KERRY AND FORREST REGAN COME THROUGH WITH A BANNER SHOW!

There are many things we cannot control. One of them is the weather, and the storm on Sunday kept many from seeing Kerry and Forrest Regan deliver another vintage Kerry Regan show. The modest crowd did not hamper Kerry’s stellar performance one bit. His confident stage presence, something I really admire, displayed a guy totally in control of the game. In a Dylan-like fashion, Kerry used his voice, guitar, and harmonica to present many songs he wrote about his experiences during 2019, once again displaying his love for writing and his awesome, prolific ability . His well-carved lyrics were filled with both humorous sarcasm and genuine sensitivity, and they were greatly enhanced with captivating stories that most of the time made the audience laugh, but a few times brought a tear or two. Kerry usually does this show as a solo performer, but this year he added Forrest Regan, his nephew. Forrest, bassist for the Onondaga Civic Symphony Orchestra, most certainly took this show to a higher level. He was right on the money in every one of Kerry’s songs, especially when he used a bow for one of Kerry’s new Christmas songs, “Shine on Christmas Lights.” Time simply stood still as the sound of the bass pervaded the room, totally making the song come alive for me. Speaking of Christmas, Kerry will be back in two weeks with his band, Watkins and the Rapiers. This band, now in its twenty-third year, has an unbelievable catalog of original Christmas music. While some of these Christmas songs display a serious sensitivity, most of them are funny, and they give the listener a refreshing experience with Christmas music. They have been doing Christmas shows at The Little Theater in Rochester for years, and it is on my “bucket list” to make their Christmas show an annual tradition at Rio Tomatlan. So, come back and see Kerry and the rest of the band in two weeks, and please spread the word. Trust me. You will love it!

Big thanks to Kerry and Forrest for a terrific show! Big thanks to Raf, Erin, Trevor, Jasmine, Julie, Chris, 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 in Quiote is on Dec. 15. Watkins and the Rapiers will be our guest for a special show of its original Christmas music. There will be music for the brunch at Rio from Noon until the band takes the stage at 3 PM. Stay tuned for more details about Watkins and the Rapiers and “Sunday Music at Rio!”