Scene and Heard

Kevin Skinner

George Jones filled up Horseshoe Casino’soutdoor venue , as this years Summer Concert Series kicked off.

Unlike Friday evening’s Chicago concert, which was nearly washed out by severe thunderstorms, it was a beautiful night. Loyal fans filled he venue to have the opportunity to see a Legend of country music perform.

Jones at 79, complained of allergies, but did show up to the delight of his fans. He ran through his long list of hits as the older crowd sang with him. His songs of drinking and heartbreak still have their impact even if the famous voice has slipped a bit over the years.

The show was opened by “America’s Got Talent Winner”, Kevin Skinner who warmed up the crowd mixing his tunes with covers of Lynard Skynard and Garth Brooks.

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When Chicago released its first album in 1969, they weren’t sure how the public would react to a rock band that was dominated by horns. 40 years later the band has sold over 100,000,000 albums including 21 top ten singles, 11 of them were number one. Twenty five of their 32 albums have gone platinum and the band has 47 gold and platinum awards.

Fans braved a soggy night filled with severe thunderstorms and a hour and a half delay to see the current version of the band containing four original members, keyboard and vocalists Robert Lamm, the horn section of Lee Loughnane , Walt Parazaider, and Jame Pankow. The original members showed their love of entertaining by dancing and energizing the crowd.

They were joined by newer members bassist Jason Scheff , who did a great job handling the vocals on songs by departed member Peter Cetera, and Keith Howland on Guitar.

The band continues to deliver a strong performance. This night mixing the early music with their later hits. Legendary songs such as, “Make Me Smile”, “Color my World” , “I am a Man” and “25 to 6 to 4” blended nicely with, their later hits, “Saturday in the Park”, “Your My Inspiration” and “Hard to Say I am Sorry”.

The band has a Grammy, multiple American Music Awards and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It’s hard to believe the haven’t been elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.