happened to be my favorite band ever:  KISS!!!!

    December 8, 1998 at the then Charleston Civic Center (Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center in 2023 as I type this).

    I was 16 years old (I’m 41 as I type this in 2023.).

    I still was not quite driving yet (actually I was very late getting my license but that’s another story), and this was before I ever owned a personal computer.

    So, I had to get tickets the old fashioned way:  go to a ticket outlet.

    And this case, it was our local Kroger.

    My Dad took me to Kroger on a Saturday morning earlier that year to buy tickets.

    I remember it being cold and we waited in line with many others to buy tickets. 

    It took about 2-3 hours before we got them (3 tickets) but no regrets.

    I, my Dad, and my brother Christopher went to the show.

    A band I had never heard of before or since, Econoline Crush, opened.

    They were fine and actually very loud (this was my 1st time hearing music played that loud).

    After they were done, I put ear plugs into my ears, and from that point on, I’ve used ear plugs at almost every show I’ve seen for safety.

    I sadly do not have any pictures to show, other than my ticket stub, but I will give you my memories of this show (It also helps I have the audio and video of it and no I did not record them.  I got them from fans.)

    KISS were on their Psycho Circus tour (new album at the time has the same name) at the time.

    It was still the original lineup of Gene Simmons (Vocals/Bass), Paul Stanley (Vocals/Guitar), Ace Frehley (Vocals/Lead Guitar), and Peter Criss (Vocals/Drums).

    To give some backstory, I actually had just become a fan of theirs earlier that year (at that point, I knew of Gene in the movie Runaway and knew of the band but was not aware of much of their music) when I saw them featured on a VH1 show called The 100 Greatest Artists of Rock & Roll (They were listed at 67.).

    I bought a best of album called Greatest KISS first and I fell instantly in love.

    I soon started buying their albums (they have many), although I still did not have all of them by the time I saw them.

    But I was very aware of a lot of it by show time.

    They had a big curtain up, as they always do, before the show.

    I’ll always remember the moment the curtain came down and there they were (we had great seats by the way, right by Paul’s b-stage he flew out onto later on). 

    You could not have taken the smile off my face with anything. 

    I could have died that night and been happy.  It meant everything to me and still does.

    They played 3 songs from Psycho Circus and a lot of classics from the 70s.

    Peter’s drum kit went up into the air and flew out over the audience.

    Ace’s guitar smoked and flew through the air.

    As I said, Paul flew through the air onto the b-stage later on for a few songs.

    And Gene spit fire and blood as he does, and flew up into the air on a small platform for his signature song God Of Thunder.

    Also, some of the show involved using 3-D glasses.

    They did not work for everyone.  It depended on where you were, but they worked for me.

    What it was was that during certain points in the show, you would be instructed to put on your glasses and you would see some cool imagery.

    The imagery included Ace and Peter pointing their guitar and drum sticks right at you, Gene’s face flying around, and maybe Paul’s guitar stuck out at you too, and some other stuff I don’t remember.

    I thought it was pretty cool, but again, it did not work for everyone there.

    I still have the glasses too, as well as some of the paper confetti that came down from the ceiling at the end of the show.

    25 years later, I still love KISS so much.

    I love every album and every lineup.

    I had no idea that 25 years later, I would still be seeing bands/artists I love (I’ve seen KISS 11 times alone as of 2023.).

    This was the start of something that for many years was just something fun to do every once in awhile.  But eventually, it became a passion/positive obsession.

    There have been MANY shows I did not see and I regret that.

    But overall, I’ve done pretty good.

    And I’m not done yet.

    I’ve been saying for years I’m going to stop or slow down, but I’ve yet to do it.

    Maybe I’ll slow down in 2024?  We’ll see.

    I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I loved living it.

    Onwards.

    Set List:

    1. Psycho Circus
    2. Shout It Out Loud
    3. Deuce
    4. Do You Love Me
    5. Firehouse
    6. Shock Me
    7. Let Me Go, Rock ‘N’ Roll
    8. Calling Dr. Love
    9. Into The Void
    10. Ace Guitar Solo
    11. King Of The Night Time World
    12. Bass Solo
    13. God Of Thunder
    14. Within
    15. Peter Drum Solo
    16. Cold Gin
    17. Love Gun
    18. 100,000 Years
    19. Rock And Roll All Nite
    20. Encore:  Beth
    21. Detroit Rock City
    22. Black Diamond

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

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  • Blog,  Concerts

    My FarmAid 2023 Experience

    September 24 2023 / No Comments
    • Date of Concert: September 23, 2023
    • Location of Concert: Ruoff Music Center in Noblesville, IN

    I’ve been a Neil Young fan for many years, but unfortunately, just never got around to seeing him in concert.

    Well, this was my chance.

    FarmAid 2023.

    Neil is one of the founders of it, along with Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp.

    This started in 1985.

    Many bands/artists have played at FarmAid.

    It’s all for a great cause:  to support the American family farmers.

    This was a one day event.

