JACK JONES AND HIS FRIENDS KNOCK IT OUT OF THE PARK!

The Rolling Thunder Review rolled into Rio this past Sunday for its annual show, and oh what a show it was! Jack Jones, like an aging bottle of wine, just may have delivered his best show ever in this songwriting series. A few of His new songs, possibly written on Route 21 on his way to the concert, are destined to join his greatest hits with “I’d Be Grateful,” “I Dreamed I Was a Butterfly,” “Things Gone By,” “98.7,, “My Brother Chimpanzee,” and “ Mr. Tangerine Man.” Jack’s delivery was only sweetened by the soulful and excellent playing of Kendall Wilt (harmonica and keyboard) and Fran Cary (lead guitar, dobro, and backup harmony), buddies from Jack’s band, The Stid Hill Stompers. The sweetness of the show, however, did not stop there. Bruce Diamond, well-known, all-around, quintessential musician, enhanced the presentation with some exquisite bass playing, many of the songs brand new to Bruce. Just when you think the show couldn’t get better, it did. Beth Steel, one of Jack’s long-time friends, joined the band for a couple of songs, and knocked the audience out with her beautiful voice. Throughout the afternoon, Jack and his team made the audience laugh and cry with his stories and songs of nature, love, war, and Of course, politics, but what really impressed me is these folks were having fun, and their good time spread to the audience, filling the room with an enigmatic joy, easily observed through the enthusiastic responses throughout the afternoon. Jack has plans to move to Colorado sometime in the future, but he said he’d come back to do another show. So, stay tuned!

Big thanks to Jack, Kendall, Fran, Bruce, and Beth for a terrific show! Big thanks to Raf, Erin, Trevor, Jasmine, Hanna, Mel, and the rest of the staff at Rio for all the help you give us to make this event work! Big thanks to Scott Regan for promoting these shows on WRUR’s “Open Tunings!” Big thanks to you, the audience, for your continuous support of this venue! Without you, it would not be possible! Our next show will be on Sunday, October 20. The Michael Yacci Trio (Mike Yacci, Bryan Maslin, and Paul Yacci) will be our guests in Quiote. There will be music by C & L Railroad for the brunch at Rio from Noon until Mike, Bryan, and Paul take the stage at 3 PM. Stay tuned for more details about “Sunday Music at Rio!”