100. BOOTS RANDOLPH
May 17, 1994
Closing Night
Boots Randolph Dinner Theater
Printer's Alley
Nashville, Tennessee
On May 17, 1994, I was in Nashville (staying at the Opryland Hotel) with several hundred company sales people for a three-day sales meeting. The company hosted a large group event at the Boots Randolph Dinner Theater in Printer's Alley. When the buses pulled up to the front entrance, Boots Randolph met each one of us personally and then seated us. It soon dawned on me that we were the only ones there. As dinner concluded, Boots took the stage with his band and put on a rambunctious show that concluded with his big hit Yakety Sax. Then he announced to all of us that it was his final show. He was closing the restaurant that night. One of our sales guys shouted, "What are you going to do with the leftover booze?" Boots retorted, "Oh hell, let's drink it!" Which we did ... while he played his entire set over again. I think I heard Yakety Sax at least four times that night. And as we were leaving, Boots signed and handed each of us one of his leather-covered menus. A truly unforgettable night.
"2003 Forest Park Concert Series"
August 11, 2003
Forest Park Bandshell
August 11, 2003
Forest Park Bandshell
New York City
Jesse McCartney was a major hearthrob for my daughter, Michelle, beginning with his time with the singing group Dream Street. She had posters of him on every wall of her bedroom. She was determined to meet him one day, and when a concert in New York City was announced, concurrent with our family vacation there, she begged us to go. So we did.
We took a cab from Times Square to the Forest Park Bandshell in Queens. We walked up, and there he was, doing a soundcheck. I started to film it, when a lady came up and asked us to stop. It was his mother, Ginger. We struck up a conversation, telling her that we had driven all the way from Michigan to she her son. She was honestly shocked and told us that she would make sure to have Jesse meet Michelle.
When the concert concluded, Ginger placed us among the first in line for a meet and greet. Jesse not only spoke with and signed for her, he also gave her a hug and posed for a great photo. It was an unforgettable moment for sure!!
98. KALAMAZOO RIBFEST
August 2000-2008
"Rockabillaque 2023"
A near-perfect afternoon was spent in the parking lot packed with gleaming metal of all sorts. The massive crowd of mostly old white men with gray beards and their women, many dressed as Lucy Ricardo, celebrated Americana in the warm sunshine … eating pulled pork and brisket with Bud Light. Music from the stage was often drowned out by the sound of Harleys revving.
"An Evening With John Denver Tour"
August 7, 1974
Blossom Music Center
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
SETLIST:
The Music Is You
Farewell Andromeda
Mother Nature's Son
Summer
Today
Saturday Night In Toledo, Ohio
Matthew
Rocky Mountain Suite
Sweet Surrender
Grandma's Feather Bed
Annie's Song
The Eagle & The Hawk
My Sweet Lady
Annie's Other Song
Boy From The Country
Rhymes And Reasons
Forest Lawn
Pickin' The Sun Down
Thank God I'm A Country Boy
Take Me Home Country Roads
Poems, Prayers, And Promises
Rocky Mountain High
September 10, 2023
Setlist from 1964 The Tribute
"Don't Look Back Tour"
"Big Dog Daddy Tour"
September 12, 2007
MIRANDA LAMBERT SETLIST:
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
New Strings
Dry Town
Gunpowder And Lead
Desperation
Me And Charlie Talking
Famous In A Small Town
Highway Hillbilly
Travelin' Band
Kerosene
TOBY KEITH SETLIST:
Big Dog Daddy
Honky Tonk U
Stays In Mexico
I'm Just Talkin' About Tonight
High Maintenance Woman
Get Drunk And Be Somebody
The No No Song
Whiskey Girl
I Wanna Talk About Me
Love Me If You Can
You Shouldn't Kiss Me Like This
Who's Your Daddy
As Good As I Once Was
Should Have Been A Cowboy
Weed With Willie
Beer For My Horses
How Do You Like Me Know
A Little Less Talk And A Lot More Action
American Soldier
Courtesy Of The Red, White And Blue
Arcadia Creek Festival Place
Kalamazoo, Michigan
The Kalamazoo Ribfest was launched as a community fundraiser in 1988. I attended several of the concerts between 2000-2008.