    It started shortly after 12:30 PM and ended at almost midnight.

    I was there for all of it and have the sunburns to prove it (I thought I was going to be under the roof, but I was just on the edge of it, so I got a lot of sun rays.).

    But anyway, it was a great event.

    Great staff. Great food. And of course great music.

    The show started off with Native Pride Productions and Wisdom Indian Dancers, who welcomed everyone to the show and did some great dancing.

    Then shortly after that, Clayton Anderson and his band performed.  He started off the show with a country rock set.  Pretty good.

    Then The Black Opry feat. Lori Rayne, Tylar Bryant and Kyshona performed. 

    They were all vocals and acoustic guitars. 

    Interestingly, none of them performed together, but each one would perform their own songs, while the others would wait their turn to sing/play their songs. 

    Either way, they’re very good.  Good singing, good playing.

    Then Particle Kid performed.  This is Micah Nelson, one of Willie Nelson’s sons. 

    He did a one man show, just him and a guitar, and he was very good.

    After this, The String Cheese Incident performed.  This band has been around for 30 years and are still going strong.  Really fun music.

    Next, Allison Russell performed.  She and her band played a great set and Kyshona of The Black Opry and Lukas Nelson, another one of Willie’s sons, guested with her and her band at the end of their set.

    After this, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats performed.  This was my favorite act so far.  Rock and Soul that’s the best way to describe them.  Really fun and energetic.  Awesome.

    Next up, Lukas Nelson & Promise Of The Real. 

    Again, Lukas is one of Willie’s sons and he has had this band for several years (they even backed up Neil Young for a few years for some albums and tours). 

    Lukas is a phenomenal talent.  Phenomenal singer.  Phenomenal guitarist/pianist.  And his band is solid as a rock. 

    I’m glad I finally saw them. 

    As it turns out, this was the second time I’d seen Lukas on this day (see above) and two more times later on (read on).

    Next, Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros. feat. The Wolfpack.

    Bobby Weir is one of the founders/singers/guitarists of The Grateful Dead.

    This was the second time I had seen him (I saw him with Dead And Company, which is most of the surviving members of The Dead, in 2017). 

    He and his band (which includes super producer Don Was on bass) played a short set, but as he does, there was some serious jamming. 

    Lukas Nelson and Sturgill Simpson played guest guitars. 

    Margo Price (who  performed two acts later) guested on vocals too. 

    Too short a set for me, but good nonetheless.

    Next was The Jim Irsay Band. 

    Jim Irsay is a legitimate billionaire (owner of The Indianapolis Colts) and is quite a collector of memorabilia.  Particularly music memorabilia. 

    He has the famous David Gilmour (Pink Floyd) black guitar he used for many years, has one of Ringo’s Beatles drum kits, and sooooo much more. 

    So, in recent times, he has been going around with an exhibit (it’s free, it was at this event but unfortunately I did not get a chance to go see it) of some of his collection that he has bought through auctions etc. 

    Also, around this, he assembles a band, featuring some known people, and does a show playing covers. 

    Jim sings some and he brings other singers on too. 

    On this day, he had Ann Wilson of Heart sing a song by The Who and Heart (her group), Kenny Aronoff (who has played with sooo many people, including John Mellencamp) on drums, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd was one of the guitarists. 

    When the band played Pink Floyd’s Comfortably Numb, Kenny played that same David Gilmour guitar I just mentioned.  Pretty cool. 

    Also, Jim and John Mellencamp himself (more on him in awhile) presented a check for 1 million dollars to the American farmers.  Again, very cool.  Fun little set.

    Next was Margo Price.  This was one of the people I was not super familiar with. 

    She is also one of the FarmAid board members and played a very good set. 

    However personally, by this point, I was wearing down, and was ready for the last 4 acts. 

    Aside from Willie (more on him in a bit), I think she played the longest set of the day. 

    Again, very good, but I was ready to move on at this point.

    And move on we did.

    Next up was Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds. 

    Dave is especially known as the singer/guitarist/songwriter of The Dave Matthews Band. 

    However, he also does albums/tours with guitarist extraordinaire Tim Reynolds. 

    Tim is PHENOMENAL on guitar.  Dave sings and plays rhythm acoustic, while Tim plays lead acoustic.  Wow!! 

    Dave still sings great and the two of them are a PHENOMENAL duo. 

    I’ve been a fan of Dave for many years, but somehow, just never saw him until this event.  I’m glad I finally did.

    Then, Dave came back out a little while later and introduced the next performer:  the one and only John Mellencamp!! 

    I was supposed to see Mellencamp in May of this year, but unfortunately, I was sick and was not able to go. 

    That changed on this night. 

    He and his band played a great, although not super long, set of hits.  I’m glad I finally saw him.  He’s still great.

    Then the MAIN reason why I went to this came up next:  Neil Young!!!!  John Mellencamp introduced him, and Neil came out and played (just him singing/playing acoustic guitar and harmonica) for 4 songs. 

