If you are a regular reader, or a sometimes reader of my blog, you might notice that I am very dialed into music (as a listener, not a performer.) Most days I have background music playing in some capacity as I carry on about my business. Rob and I attend numerous concerts and visit local music haunts. I believe that music enhances mood, highlights events, and, as any conscientious movie watcher would agree, elevates themes while soundtracks pulse through various scenes. Music has the power to influence how people feel.
>>Side note: The absolute best movie soundtrack I have ever heard is from the gritty 1968 film Bullitt starring Steve McQueen and Robert Vaughn, music by Lalo Schifrin. I just now cued it up, and started nodding my head and tapping my feet, as we speak. Truth be told, I do skip over a few dud tracks, but the collection as a whole is one jazzy masterpiece. The movie Bullitt also contains the best car chase scenes in cinema. Check out the movie and/or the soundtrack. It’s a classic.
But, now, back to music.
Towards the end of 2025, Rob and I hit three concerts that we really enjoyed. Each falls into the category of “As Close As You Can Get...”
I shall explain. And, apologies for the poor video quality, camera angles, and abrupt cut-offs included here. Hopefully the video clips won't hang up. I'm still learning.
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We went with friends to see the Allman Betts Band Family Revival. The Allman Betts Band is led by Devon Allman (son of Gregg Allman) and Duane Betts (son of Dickey Betts). The fathers were founding members, vocalists, guitarists, and songwriters for the Allman Brothers Band. The sons continue the tradition as a tight-knit group who honor their fathers’ legacies. While creating and performing original music throughout the year, the Allman Betts Band hosts the Family Revival Tour at the end of the year, where they perform a vast playlist from the original Allman Brothers catalogue. If you love Allman Brothers music, this is the show for you.
The concert was awesome, with instrumentation and vocals that did justice to the original band. The musical genes shone through. It was almost as if we were listening to the actual Allman Brothers perform, which would be impossible today, seeing that their drummer is the only band member still alive. Watching the next generation salute their dads was the next best thing. “As Close As You Can Get…” Here's a short video.
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For years Rob and I talked about wanting to attend a concert at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN. We finally got our opportunity. Here we are 'neath the stained glass windows sitting on church pews in the iconic venue.
We joined along with a few thousand gray-haired fans to see The Four Tops and The Temptations in concert. That concert was a blast. Anything Motown is high energy, as to be expected. The performers gave it their all, and we, the audience, gave it back to them.
All the original Four Tops have passed on to that great recording studio in the sky, as recently as 2024. But, one son, Lawrence Peyton Jr. (age 65) carries on the family tradition. His cohorts ain’t no spring chickens, either. The Four Tops rocked the stage with their intricate dance moves and iconic songs. It’s the Same Old Song, But With a Different Meaning Since You Been Gone; Ain’t No Woman Like the One I Got; Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch, You Know That I Love You…..
In The Temptations, Otis Williams (age 84) is the only founding member still performing. Today's quintet has one youngin’ who sings bass, but the other singers flirt with senior citizenship. Most have been with the band for decades. That they can cavort around stage with synchronized dance moves is truly astounding. During the concert, band members were charming as they took multiple breaks to catch their breath, and shared stories about early Motown and the excitement generated in Detroit in the 1960s. They led the audience in sing-alongs and ensured we all had a wonderful time. It was an incredibly satisfying, feel-good concert experience. Here's a sampling. How can you not love these guys?
>>Side-note: Much of The Temptations musical success occurred in the 1960s. I went to college in a small rural setting in South Carolina in the late-70s/early-80s. Our school had a retro vibe, and we listened to what we called “Beach Music.” We went out and danced frequently. The Carolina Shag, the official State Dance of South Carolina, was a go-to activity. Think swing dancing with fancy footwork, turns, and pivots. Sure, we Disco danced to Donna Summer, the Bee Gees, et al., as much as the next guy. But, we shagged (danced, I mean) quite a bit. Shagging music was usually oldies throwback music. We shagged to Beach Music by The Tams, The Drifters, The Catalinas, Chairman of the Board, The Foundations, The Four Tops, The Temptations, and others. Most of those bands were not particularly current, they were a little bit “before our time.” But, their music was a mainstay in our entertainment pleasure. Hearing The Temptations sing Just My Imagination Running Away With Me; Ain’t Too Proud to Beg; The Way You Do the Things You Do; or My Girl (I’ve Got Sunshine On a Cloudy Day) swept me back to the dance floor of The Depot Bar in Greenwood, SC, circa 1980. Good times. Good times.
