On June 27, 2018, Michael McDonald, brought the Wide Open Tour 2018 to Atlanta Botanical Garden.
TAM Photographer Chuck Holloway was on hand to capture the evening.
For more tour dates, visit McDonalds’s website at https://www.michaelmcdonald.com/
Michael McDonald Wide Open Tour 2018
On May 19, 2018, Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers brought their co-headlining tour to the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Alpharetta, Georgia.
TAM Photographer Chuck Holloway was on hand to capture the evening for us all.
For more tour dates, visit the Steely Dan or The Doobie Brothers websites.
Photo Gallery – Steely Dan
Photo Gallery – The Doobie Brothers
“Is everybody HAPPY?”
Yes, Ross Valory, bass player from the classic rock band Journey, I think every one of the 12,000+ people that you are standing in front of are happy. Happy that after 42 years together, one of America’s greatest rock bands is still going strong. Touring the US on another of their “San Francisco-fest” tour packages (this time around with The Doobie Brothers), the ageless quintet Journey put on another seemingly effortless show at Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood.
When you have achieved the level of success and have the back catalog that Journey has, you don’t need a new album to build a tour around, you can just tour. Build it and they will come, to quote a phrase. The set list included almost every song off of their Greatest Hits release, an album that has achieved platinum status 15 times over. “Separate Ways (World’s Apart),” “Be Good To Yourself” and “Only The Young” kicked off the night off, sparking many in the crowd to sing along.
Now in his ninth year as lead singer, Arnel Pineda sounded fantastic. He’s added some of his own personality into more well known tracks like “Faithfully” and “Open Arms,” and effortlessly hit the soaring, ethereal vocal flourish during Neil Schon’s guitar break in “Wheel In The Sky.” The guy is just a phenomenal singer.
This tour marks also the return of long-time drummer Steve Smith, who was behind the kit during the band’s most successful period back in the 80s. The novelty of his return must still be fresh in his bandmate’s minds. Keyboardist Jonathan Cain snuck out on stage during Smith’s solo to snap a few pictures.
Despite the popularity of the band’s ballads, they haven’t forgotten that they are a rock band at heart. Led by guitarist and founder Neil Schon, the band steamrolled their way through more rocking tracks like “Line of Fire,” “Any Way You Want It” and the rollicking “La Do Da,” with Schon’s soloing all over it. The bluesy “Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’” ended the night, with the entire crowd, hands in air, singing along to the “Naah nah na naaah nah na” section at the end.
If you’re a fan of this band and have never seen them perform live before, my only question would be “why not?” Live rock ‘n’ roll doesn’t get much better than this.
Peter Frampton
With a retro, soulful swagger Matthew Curry took the stage and made it his own when the guitar enthusiast opened for Peter Frampton and The Doobie Brothers at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre on Thursday July 17. With Curry’s dynamic presence and blues heart he played songs off his Electric Religion and If I Don’t Have You albums. Curry’s sound is very reminiscent of a young Johnny Lang, both mature beyond their years. Curry performed “Love Me Right,” “Set Me Free,” “Storm’s A Brewing,” “If I Don’t Got You” and ended with “Down the Line.”
Matthew Curry
Peter Frampton took the stage next with nothing but a smile as he enchanted the crowd. There is nothing like seeing Frampton live, absolutely nothing. His energy is evanescent as he not only commands the stage, but at the same time he has the audience on the edge of their seats as he highlights and showcases his raw talent. With images of the past scroll across the backdrop screen alternate with psychedelic patterns.
This living rock god delighted all ages with his hits as fans recorded everything from snippets of their favorite songs to the entire show on their phones and iPads. Frampton’s ease on the stage is easily seen as he enraptured the thrall of fans, getting them up out of their seats clapping and hollering at the end of each song. Frampton even egged the crowd on by saying “this is fun (pause). Are we doing okay for you?” Frampton even gets cheeky with the crowd as he discussed about having a tailgate smoking party and even asking if it’s legal in this state, all the while chuckling.
Peter Frampton
Frampton started the night off with “You Had to Be There” then transitioned into “Doobie Wah,” “Lines on My Face,” “Show Me the Way,” “(I’ll Give You) Money,” “Black Hole Sun” (Soundgarden cover), “Baby I Love Your Way,” the highly infectious “Do You Feel Like We Do” and ended on the powerfully evocative “While My Guitar Gently Weeps (The Beatles cover).
The Doobie Brothers
The Doobie Brothers wrapped the night up as they took stage and made it their own as the ‘70s rock band revitalized it’s hits and made them golden again, as they played “Jesus is Just Right” (The Art Reynolds Singers cover), “ Rockin’ Down the Highway,” “Dependin’ On You,” “World Gone Crazy,” “Neal’s Fandango,” “South City Midnight Lady,” “Eyes of Silver,” “Takin’ It to the Streets,” “Don’t Start Me Talkin’” (Sonny Boy Williamson cover w/Peter Frampton), “Black Water, “ “Long Train Runnin,” “China Grove, “ “Road Angel” and ended with “Listen to the Music.” It was like a musical tapestry, all the hooks, choruses and chords coming together to create a perfect evening at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre.
This is a show that I would want to see again. Highly entertaining from start to finish.
