It’s often joked that you can experience several seasons worth of unpredictable weather in one Chicago day. This Windy City phenomenon was operating on full force on Saturday, June 17, as a hot, humid afternoon transformed into a stormy, treacherous evening at the Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island where legendary Eagles musician, Don Henley, was scheduled for a highly-anticipated headlining performance.
Despite a venue-wide evacuation and much-delayed Henley concert, JD & the Straight Shot’s opening set went off without a hitch as the group shared their breezy Americana tunes with the classic rock-lovin’ crowd. Much of the performance featured tracks off the group’s all-acoustic release, Ballyhoo!, but the musicians also had fun with a few playful covers and new tunes.
JD & the Straight Shot’s rendition of “Nature’s Way” (by Spirit) showcased their delicate harmonies while their take on Little Feat’s “Let It Roll” gave the group a chance to highlight their playful side with several mid-song teases of everything from “Wipe Out” to “Purple Haze” to “Tequila.” The cinematic nature of “Violet’s Song” gleamed in the live setting as it did on the soundtrack to the 2013 film, August: Osage County.
Throughout the night violinist Erin Slaver captivated the crowd with soulful harmonies and intricate solos most notably on the new tune, “Moonlight.” “Better Find a Church,” “Perdition” and “Ballyhoo” further provided the band ample opportunities to share their classic American music.
JD & the Straight Shot’s tour in support of Don Henley concluded in St. Paul on June 18 and they will be heading out with The Doobie Brothers for a string of shows later in the fall. Head over to JDandTheStraightShot.com to stay up-to-date with the band’s performance itinerary.