The most memorable ribfest concerts I attended were Eddie Money, Survivor, and Loverboy. Standing arms-length from the bandshell stage, I could see Loverboy's Mike Reno hanging in the wings, with two shirts on in ninety degree weather. He was leaning on a crate as we overheard him tell someone that he had twisted his ankle playing golf that morning. Once on stage, the band's bassist had somehow acquired a huge plate of ribs and set it on top of a Marshall stack. All through the gig, even while playing, he hammered those ribs. The crowd, nearing 8,000 people on that night, cheered hilariously at the sight of these paunchy dudes gimpin' and rockin' ... and ribbin'.
97. SQUIRREL NUT ZIPPERS
January 21, 2023
Seminole Casino Parking Lot
Immokalee, Florida
Seminole Casino Parking Lot
Immokalee, Florida
The phone rang. It was my bud, Craig. He was imploring me to come to the 2023 Rockabillaque Festival. The event was a combination biker/hot rod show (and general celebration of the good old days). In addition to the most original beard and tattoo contests, was live music by local rock and roller garage bands. The Saturday night headliner, however, was an act called the Squirrel Nut Zippers. Craig was incredibly fired up to see them.
I had heard of the Squirrel Nut Zippers, but had no idea of who they were or what kind of music they played. Why not? It was free! So we jumped into the car and headed to Immokalee.
A near-perfect afternoon was spent in the parking lot packed with gleaming metal of all sorts. The massive crowd of mostly old white men with gray beards and their women, many dressed as Lucy Ricardo, celebrated Americana in the warm sunshine … eating pulled pork and brisket with Bud Light. Music from the stage was often drowned out by the sound of Harleys revving.
The Zippers were scheduled to go on at seven, but the Miss Rockabillaque Contest ran long and the band couldn’t do a soundcheck until the contestants vacated the stage.
Watching the band tune up with an amazing array of instruments including fiddles, ukuleles, harmonica, banjo, trumpet, sax, and oboe was a performance in and of itself. It was clear that this band was about to give us something special.
The Zippers' amazing seventy minute set was as enthusiastic and entertaining as a vaudeville show. Even if I only recognized one song, it was a blast. I would describe their music as Brian Setzer meets Manhattan Transfer meets the B-52s. Their excellent musicianship and their comic showmanship were old fashioned show-biz at its best! It was one of those little gigs that exceeded all expectations!
Violinist Andrew Bird ended the show by wryly blurting "Alright Rockabillaque!! You wanted the best ... you got the Squirrel Nut Zippers!!"
96. JOHN DENVER
"An Evening With John Denver Tour"August 7, 1974
Blossom Music Center
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
Sitting in the 'grass seats' took on a whole new meaning at this show, the first major concert I ever attended. I was fourteen years old. I can't really recall who took me, but I do remember a funny smell all during the show, sort of a 'sweet-funky-smoky' stench.
John Denver was in great form. He was at his peak musically, with back-to-back number one songs in the country on the Billboard charts at the time - Sunshine On My Shoulders and Annie's Song. His mellow demeanor and cheerful acoustic songs helped create a wonderfully bucolic evening.
This was an important show for Denver because it was his last dress rehearsal before heading out to the Universal Amphitheater in Los Angeles to record An Evening With John Denver, one of the biggest selling live albums of all time.
