Anyone growing up in the 70’s and 80’s will tell you one of their favorite albums of all time was Breakfast in America by Supertramp. In a day when albums and 8 tracks were the medium of sound, listening from beginning to end was common place. No skipping occurred, no downloading of one song only. You would sit and listen to the entire album and learn all the songs on the album from start to finish, and the artists paid close attention to this when arranging and choosing songs for the album. Breakfast in America was one of these albums, and the flow from song to song still is just as vivid in our memories. The talent of the group and the voice of Roger Hodgson was unforgettable, and it is with much anticipation and joy that we are able to welcome Hodgson to the Turning Stone Casino in Verona, NY on October 8, 2017. One of the founding members of Supertramp, Hodgson penned and performed hits such as “The Logical Song,” “Dreamer,” “Breakfast in America” and “Take the Long Way Home” to name a few. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Turning Stone webpage, with special packages and upgrades available. Hope to see you all there.
Tag: Turning Stone Casino Showroom
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Mandolins Raining Bluegrass at Turning Stone with Ricky Skaggs and Bruce Hornsby
Sometimes some of the most unusual pairings become the sweetest combinations. That is exactly what happens when you combine Grammy award winners Bruce Hornsby and Ricky Skaggs. Ten years ago the two came together by happenstance and after discovering how appealing this union was, their marriage of sounds continues to please all that have the opportunity to hear it.
Collaborating on a combined album ten years ago fittingly named, Ricky Skaggs and Bruce Hornsby they debunked all nay sayers who insisted the piano and bluegrass combo didn’t gel. With breakneck upbeat tempos on piano, Hornsby keeps the fire going as Skaggs shreds the mandolin and guitar with lightning speed. Finishing up their spring tour at the Turning Stone Showroom on Sunday, March 5, Skaggs, Hornsby and their band Kentucky Thunder wowed the crowds from start to finish.
Kentucky Thunder, Skaggs’ tour band, includes Paul Brewster (tenor vocals, rhythm guitar), Scott Mulvahill (bass, bass vocals), Russ Carson (banjo), Jake Workman (lead guitar), Mike Barnett (fiddle) and Dennis Parker (baritone vocals, guitar). With front men Skaggs and Hornsby leading the surge, the sound explosion rocks the crowd each and every time they hit the stage. The songs chosen for the setlist showcased the skills and talents of each and every one of them. This group performance had the feeling of a mountainous jam session despite the bright lights of the Showroom. The packed crowd couldn’t contain themselves as they clapped and moved in their seats with each tune all night long.
As the show ended and the crowds dispersed, those who stuck around had the ultimate pleasure of meeting the legendary Ricky Skaggs. Hornsby who unfortunately had a flight to catch couldn’t stay, but Skaggs took the time to sign and take photographs with each and every fan. I couldn’t help but fangirl over this legend. Growing up outside of Nashville, the music of the Opry and the stars that shine brightly on that stage become part of your culture. They are family, and Ricky Skaggs is a patriarch to that family. To meet this legend was huge. It was the grace and humility demonstrated by Ricky Skaggs that evening that proved that country music is more than just music, it’s the common thread that unifies us. In this chaotic life we lead, to stop and enjoy music as we did this evening is what it’s all about.
Setlist: How Mt. Girls, Toy Heart, Bluegrass Breakdown, Darlin Corey, The Way It Is, Spoon, Ceili, I’m A People, Blue Night, Columbus Stockade, 20/20 Vision, Sally Jo/Maggie, Uncle Pen, Rawhide. Encore: Heard My Mother
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Gary Allan Brings Classic Country Sounds Back to Turning Stone
Gary Allan isn’t your typical mainstream country musician. Allan’s roots are firmly planted in a classic country soil, and the southern California and Bakersfield influence is apparent in his music and compositions.
Performing to a sold out crowd at The Turning Stone Casino, Allan’s abilities to seamlessly switch gears on stage from an upbeat tempo to ballad is effortless. Backed by one of the most talented bands I’ve seen recently, the setlist showcased their skills perfectly. Between Allan’s ruggedly sexy voice and the band’s ability to lull you in with each tune, you fall in love with this show a little more as each song is performed.
Playing popular hits such as “Song About Rain,” “Airplanes,” “Do You Wish It Was Me,” and “Best I Ever Had,” although comfortable and welcoming, it wasn’t the popular songs that struck a chord in me. It was the classic sound, the Bakersfield rockabilly, and rock-based tunes that made me sit up and take notice of this ensemble. Songs like “Guys Like Me” with a heavy slide guitar, and “Man of Me” that featured piano, fiddle, slide guitar, and heavy percussion and guitar blew me away. While “Half of My Mistake” and “Smoke Rings In the Dark” showcased a definite southern California sound with a little Tex-Mex/Bakersfield sound mixed within.
In a generation of new country sounds, it was refreshing to hear a classic country sound like “Nothing On But the Radio” and “It Would Be You.” His new music on Set You Free truly stands out to me. The honesty of the lyrics, the deliverance of the emotions with songs like “It Ain’t The Whiskey,” and the super sultry sexy “Sand in My Soul” truly draws you in and makes you fall in love with this album.
Further reflecting his classic country sound were covers such as “Her Man,” by Waylon Jennings, and “Fast As You,” a Dwight Yoakum favorite, highlighted the smoldering country and Bakersfield sounds that are slowly making their way back in to mainstream country today.
Allan is true class and classic at the same time. With songs like “Learning How to Bend,” he demonstrates his talent in songwriting and performance. He has a way of drawing you in to his songs where they become your life. That’s a gift. Perhaps it’s because of the honesty in his music. He doesn’t march to the beat of popular tides, he’s true to his roots and to his sound. You feel his music because he feels his music.
The stand out performance of the evening was “Get Off on the Pain.” The honesty in which Allan delivers this song cranks it up to over drive and he leaves it all on stage with that number.
Closing out the show with “Drinking Dark Whiskey,” this Chris Stapleton, Mike Henderson number, once again highlighted Allan’s classic country sound and the tide that country music is to turning to today. With a new album on the horizon, it is my prediction we have yet to see the best of Gary Allan. This ever evolving musician has just begun to make his mark on the country music stage.
Setlist: Tough All Over, Radio, Man to Man, Guys Like Me, Do you Wish It Was Me, Smoke Rings, Sand in my Soul, It Ain’t the Whiskey, Half of My Mistakes, Her Man (Waylon Jennings cover)It Would Be you, Get Off on the Pain, Song About Rain, Airplanes, Learning How to Bend, Life Ain’t Always Beatuitful, Best I Ever Had, Man of Me, Right Where I Need to Be.
Encore: Every Storm, Fast As You (Dwight Yokam cover), Drinking Dark Whiskey (Chris Stapleton/Mike Henderson cover)
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