Indianapolis, IN. – Blues legend Buddy Guy and the Damn Right Blues Band was in the house and he brought along hometown favorite John Hiatt & The Goners featuring Sonny Landreth to open the show. It was hot & humid Wednesday, but that did not stop fans from coming out to TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park for a great night of music.
What can I say about Buddy Guy? ALWAYS the showman! Just shy of his 86th birthday (July 30th) Buddy takes the stage and owns it from the moment the spot light hits him. Backed by musicians Ric ‘JazGuitar’ Hale (guitar), Tom Hambridge (drums), Orlando Wright (bass), and Marty Sammons (keys), otherwise known as The Damn Right Blues Band, Buddy and the guys proceed to take the house on a 90 minute history lesson of the blues. Playing everything from Traditional blues to the Chicago Blues that made him famous (& everything in-between), Buddy captivates the crowd with every lick of his Fender. Playing his guitar like it was a natural part of his being, Buddy showed-off his skills using his arm, teeth, and even “hip moves” to make his guitar sing. And he didn’t stop there…Now, I don’t want to give away all his tricks so I’ll just leave you with it really is something to see. This tour will be out through September and is one to add to the schedule for a good time out with friends. I promise you’ll laugh, boogie, and by the time you leave, you’ll feel entertained and a little wiser on the Blues.
SETLIST: BUDDY GUY
- Damn Right, I’ve Got The Blues
- Hoochie Coochie Man/She’s Nineteen Years Old/Cheaper To Keep Her/I Just Want To Make Love To You/Crazy ‘Bout You
- How Blue Can You Get (Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers cover)
- You Know I Love You Baby/Pretty Baby
- Sunshine of Your Love (Cream cover)
- Take Me To The River (Al Green cover)
- Boom Boom/Down The Road I Go
- Skin Deep
- Strange Brew (Cream cover)
- Drowning On Dry Land/Rock Me
- Wanna Get Close To You
Kicking the night off was hometown favorite John Hiatt (born & raised in Indianapolis, IN) along with musicians Sonny Landreth (guitar), David Hanson (bass) and Ken Blevins (drums) a.k.a The Goners. With grins from ear to ear and a wave to the crowd, John & the guys wasted no time getting the audience on their feet opening with “Tennessee Plates” then continuing through an extensive catalog of hits for the next 75 minutes. I was personally happy to see Sonny take the lead on vocals and play his hit “Congo Square” about mid set.
John & The Goners will be out with Buddy Guy through the end of September before joining up with Lyle Lovett & His Large Band in October. Make sure to check for dates near year for a great night of Blues, Rock, and Americana!
SETLIST: JOHN HIATT & THE GONERS
- Tennessee Plates
- Your Dad Did
- Feels Like Rain
- Mississippi Phone Booth
- The Tiki Bar Is Open
- Congo Square (Sonny Landreth song) Sonny on vocals
- Paper Thin
- Perfectly Good Guitar
- Slow Turning
- Icy Blue Heart
- Memphis in the Meantime
Encore:
- Have A Little Faith In Me
- Thing Called Love
Show Date: 7/27/2022