SETLIST:
The Music Is You
Farewell Andromeda
Mother Nature's Son
Summer
Today
Saturday Night In Toledo, Ohio
Matthew
Rocky Mountain Suite
Sweet Surrender
Grandma's Feather Bed
Annie's Song
The Eagle & The Hawk
My Sweet Lady
Annie's Other Song
Boy From The Country
Rhymes And Reasons
Forest Lawn
Pickin' The Sun Down
Thank God I'm A Country Boy
Take Me Home Country Roads
Poems, Prayers, And Promises
Rocky Mountain High
This Old Guitar
95. 1964 THE TRIBUTE (and other Fake Beatles groups)
Key West Theater
Key West, Florida
February 21, 2003
State Theatre
Kalamazoo, Michigan
March 5, 2019
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
Sarasota, Florida
On September 10-11, 1964, the Beatles made an unscheduled stop in Key West, Florida, when Hurricane Dora threatened their concert at the Gator Bowl and Brian Epstein smartly arranged for them to stay overnight at the AAA-rated Key Wester Motel near the airport.
On the evening of the 10th, the Beatles played an impromptu concert beside the pool, which became a near-mythical jam-session when local musicians Clarence "Frogman" Henry, The Bill Black Combo, The Exciters, and Coffee Butler joined them.
The event ended at 4:00 am on the 11th when the police pulled the plug due to city noise ordinances. Severely hungover, the Beatles flew on to Jacksonville and performed at the Gator Bowl later that day ... and their brief visit to Key West became the stuff of legend.
Fifty-nine years later, on September 10, 2023, the Beatles returned to Key West to celebrate the anniversary of their stay. They hadn't aged a bit since 1964!!
I've seen several variations of fake Beatles over the years (Rain, Sixty-Four, Beatlemania, British Invasion, and even a Norweigian Cruise Ship version of the Beatles). We saw the same "1964" in Kalamazoo at the State Theatre in 2003. One of the members in 2003 was still a member in 2023 ... he had been Beatle John Lennon longer than John Lennon was!!
I have to admit that it is slightly embarrassing to tell outsiders that I attend these gigs, because there's always a little twinge of 'weird' about them. Of course, there's also that uniquely uncomfortable moment when four pudgy old dudes with black wigs stroll out pretending to be the fab four.
But once you get past the cringe factor and the music starts, it suddenly doesn't matter. The music is universal, and when it’s performed well, it's excellent!! These guys were very good. Focusing on early Beatles material, they played non-stop hits with all the energy and mannerisms of the originals. If you're lucky, they're able to create those brief moments when the mind lets go and imagines it is the real thing ...
... that's why everyone comes in the first place.
performance at Key West Theater
94. BOSTON / SAMMY HAGAR
"Don't Look Back Tour"October 21, 1978
St. John Arena
Columbus, Ohio
St. John Arena
Columbus, Ohio
It had been a long drive from Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio to Columbus. I hooked up with a couple of Ohio State buddies for a few beers along High Street before heading over to St. John Arena for the concert. Unfortunately, it was 'bucket night' and turned out to be more than a few beers at Papa Joes.
Sammy Hagar opened the show as we continued our celebrations. He blew the roof off the place, both vocally and with three screaming guitarists.
By the time Boston took the stage, we were in pretty bad shape. Making matters worse, the arena was like an echo chamber. Try to imagine a twenty-minute Tom Scholz synthesizer solo inside a large concrete box. When we walked out, we all had roaring headaches. But damn, Peace Of Mind was good!!
SAMMY HAGAR SETLIST:
Red
Rock And Roll Weekend
Make It Last
I've Done Everything For You
Bad Motor Scooter
Cruisin' And Boozin'
Rock Candy
Gimme Some Lovin'
BOSTON SETLIST:
Rock & Roll Band
Shattered Images
Peace Of Mind
Something About You
The Man I'll Never Be
Smokin'
Foreplay/Long Time
Don't Be Afraid
More Than A Feeling
Television Politician
93. ALABAMA
Opryland USA
May 18, 1994
Nashville, Tennessee
This was clearly a case of not knowing how important a concert was until long afterward. I was in Nashville for a company sales meeting and the entire group was taken by bus to Opryland USA, an amusement park built next to the Gaylord Opryland Hotel. We were escorted to a large outdoor seating area in front of bandshell. I asked somebody who we were going to see, and he said Alabama. I had only vaguely heard of the group, and assumed they were some hayseed country band.