    The only reason why I think he only played 4 songs (he was scheduled for 40 minutes, according to the event app) was because at some point in the day, the turnaround time between each act got behind. 

    The turnaround was still pretty fast all day and night, but nevertheless, it seemingly got behind and the set times definitely fluctuated. 

    So, I think Neil played a much shorter set to try to somewhat get things back on time, even though that didn’t really happen. 

    Maybe I’m wrong but that’s what I think happened.

    I’m disappointed that I waited this long to see Neil and he only got to play 4 songs, but having said that, I’m glad I saw him. 

    He sounded great, and I love seeing/hearing him do his one man show. 

    But it would have been nice to get a few, or a lot more songs. 

    Maybe someday I’ll see just his show, but if not, I’m still glad I got what I got. 

    He was a HUGE bucket list concert for me, and I can scratch that off now. 

    I’ll forever respect Neil and love his massive discography.

    Thank you Neil!!!!

    Then, a SURPRISE happened.  This act was not officially scheduled to play at all.  But to everyone’s surprise, instead of Willie Nelson coming on next, Bob Dylan came on next!!!! 

    And with some of The Heartbreakers (Tom Petty’s band, featuring guitarist Mike Campbell, keyboardist Benmont Tench and drummer Steve Ferrone) playing with him no less.  It was just 3 songs, but wow, what an awesome surprise. 

    This was my 3rd time seeing Bob. 

    He’s not for everyone, but I love him.  I consider him a national treasure. And I saw him play guitar, which doesn’t sound out of the ordinary, but in my case, when I’d seen him before, he just sang and played piano.  No guitar or harmonica, which he’s known for.  Either way, WOW!!!

    Then, Willie Nelson & Family (his sons Lukas and Micah were highly featured) perform.  Willie, at 90 years old, is still the best at what he does, in my opinion. 

    He’s also a national treasure that should always be revered. 

    Most of the day’s performers came out at the end of the set and joined in on the last few songs of the night. 

    I could say more, but this was quite the day, and aside from getting sunburned and taking a little while to get out at the end, it was a great day.

    And again, even though Neil’s set was short, I’m still very happy that I FINALLY saw him.

    Everyone sang and played great.

    Oh and I almost forgot:  I cannot say enough how AMAZING the backdrops were behind the acts during each set. 

    They were all PHENOMENAL stills of farms, land, houses, small towns, nature, berries, just beautiful photography.

    I had never gone to FarmAid, but I’m glad I went to this one.

    Thank you everyone for the great experience.

    I have included most of the set lists, as well as many pictures and some video I took (sorry for the quality).

    Willie Nelson & Family Set List:

    1. Whiskey River
    2. Bloody Mary Morning
    3. I Never Cared For You
    4. Texas Flood (Lukas Nelson on Lead Vocals)
    5. Help Me Make It Through The Night (w/Waylon Payne)
    6. Die When I’m High (Halfway To Heaven) (Micah Nelson on Lead Vocals)
    7. Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys
    8. Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground
    9. On The Road Again
    10. Always On My Mind
    11. Just Outside Of Austin (Lukas on Lead Vocals)
    12. Good Hearted Woman
    13. I Been To Georgia On A Fast Train
    14. Everything is Bullshit (Micah on Lead Vocals)
    15. Roll Me Up And Smoke Me When I Die
    16. Write Your Own Songs
    17. Will The Circle Be Unbroken/I’ll Fly Away (with most of the acts of the day on stage)
    18. It’s Hard To Be Humble (with most of the acts of the day on stage)

    Bob Dylan Set List:

    1. Maggie’s Farm
    2. Positively 4th Street
    3. Ballad Of A Thin Man

    Neil Young Set List:

    1. Comes A Time
    2. Are There Any More Real Cowboys?
    3. Love Earth
    4. Heart Of Gold

    John Mellencamp Set List:

    1. John Cockers
    2. Paper In Fire
    3. Small Town
    4. Jack & Diane (solo acoustic and he let the audience sing most of it)
    5. Rain On The Scarecrow
    6. Lonely Of Night
    7. Crumblin’ Down/Gloria
    8. Pink Houses

    Dave Matthews And Tim Reynolds Set List:

    1. Rye Whiskey
    2. Satellite
    3. So Damn Lucky
    4. Virginia In The Rain
    5. Lie In Our Graves
    6. Monsters
    7. Crush

    Margo Price Set List:

    1. Been To The Mountain
    2. Four Years Of Chances
    3. Shelter Me
    4. Change Of Heart
    5. Life Of Sin (w/Sturgill Simpson)
    6. Marry Jane’s Last Dance (w/Sturgill Simpson)
    7. Paper Cowboy (w/Sturgill Simpson)
    8. Hurtin’ (On The Bottle (w/Sturgill Simpson)

    The Jim Irsay Band Set List:

