We had a nice turnout last summer for "Bruce in the USA" and lots of
people told me and my wife how much they enjoyed the show so this
year we thought we would go one better and work with Dave May and the
Poncan Theater to help put on a summer series of classic rock with three great shows in the "Second Annual Classic Rock Summer Tribute Series" at the Poncan Theater in Ponca City.
Larry Murphy, my high school classmate from Po-Hi '67 and his brother Bill Murphy of I-Deal Auto Sales have joined with me and my wife to co-sponsor the series. We're going to have three top tribute bands: "1964" doing a tribute concert to the 1964 Beatles, "Bruce in the USA" reprising their 2007 appearance in Ponca City with a Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band tribute, and "Hotel California" with a tribute to the Eagles. "1964" will be appearing on June 6 in conjunction with "Dragging Grand." "Bruce in the USA" will be here for 4th of July weekend appearing on Saturday July 5, 2008. "Hotel California" will be appearing August 22.
I love a good tribute band, the operative word being "good." I don't have the cash, the contacts, or the patience to get a front row seat to the Rolling Stones or Led Zeppelin when they tour and the truth is that I don't really enjoy "arena rock" at my age. I love music in a club setting or a small theater as long as the band has excellent musicians who know and love the music. I'd rather have front row seats to see a good tribute band that can bring me back to the music of the 60's and 70's than see a "name band" from thirty-four rows back in a stadium.
Of the three bands that are coming, I have seen 1964 play twice at Ram's Head in Annapolis and they played in Ponca City two years ago. I have seen "Bruce in the USA" about five times now at Annapolis, the Recher Theater in Baltimore (where I took the pictures above) and in Ponca City last year. I haven't seen "Hotel California" yet but Bill Ware saw them play in Dallas and if Bill says they are good, that is enough for me.
Here's hoping that the series this summer is a success and we can make this an annual event. Call Dave May at the Poncan Theater at 580-765-0943 and reserve your tickets for the three concert series today.
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