Boy, was I wrong. There was no twang at all, and I recognized almost everything they sang. Their lead singer, Randy Owens, had a compelling presence and a full, rich-sounding voice. Their harmonies were incredibly tight.
It took me decades to realize that I had witnessed one of the great bands in country music. Now, I am very glad I did!
92. BRIAN WILSON / AL JARDINE / BLONDIE CHAPLIN
"The Christmas Album Live"
December 11, 2018
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
Sarasota, Florida
We were excited to see Brian Wilson again. This time in Sarasota. And we thought that he might bring us into the holidays withsome fun music. However, while waiting in the Van Wezel lobby for the show to begin, a woman wearing a "Brian Wilson Backstage" sticker erupted from behind a door and whispered worriedly to her husband, "He's having a bad day."
The concert began promisingly, with an enthusiastic performance of Little Saint Nick. But it was soon apparent that Brian was not feeling merry. For most of the concert, Brian remained motionless, like a buddha, behind his piano at center stage. He did not sing. He did not play. He frequently took swigs from a nearby bottle of water while his band quickly ripped through the set. The other musicians, including Al Jardine and Blondie Chaplin, tried to keep things going, but it was clear to everyone (other than the fanatics) that Brian was done.
The second half of the concert turned to Beach Boys classics, and Brian seemed to show some life. He was fully-engaged during God Only Knows and Good Vibrations, to which the crowd reciprocated with standing ovations, perhaps hoping to send a signal to the musical savant that they appreciated being in his presence.
The concert was worthwhile because it got us into the Christmas spirit. But barely.
Brian Wilson Presents:
"The Christmas Album Live"
Setlist ...
91. TOBY KEITH / MIRANDA LAMBERT / FLYNNVILLE TRAIN
"Big Dog Daddy Tour"September 12, 2007
Allegan County Fair
Allegan, Michigan
When Toby Keith rolled into the Allegan County Fairgrounds (for the fifth time in six years), he had already achieved fame not only for his testosterone-influenced bar anthems, but also for an ongoing rabble with the Dixie Chicks. He had a built a solid reputation as a dude with an attitude. His opening act, Miranda Lambert, was earning a similar reputation as one of the hot up-and-coming acts in country music.
Miranda played a short but intense set that included her hits Kerosene and Gun Powder & Lead to a sold out crowd (sitting on folding chairs on the dirt track of the Allegan County Fairgrounds). She was rough, and tough, and lacked finesse. Still, the crowd fed off of her hard-edged energy, and appreciated every minute of her performance. She was definitely going places.
On the other hand, Toby walked out emotionally flat, and played a didactic set, ninety minutes in length. No encore. No interaction with the crowd. Yeah, he played all the hits, but his mind seemed somewhere else. When he sang As Good As I Once Was, it sounded like he was singing it for real.
MIRANDA LAMBERT SETLIST:
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
New Strings
Dry Town
Gunpowder And Lead
Desperation
Me And Charlie Talking
Famous In A Small Town
Highway Hillbilly
Travelin' Band
Kerosene
TOBY KEITH SETLIST:
Big Dog Daddy
Honky Tonk U
Stays In Mexico
I'm Just Talkin' About Tonight
High Maintenance Woman
Get Drunk And Be Somebody
The No No Song
Whiskey Girl
I Wanna Talk About Me
Love Me If You Can
You Shouldn't Kiss Me Like This
Who's Your Daddy
As Good As I Once Was
Should Have Been A Cowboy
Weed With Willie
Beer For My Horses
How Do You Like Me Know
A Little Less Talk And A Lot More Action
American Soldier
Courtesy Of The Red, White And Blue