    1. Lawyers, Guns And Money
    2. Comfortably Numb (w/Kenny Wayne Shepherd playing David Gilmour’s black Stratocaster)
    3. Love Reign O’er Me (w/Ann Wilson on Lead Vocals)
    4. Barracuda (w/Ann Wilson on Lead Vocals)

    Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros. feat. The Wolf Pack Set List:

    1. Truckin’
    2. Dark Star
    3. Not Fade Away

    Lukas Nelson & Promise Of The Real Set List:

    1. Sticks And Stones
    2. Icarus
    3. If I Didn’t Love You
    4. Giving You Away
    5. All Four Winds
    6. Ladder Of Love
    7. Find Yourself

    Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats Set List:

    1. Suffer Me
    2. Intro
    3. I Need Never Get Old
    4. Heartless
    5. Dancing In The Dark
    6. Trying So Hard Not To Know
    7. Time Makes Fools
    8. Love Don’t

    Alison Russell Set List:

    1. Springtime
    2. The Returner
    3. Eve Was Black
    4. Stay Right Here
    5. Requiem (w/Kyshona of The Black Opry and Lukas Nelson)

    The String Cheese Incident Set List:

    1. Can’t Wait Another Day
    2. Lend Me A Hand
    3. Colorado Bluebird Sky
    4. Shine

    Particle Kid Set List:

    1. Bleed
    2. Someone Else’s Dream
    3. Even The Birds 
    4. Everything Is Bullshit

    Clayton Anderson Set List:

    1. Better By The Day
    2. Right Where We Belong
    3. Indiana
    4. Made In The USA
    5. Only To Borrow

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

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    Video Gallery (click on thumbnail to play video)

  • Blog,  Concerts

    We Built This City on Rock And Roll!!: Starship Featuring Mickey Thomas Concert Review

    September 3 2023 / No Comments
    • Date of Concert: September 2, 2023
    • Location of Concert: Portsmouth River Days in Portsmouth, OH
    • Opener: Silver Springs: A Fleetwood Mac Experience

    A couple of my friends and I saw Starship Featuring Mickey Thomas Saturday night in Portsmouth, OH.

    A Fleetwood Mac tribute band called Silver Springs:  A Fleetwood Mac Experience opened the show.

    They played many Fleetwood Mac hits and did a good job.

    Then Starship came on later.

    It features singer Mickey Thomas, who has been in both Jefferson Starship and later known as Starship, a solo artist, and has done a lot of recordings.

    He was also in The Elvin Bishop Group, singing lead on the hit song Silent Night, and one of the singers on the hit Fooled Around And Fell In Love.

    He’s always been a great singer and he has not lost anything in his voice.

    He and his band still go out and give the fans the hits of Jefferson Airplane, which all of this originally was, as well as the Jefferson Starship and Starship hits, many of which he was a huge part of.

    He’s got a great band.  Guitarist John Roth also plays guitar for Winger.  Excellent player.

    Cian Coey sings the Grace Slick parts really well.

    Everyone is solid.

    Great, fun show.  And it was free!!

    My next show is in three weeks.

    And that’s FarmAid!!

     

    Starship Featuring Mickey Thomas Band Members:

    • Mickey Thomas (Lead Vocals/Acoustic Guitar)
    • Cian Coey (Lead Vocals/Backing Vocals)
    • John Roth (Guitar)
    • Jeff Adams (Bass)
    • Phil Bennett (Keyboards)
    • Darrell Verdusco (Drums)

    Silver Springs: A Fleetwood Mac Experience Band Members:

    • Becky Kimble (Lead Vocals/Acoustic Guitar)
    • Keith Williams (Guitar/Vocals)
    • Steve Poole (Keyboards/Vocals)
    • Daniel Tharp (Bass/Vocals)
    • Adam Reckner (Drums)
    • Sue Rance (Lead Vocals)

    Starship Featuring Mickey Thomas Set List:

    1. Laying It On The Line
    2. Jane
    3. Sarah
    4. Wild Again
    5. Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now
    6. Set The Night To Music
    7. White Rabbit/Miracles/Count On Me/Somebody To Love
    8. Fooled Around And Fell In Love
    9. Stranger
    10. We Built This City
    11. Find Your Way Back

    Silver Springs: A Fleetwood Mac Experience Set List:

    1. The Chain
    2. Over My Head
    3. Dreams
    4. Everywhere
    5. Stop Dragging My Heart Around
    6. Go Your Own Way
    7. Say You Love Me
    8. Seven Wonders
    9. You Make Loving Fun
    10. Landslide
    11. Gypsy
    12. Little Lies
    13. Sara
    14. unknown song
    15. Gold Dust Woman
    16. Tusk
    17. Rhiannon

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

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    Video Gallery (click on thumbnail to play video)

  • Blog,  Concerts

    70s Glam Rock at it’s Finest: Angel and The Sweet Concert Review

    August 27 2023 / No Comments
    • Date of Concert: August 26, 2023
    • Location of Concert: The King of Clubs in Columbus, OH

    Where do I begin?

    Well, I’ll start with that days like this are what I always wish for.

