An Evening at The Fred with Boz Scaggs

If you’re of my generation (60’s baby) or the generation prior, you likely know exactly who Boz Scaggs is. If you’re younger than me, you need to do a little research to gain a little insight on this fantastical singer/strummer.

After hearing that one of my all time favorite “Boys of the 70’s” was coming to The Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater (The Fred) in Peachtree City on July 10, I knew that NOTHING would stop me from seeing this performance. With the threat of thunderstorms, I ignored every weather report that might have suggested that I stay at home. I was determined to see him no matter what. Riley (Big Sis) and I arrived at 6:30, swooped into the perfect parking spot with the intent of waiting for the gates to open at 7. Well, DOWN CAME THE RAIN!!! We realized that we didn’t remember to bring a rain poncho, so we sped to Wal-Mart for our protective rain gear. When we returned, the gates were open and we were on our way.

Boz’s music is a combination of rock, pop, jazz, blues, soul and everything in between. We were fortunate enough to hear a little something from each genre for a little over an hour and a half on Saturday night. He sang a range of favorites, including “JoJo”, “Lido Shuffle” and my two favoritest hits, “Lowdown” and “Look What You’ve Done To Me” (from the Urban Cowboy soundtrack). I would have been completely happy just hearing those four cuts, but Mr. Scaggs came to perform and man oh man DID HE!!! I felt like it was at a flashback concert, waving my flameless candle and swaying to the music.

A few songs into the set, Monet, his dancing-harmonizing-sang-your-butt-off side kick gave us a performance of a lifetime by wowing us with her rendition of Bonnie Raitt’s “Let’s Give Them Something To Talk About” with a little bit of Al Green flair thrown in near the end. Please don’t take sidekick the wrong way…back-up singer just doesn’t suffice in this instance, because THIS GIRL CAN BLOW!!! For a moment it seemed that this was her concert!!

The entire cast was outstanding—after teasing us and pretending the show was over, we were thrilled when they returned to the stage and had a downright JAM SESSION for an additional 15-20 minutes. It was unbelievable!! Each musician had the opportunity to show us their stuff and it was quite impressive. “Lend Me a Dime” was the final song of the night. Oh, I forgot to tell y’all that he even sang two songs that he wrote during the time he lived in Macon.

Now back to the rain--it stopped shortly before the show began at 8 and not another drop was to be seen for the remainder of the evening. It was destined that we would enjoy the concert rain-free. A perfect evening--great weather, wonderful venue, and a take-you-back-to-the-70’s from the gut performance by Boz Scaggs (and crew). Time well spent.

Sheila Denise