STYX, 38 SPECIAL and GREAT WHITE @ Catfish Concert – Greenville, WI

July 10, 2021

Review by Sharon Locklin
Photos by David Urmanski

The 36th Annual Catfish Concert was held in Greenville Saturday night courtesy of the Greenville Lions Club with over 10,000 concert-goers spanning across the Greenville Lions Park grounds for the sold-out show. Those in attendance were more than eager to celebrate the return of live music to the greater Fox Valley area with opening act Great White leading the charge, followed by the legendary 38 Special and the sensational progressive pop rockers, Styx, headlining the highly-anticipated event.

Not having seen Great White since their split with former lead vocalist Jack Russell in 2001, I was curious if the band would be the same as the band that gained peak popularity and mainstream success for songs like “Once Bitten, Twice Shy” and the release of their “…Twice Shy” album in 1989 just over three decades ago. While they certainly weren’t the same band I recall, that didn’t prove to be a bad thing.

With the ever-talented, original lead guitarist Mark Kendall slinging his axe and new front man, Mitch Malloy, taking center stage as the eye candy of the band who really belted out one heck of a vocal range along with Micheal Lardie on guitar/keyboards, Scott Snyder on bass and Audie Desbrow on drums, Great White brought an abundance of energy and enthusiasm along with a plethora of classic hits to help amp up the crowd early for what was soon to follow.

American southern-rock was next in the concert cue. Formed by Donnie Van Zant, the younger brother of Lynyrd Skynyrd founder Ronnie Van Zant, and Don Barnes in 1974 in Jacksonville, Florida, 38 Special really left an impression on the Greenville audience with vocalist and guitarist Barnes leading the pack as the only original member still with the band. Also taking stage were Jerry Riggs of Pat Travers fame on guitar, Bobby Capps on keyboards/vocals, Barry Dunaway on bass and Gary Moffatt on drums.

As expected, 38 Special rolled out one incredible hit after another to include the title track from the bands third album and first song to receive national airplay “Rocking Into The Night” as well as “Ride the Store” from Don’s solo album which was received just as well as songs from the 38 Special catalog. Likewise, “So Caught Up In You” and “Hold on Loosely” lured those who brought folding chairs to the show to get up and dance and join in the vocal accompaniment as they were whisked away back in time to the early 80’s when music videos on MTV catapulted bands like 38 Special to the next level.

As the night turned black and the temperature dropped dramatically, Styx took stage promptly at 10pm to get everyone’s blood flowing once again for just over an hour and a half set. The band brought it from the first note played for opener “Blue Collar Man,” featuring Tommy Shaw on guitar and vocals and Lawrence Gowan on the rotating keyboard. That really engaged the crowd in addition to the fact that there were plenty of blue collar men in the crowd looking on in awe as the band performed the 1978 release to perfection.

While vocalist and guitarist, James Young, is the only original band member still performing and recording with the group, Tommy Shaw proves to be irreplaceable as the frontman, guitarist and songwriter of Styx. His contributions include “Too Much Time on My Hands,” “Come Sail Away,” “Blue Collar Man” and “Babe” which were all performed at Saturday’s show. Also contributing to the band’s unique sound were Gowan on keyboards and vocals, Ricky Phillips on bass, Todd Suchermar on drums and the newest band member to join Styx on guitar and vocals, Will Evankovich.

As Styx moved through their set list, which included classic hits like “Grand Illusion” and “Lady” as well music from the band’s sixteen studio album “The Mission” and their new, best-selling release “Crash of the Crown” which reached #1 on The Billboard Rock Chart, all I could think of is how powerful and dynamic their songs are and how accomplished and talented Styx continues to be after so many years. They are not just musicians playing individual parts to a song, but true artists whose sum total evolves into the synergy of a master performance right before your eyes. Their vocal, keyboard and guitar harmonies are out of this world and the crowd seemed especially enthusiastic about the band’s new material when singing along to “Gone, Gone, Gone” and “Sound the Alarm.”

Styx was in great form. Their sound, stage production and connection to their fans were phenomenal from start to finish and 10,000-plus people walked away from the annual Catfish Concert extremely satisfied with songs stuck in their head well into the wee-morning hours I’m sure.

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