    And that is going to a great concert, seeing/meeting great bands and people, and of course, hearing great music.

    All of that happened at this concert.

    I saw for the second time one of my favorite bands of all time, Angel, and for the first time, I saw The Sweet.

    Two great bands from the 1970s.

    Angel started the show with a phenomenal set of songs and volume.

    Original members Frank Dimino (Lead Vocals) and Punky Meadows (Lead Guitar) are still kicking butt, along with their phenomenal band of Danny Farrow Anniello (Rhythm Guitar), Charlie Calv (Keyboards), Steve E. Ojaine (Bass), and Billy Orrico (Drums).

    Angel, like I said in my earlier blog from this year (link here 3/12/2023 ) are a band that in my opinion should be so much bigger and more known.

    They had it all.  The talent, the songs, the look, a great record company, everything. 

    But for whatever reason, they never got past a cult following.  I don’t understand it because they were and are just a phenomenal band.

    Frank Dimino to me is one of the best singers out there even today.  He’s always been great and has not lost anything in his voice.

    Punky Meadows has always been a great guitarist and I think he has gotten better with age.

    The whole band is just really tight and solid as a rock.

    And they’re still putting out great new albums (Risen in 2019 and this year’s Once Upon A Time are two favorites of mine, but I’m biased admittedly and love all their albums).

    I’m glad that after many years of not being a band that they did return a few years ago and are showing people they still do kick butt with the best of them

    And I am so grateful that I have been able to see them again, and hopefully more in the future.

    And I forgot to say that I met all the guys at this show too!!!!!!!

    I was able to go to their meet and greet before their show and got all of my Angel CDs as well as Frank’s and Punky’s solo albums signed, and got my picture taken with all the guys.

    They could not have been nicer.

    I did not expect them to sign everything (the rules stated to bring 3 items) but I brought 10, if nothing else to show them how much a fan I am.  And Punky told me “we’ll sign everything”.

    Danny even jokingly said to me about Angel’s White Hot (my favorite Angel studio album) if I had heard that one yet?  Haha.

    I cannot be more grateful to all the guys, especially Punky and Danny, who are quite active on Facebook and fan friendly with everyone.  In fact, they knew who I was once I introduced myself. 

    Thank you all.

    I love you guys.

    The Sweet closed the show.

    They were very good, and rocked the house just as much as Angel did.

    The Sweet are actually two bands (this one that is authorized by original member Steve Priest’s family, and one featuring original guitarist Andy Scott).

    This has happened a lot in the last several years with bands going out under the same band name.

    Regardless of what anyone thinks about that (I personally wish everyone would have their own name), I do understand it and still support all because they’re keeping the music alive and if people want to hear the songs, then they should be able to deliver them to the people.

    And I haven’t seen Andy Scott’s version (I’d like to), but this version is very good.

    Singer Patrick Stone, Guitarist Jimmy Burkard, Bassist Stevie Stewart, Drummer Richie Onori, and Keyboardist , give the songs the justice they deserve.

    Loud and rocking.

    And the fans loved every second of it.

    Thanks everyone for bringing the rock.  Thanks to The King of Clubs for bringing these bands to their venue and for their hospitality, and thanks fellow music fan Michael Fedok for a great conversation while hanging out waiting for the meet and greet and show to happen.

    Great day.

    Angel Band Members:

    • Frank Dimino (Lead Vocals)
    • Punky Meadows (Lead Guitar)
    • Danny Farrow Anniello (Rhythm Guitar)
    • Charlie Calv (Keyboards)
    • Steve E. Ojane (Bass)
    • Billy Orrico (Drums)

    The Sweet Band Members:

    • Patrick Stone (Lead Vocals)
    • Jimmy Burkard (Guitar)
    • Stevie Stewart (Bass)
    • Richie Onori (Drums)
    • Dave Schulz (Keyboards-Although I believe someone else was playing this night. If someone knows who it is, please let know.)

    Angel Set List:

    1. On The Rocks
    2. Can You Feel It
    3. Mirrors
    4. Wild And Hot
    5. The Fortune
    6. We Were The Wild
    7. Got Love If You Want It
    8. Don’t Leave Me Lonely
    9. It’s Alright
    10. Pressure Point
    11. I Ain’t Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore
    12. Feelin’ Right
    13. Rock & Rollers
    14. Encore:  The Tower

    The Sweet Set List:

    1. Action
    2. Teenage Rampage
    3. Set Me Free
    4. Love Is Like Oxygen
    5. Sweet F.A.
    6. No You Don’t
    7. Done Me Wrong Alright/Roadhouse Blues/Drum Solo/Done Me Wrong Alright cont.
    8. Little Willy/Blockbuster/Wig-Wam Bam
    9. AC/DC
    10. Fox On The Run
    11. Ballroom Blitz

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

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    Video Gallery (click on thumbnail to play video)

  • Blog,  Concerts

    Thank You For Making Me Happy: Alter Bridge/Sevendust/MJT Concert Review

    August 24 2023 / No Comments
    • Date of Concert: August 23, 2023
    • Location of Concert: The Andrew J. Brady Music Center in Cincinnati, OH

    Nights like this are what it’s all about for me.

