Hello Everybody....

Here are my thoughts:

1. Preshow get together: It was really great seeing some of our old friends again and meeting some new Roadkillers, including Bruzer Jeff and his wrestling buddy, the ripper....they are good people to know especially when you want to move small crowds. There was a sound check at noon on Saturday, but I did not go because I didn't want to hear the new GFR before the show.

2. The Show: After Blue Oyster Cult got done making noise, we worked our way up to the stage area, and ended up about 10-15 feet in front dead center, thanks to some crowd control work by the larger Roadkillers, like Rayrod, Big Al, and the Bear. Here's the set list:

Rock and Roll Soul
Footstompin' Music
Walk Like a Man
Heartbreaker
Shinin' On
Second Chance (by Max)
Locomotion
Mean Mistreater
Rollin' and Tumblin'
Inside Looking Out
One More River (by Max (from new Jeff Daniels movie))
Some Kind of Wonderful
Bad Time
I'm Your Captain
We're an American Band
Rock and Roll Music

The show opened with R'n'R Soul; Max's mic was dead, so Bruce motioned for him to use his mic. From the opening notes I was impressed with how fresh and clean the band sounded. I have never, never, never seen Mel enjoy himself so much...moving, smiling, jamming with the others...it was really refreshing. All the sounds sounded great and Bruce is one hell of a guitar player....his solo on Inside Looking Out was totally awesome. The drum thing, Rollin' and Tumblin' was very different because it has all the band members playing a percussion instrument, and to see Mel banging on the conga, was a real treat. One more River was really a nice tune, and in my opinion, has the potential for getting air play.
There were a few tunes that featured Max on the flute; OK, I guess, but I wouldn't be crushed if they dropped it out. Max's vocals were very good.
WAAB was totally up front and in your face....the best I've heard it done.
Tim came up front and was featured on vocals and the organ for the encore, which was Rock and Roll Music by Seger....this rendition totally rocked the house and the crowd was loving every minute of it....Rock and Roll Music...Grand Funk style.

3. After The Show: Afterwards we all got to meet the new members of the band, and I will say this, Bruce, Max and Tim are three of the nicest people I have ever met. It was like we knew them for years.

4. Final Thoughts: Another weekend we'll never forget. I think everybody was wondering what the new GFR would sound like, well....we found out...they sound friggin' great....all I can say is, go see them, you will not be disappointed.

Jimmy G.