Hearing the current roster of musicians play The Four Tops hits and The Temptations chart-toppers was almost like stepping back in time to hear the OG. It was “As Close As You Can Get…”
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Hang in there with me….one more.
On recommendation from friends, Rob and I went to see Blackberry Smoke, a Southern Rock, fuzzy guitar, blended Americana sound band. Knowing literally none of their music beforehand, we were entertained, and we enjoyed their performance very much. Good melodies, good lyrics, expert instrumental skills. But, to me, the real star of the show was the band that preceded them on stage. Mike Campbell and the Dirty Knobs. The Dirty Knobs, with Mike Campbell-- guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter with Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers for over 40 years; Steve Ferrone-- drummer with The Heartbreakers; and a handful of other musicians presented original songs that blew us away. Mike Campbell, while a serious artist in his own right, sounded, dressed, and acted eerily like Tom Petty himself. Similar voices. I mean, it was uncanny. Not in a bad way. In a respectful way. As if he was forging his own path in vintage Petty style. It’s who he is.
The evening's highlight (a high which took me days to come down from) was the encore performance, featuring the Dirty Knobs and Blackberry Smoke together on stage, with Mike Campbell on lead guitar and vocals. The blended bands ripped through five Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers songs, full-on energy, laying it all out there. At the top of their game. With traces of Petty himself, Campbell carried the songs with gusto. Songs that he had written and performed for years. Because of his delivery, I felt like I was at a Tom Petty show. It was the most awesome thing ever. Hearing original band members perform iconic songs with trademark guitar riffs was “As Close As You Can Get...” For your listening pleasure...
>>Side note: I’m not a super fan or anything, but Tom Petty changed my attitude on life. For years, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers scheduled concerts here in Atlanta. We kept thinking that we would go to one of his concerts, but something always came up to prevent us from going. In 2017, after missing another Petty concert, Rob and I declared that next time he came to town, we would go to see him, no matter what. He was our top Wanna-See. (You know where this is going, right?) A few months later, Petty died unexpectedly. We would never get a chance to see him in concert. That tragedy/missed-opportunity kicked off my philosophy of “The Tom Petty Effect.” Which means Carpe Diem; Do the Thing; Take the Chance; Make it Happen Now; Go Ahead; Buy the Ticket; Eat the Cookie. In other words, don’t wait to live your life. Do the things you want to do. Because, you never know. If you wait, you might lose your chance. You might not get another one.
If you follow my blog you might think I can be a little over-the-top on going places and doing things and scheduling experiences Well, it’s all because of “The Tom Petty Effect.” I want to do as much as I can while I still can. Not everyone is so lucky. If, and when, I run low on opportunity, ideas, funds, good health, etc., then I’ll stop. Until then, I’ll be on the go, and I’ll be reporting in on all my adventures.
I’ve talked your ears off. I have some other profound thoughts about the power of music and the experiences that we can share. But, no time for that now. My Bullit soundtrack has played through repeat, and it’s time to wrap things up.
In conclusion, re the concerts I’ve mentioned, I want to emphasize that none of the bands that we heard were cover bands. There was some genuine original element to each group. Standing the test of time, their music evoked many different feelings and gave us warm glows. Which, each night, was “As Close As We Could Get...” to a perfect evening.
Thoughts?
I share your passion for music and concerts! We've seen many iterations of iconic bands with new members – Journey, Stone Temple Pilots, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Chicago, and Alice in Chains to name just a few – all of whom still had at least one original member, as well. Would have been great to see them all in their heyday, but this is the next best thing.
I went through a very brief Blackberry Smoke phase in Rapid City, but it's not really my style of music. They do have a few good songs though.
Mark, I do like to hear about your musical interests, too. I'll admit that during some concerts, I'm like "this is great!", but then it's not a band that I would listen to later. I probably won't follow BBS. It was a really good concert, but I didn't find their music distinctive.
The Tom Petty effect - that's pretty powerful. What cool experiences! The music that stands the test of time is so worth it. Thanks for taking us along, Gwen!
Thanks Wynne. I agree!
Definitely jealous about the Ryman. It and Red Rocks were on our list. Red rocks done but no Ryman yet
A lot of bands playing Ryman are country, and I'm not usually as interested in them. But, this concert lined up perfectly with our travel plans, so win, win! We also want to go to The Gorge in Washington state, one of these days.