    I FINALLY was able to see Alter Bridge in concert!!

    I also got to see Sevendust for the third time, and a newer band called MJT.

    And I was able to be in the front row!!  WOO!!!!

    MJT started the show with a mind blowing set.

    These guys are phenomenal musicians.

    I could literally feel the music pumping out of the speakers.

    I need to look into their music because I honestly did not know about them before this.

    Next up was Sevendust.

    They have been around since the 90s, constantly touring and making albums.

    They have always been solid, and for the most part, the lineup has remained intact (original lineup for most of it and currently is that).

    They are a great combination of heavy, bombast rock/metal, but also have a lot of melody and can play acoustic as great as anyone.

    Their lead singer Lajon Witherspoon is just a really cool person and has a phenomenal voice.

    Clint Lowery and John Connely are a great guitar team.

    Vince Hornsby is just awesome on the bass.

    And Morgan Rose is a monster on the drums.

    I’ve been a fan of this band pretty much from the beginning and they always deliver the goods.

    Now if it wasn’t already great (it was), the main event was up next:  Alter Bridge!!!!

    They have been around almost 20 years and actually most of the band are also in the hugely successful band Creed.

    Alter Bridge have always been a solid hard rock band with in my opinion one of the greatest singers ever, Myles Kennedy (also a phenomenal guitarist too), fronting the band.

    Guitartist/Vocalist Mark Tremonti is just awesome.  

    Bassist Brian Marshall is one of my favorite bassists ever.  I’m super impressed with his playing.

    And Drummer Scott Phillips is always solid behind the kit.

    Alter Bridge became more popular in Europe, but have quite a following in America too and their fans appreciate them.

    The crowd was singing along to every word throughout.  Myles even quit singing at times so the crowd could just sing.

    Myles said this was a special crowd and that he didn’t want to leave at one point because he and the band were having so much fun.

    Again, nights like this are what it’s all about for me.

    I wish I could just go to concerts because I’m most happy at those.

    In fact, during Sevendust’s set, Lajon said to the crowd “thank you for making me happy”.

    Well right back at him and everyone of the bands:  Thank you for making me happy!!

    This is what I live for.

    Thank you so much.

     

    Alter Bridge Band Members:

    • Myles Kennedy (Vocals/Guitar)
    • Mark Tremonti (Guitar/Vocals)
    • Brian Marshall (Bass)
    • Scott Phillips (Drums)

    Sevendust Band Members:

    • Lajon Witherspoon (Vocals)
    • Clint Lowery (Guitar/Vocals)
    • John Connoly (Guitar/Vocals)
    • Vince Hornsby (Bass)
    • Morgan Rose (Drums/Vocals)

    MJT Band Members:

    • David Godfrey (Vocals/Guitar)
    • Matt Godfrey (Keyboards)
    • Jordan Godfrey (Drums)

    Sevendust Set List:

    1. Face To Face
    2. Denial
    3. Crucified
    4. Karma
    5. Fence
    6. Disgrace
    7. Angel’s Son
    8. Black
    9. Everything 
    10. Shine

    Alter Bridge Set List:

    1. Silver Tongue
    2. Addicted To Pain
    3. Ghost of Days Gone By
    4. Broken Wings
    5. Burn It Down (Mark sings)
    6. Cry of Achilles
    7. Wonderful Life (Myles was not intending to sing this but he saw a sign in the audience and he said he would try his best to sing it.  Great surprise.)/Watch Over You (Myles singing solo with acoustic guitar)
    8. In Loving Memory (Myles sings and Mark plays acoustic guitar)
    9. Blackbird
    10. Come to Life
    11. Fable of the Silent Son
    12. Isolation
    13. Open Your Eyes
    14. Metalingus
    15. Encore:  Rise Today

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

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    Video Gallery (click on thumbnail to play video)

  • Blog,  Concerts

    The Seven Decades Tour: Jethro Tull Concert Review

    August 21 2023 / 16 Comments
    • Date of Concert: August 20, 2023
    • Location of Concert: The Rose Music Center at The Heights in Huber Heights, OH

    I’ve seen many concerts (I don’t know how many) in the last 25 years.

    I’ve seen most of my favorites.  However, there are still a few I have not seen.

    And Sunday night of August 20, 2023, this was another first for me.

    I finally saw Jethro Tull.

    Ian Anderson (Lead singer/Flute player/main songwriter/leader) is still putting out new albums (RokFlote came out earlier this year and I must say I really like it.), and his band are just so great.

    Some don’t like the band anymore because Ian’s vocal range is not what it used to be.  But I still think he sounds good and he’s found a range he’s comfortable with.  So I don’t have a problem with it.  He’s still giving it his all and seems to be having fun.  He’s a great performer.

    Lots of fun visuals, some good stories (Ian mentioned The Eagles’ song Hotel California as having some of the same chord changes in his song We Used To Know he wrote earlier than they did their song.  It was all in good fun, but I saw what he meant when I heard the solo.  Definitely similar.  Also, during We Used To Know, the font of the song title on the screen video looked like the Hotel California font.  Pretty funny.), and basically, everything I love about music and concerts in general.

    He and the band delivered.

    If you’re a fan, I recommend going to the show. 

    No openers, and two sets.

    Not that I meant to keep track but Set 1 started at 7:30 PM and ended at 8:20 PM.  They had a 20 minute intermission and then came back on from 8:40 PM to 9:34 PM.

    Very fun night.

    Keep on rocking Ian and the guys in Jethro Tull!!

    Jethro Tull Band Members:

    • Ian Anderson (Lead Vocals/Flute)-He also plays Guitar, Bouzouki, Mandolin, Harmonica, and writes most of the songs.
    • Joe Parrish (Guitar)
    • David Goodier (Bass/Double Bass)
    • John O'Hara (Orchestral Conductor/Piano/Keyboards/Accordian)
    • Scott Hammond (Drums/Percussion)

    Set Lists-Set 1:

    1. Nothing Is Easy
    2. We Used To Know
    3. Heavy Horses
    4. Sweet Dream
    5. Hunt By Numbers
    6. Holly Herald
    7. Hammer on Hammer
    8. Mine is the Mountain
    9. Bourree in E Minor (Johann Sebastian Bach Cover)

    Set 2:

    1. Farm on the Freeway
    2. The Navigators
    3. Pavane in F-Sharp Minor (Gabriel Faure Cover)
    4. The Zealot Gene
    5. Dark Ages
    6. Aqualung
    7. Encore:  Locomotive Breath

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

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    Video Gallery (click on thumbnail to play video)

  • Blog,  Concerts

    Can You Feel The Spirit? Ted Nugent Concert Review

    August 11 2023 / No Comments
    • Date of Concert: August 10, 2023
    • Location of Concert: The Rose Music Center at The Heights
    • Opener: Hillbilly Vegas

    Many people may not even read this post, but here it goes:

    I know this person is polarizing and controversial to many, but regardless of that (and I don’t disagree with those words I just said), I am a fan of Ted Nugent’s music and have been for many years.

    He has made many albums.  In the 1960s, he was guitarist of The Amboy Dukes and ultimately transitioned into being their leader/singer in the 1970s (they released quite a few albums and even had a hit with “Journey To The Center of the Mind).

    He then transitioned into being a solo artist in the mid 1970s, making several albums to this day.  He became known for such songs as Stranglehold, Hey Baby, Free For All, Cat Scratch Fever, and many more.  Many of these are still radio staples today. 

    During this time, he also was the lead guitarist of the band Damn Yankees, who made two very good albums in the 1980s and 1990s, scoring hits with the songs “High Enough”, “Coming of Age”, and “Where You Goin’ Now”.

    And let me preface what else I’m going to say with this:  I’ve always been a music fan.  However, when I became a teenager, I became a bigger music fan, and got into so many bands/artists and their discographies.  Even started going to see them, which I never thought of doing before.

    During this time, Ted Nugent was one of the artists I became aware of and I really liked his music and his over the top personality.

    Now was I aware that some of the things he said/says and believed/believes were/are controversial and offensive to some or even many?  Yes.

    But did that stop me from liking his music?  No.

    I may not agree with everything he says, but you know what?  I don’t agree with everything anyone says.  No one agrees with everyone on everything.  That’s just life.

    So having said all of that, I saw Ted Nugent in concert last night for the first time in many years (I’d seen him in 2000 and 2001) with opening band Hillbilly Vegas in support.

    Hillbilly Vegas are a rock and roll band from Oklahoma that I honestly had never heard of until recently.  But, they were pretty good.  Just fun rock and roll, which I love.  They played for 30 minutes.

    Then, 30 minutes after they were done, Uncle Ted (his nickname by fans) arrived and really rocked the house for about an hour and 35 or 40 minutes.

    Ted I believe has always been a great performer, always has a great band, and for me, the music is what always counts.  

    Again, I don’t agree with everything he says, but it doesn’t stop me from buying his albums and liking his music.

    Yes, I did not go see him for many years, but it was mainly because I was seeing sooooo many other bands/artists that I didn’t have the time.  It wasn’t because I didn’t want to see him on other tours.

    OK this is definitely one of my longest posts and I feel as if people are going to hate me because I like this man’s music or say something negative.

    I’m sorry if I offend anyone by saying that I love Ted’s music, but that’s the way it is.

    I don’t want this blog to be negative, political, or anything bad in general.

    I want this to be fun, and I’m just reporting my experiences about the things I love.

    But in short, I had a great time at the show.

    Ted always rocks and I’ll always be a fan.

    No apologies for that.

    Ted Nugent Band Members:

    • Ted Nugent: Lead Vocals/Guitar
    • Johnny Schoen (Bass)
    • Jason Hartless (Drums)

    Ted Nugent Set List:

    1. Star Spangled Banner (played on guitar)
    2. Gonzo
    3. Stormtroopin’
    4. Paralyzed
    5. Motor City Madhouse
    6. Free-For-All
    7. Snakeskin Cowboys
    8. Wang Dang Sweet Poontang
    9. Hey Baby
    10. I Can’t Take It
    11. Good Friends and a Bottle of Wine (featuring snippets of his instrumentals Homebound, Free Flight, Sunrize, Earthtones, Winterspring Summerfall)
    12. Fred Bear
    13. Cat Scratch Fever
    14. Stranglehold
    15. Encore:  Great White Buffalo (with some of Spirit of the Wild)

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

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    Video Gallery (click on thumbnail to play video)

  • Blog,  Concerts

    “Breaking The Chains” Dokken/Lynch Mob Concert Review

    August 6 2023 / No Comments
    • Date of Concert: August 5, 2023
    • Location of Concert: Smuggler's Run in Wyandotte, MI
    • Opener: Kamenar

    I FINALLY got to see Dokken members Don Dokken (vocals) and George Lynch (guitar) together!!!!

    It wasn’t until the end of the show, but it was worth it.

    Their respective bands Dokken and Lynch Mob have been doing shows together for the past few years and this was one of them.

    I saw them in Michigan.

    Opening band was a twin brother duo called Kamenar.  One is the singer/guitarist (he has the bass playing from a pedal), and the other is the drummer.  They’re from Tampa, Florida.  All original songs, except for two covers (one of which was a song from Aerosmith’s last album, which I was impressed they did).  Pretty good rock band.  

    Then, the night really started rocking even more when Lynch Mob took the stage. 

    George has had many lineups over the years, but currently, his band includes singer Gabriel Colon (phenomenal singer), bassist Jaron Gulino, and drummer Jimmy D’Anda.

    George is one of my favorite guitarists of all time, and he is still ripping it up.  He’s got a great band and I look forward to their new album, which comes out in October, according to the singer.  It’s called Babylon.

    In fact, one new song they played went over so well that George was so blown away that he asked the crowd if they wanted to hear another new song.  They did, and so the band played another new song.  I love that.  I’m a fan that wants to hear and buy new music.  Yeah the old stuff is great, but to me, bands are supposed to make music, not just rely on the hits.  Great to see.

    They were very loud and kicked some serious butt.

    Then later on, Dokken took the stage and rocked even harder and louder.  My ears actually hurt at one point, but I wouldn’t want it any other way.

    Founder/lead singer/namesake Don Dokken has a phenomenal band that includes guitarist Jon Levin, bassist Chris McCarvill, and drummer BJ Zampa.

    They played roughly an hour and 45 minutes and even though they did not play any new music, Don did talk about their upcoming album, Heaven Comes Down, which will be out in a few months.

    They really kicked butt too, and for hardcore Dokken fans like myself, as great and fun as the show was by then, the best was saved for last when George (who played guitar for Dokken for many years) came back on and played the last three songs with the band.

    As much as I wanted to see everyone, that was what I wanted to see the most. 

    I’ve been hoping to see a classic Dokken reunion (it’s happened a few times but I never got to see it) and at this point, this was as close as I’m going to get (former bassist Jeff Pilson is in the band Foreigner and drummer “Wild” Mick Brown is retired). 

    But that’s ok because I at least saw Don and George together and I have seen Jeff with Foreigner and saw Mick when he was still in Dokken.

    Don told lots of stories and he and the band seemed to have a great time.  And the fans loved every second it seemed.

    It was what a rock show is supposed to be.

    Another great one for me.

    More shows coming.

    Lynch Mob band members:

    • George Lynch (Guitar)
    • Jimmy D'Anda (Drums)
    • Jaron Gulino (Bass)
    • Gabriel Colon (Vocals)

    Lynch Mob Set List:

    1. 21st Century Man
    2. River of Love
    3. For In a Million Years
    4. Hell Child
    5. Time After Time (New Song)
    6. Synner (New Song)
    7. Street Fightin’ Man
    8. Wicked Sensation

    Dokken Band Members:

    • Don Dokken (Vocals)
    • Jon Levin (Guitar)
    • Chris McCarvill (Bass)
    • BJ Zampa (Drums)

    Dokken Setlist:

    1. Kiss of Death
    2. The Hunter
    3. Don’t Close Your Eyes
    4. Into The Fire
    5. Breaking The Chains
    6. Dream Warriors
    7. Just Got Lucky
    8. Alone Again
    9. Paris is Burning
    10. Too High To Fly
    11. It’s Not Love
    12. In My Dreams
    13. Unchain The Night (with George Lynch)
    14. When Heaven Comes Down (with George Lynch)
    15. Tooth and Nail (with George Lynch)

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

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    Video Gallery (click on thumbnail to play video)