by Steven Sanchez
The events just keep coming. Now that it’s fall and the weather is cooler, more people want to go out and do stuff. September definitely contributed to that momentum. There were shows, and it is football season which means it’s Bulldog time. A lot happening in September! The community really did show up. Here is a recap of what took place.
RICK SPRINGFIELD, THE HOOTERS, TOMMY TUTONE
It was an ‘80s party at Warnors Theatre on September 17 when the “I Want My ‘80s Tour” rolled into town. Rick Springfield, The Hooters, and Tommy Tutone came to the Valley and rocked Warnors like it was the Sunset Strip. A nostalgic trip down memory lane for the older intimate crowd that turned out for the show. This show had some meaning since it was the last show of the tour, and it was here in Fresno. Despite the heat, those who lived through the ‘80s came out and danced and moved to the music like it was a John Hughes movie.
First, Tommy Tutone opened the night which put everybody in a fun mood. They are most remembered for their only hit, “867-5309/Jenny.” And if you lived during the time of this song, don’t act like you never tried dialing the number, because you know you did. The California pop band, who is fronted by the last original and co-founder of the group, Tommy Heath, did not skip a beat. He hasn’t lost his rock star appearance with his vest, top hat, and shades. Once “Jenny” started playing, everyone was up on their feet singing. I also got the chance to meet and take a selfie with Tommy, and he’s a cool guy.
Tommy Tutone
Next were The Hooters. The Pennsylvania band plays a little bit of everything ranging from rock, reggae, ska, and folk. They were the beneficiaries of the MTV era with songs like “All You Zombies,” “Day by Day,” “And We Danced,” “Where Do the Children Go,” “Johnny B,” and “Satellite.” They jammed out to their hits. There are six members in the band, and it’s cool to see that the majority of the original members are still playing together. They took up the whole stage, and with every song they played, they looked as excited to play as they did back then.
Most of their members are multi-instrumentalists. Eric Bazilian, the lead vocalist, plays lead guitar, mandolin, harmonica, and saxophone. It was cool to see him going from guitar to saxophone, rockin’ out one instrument after the other. Rob Hyman is also a singer and plays keyboards, accordion, and melodica. John Lilley, the rhythm guitarist, also plays mandolin, dobro, and keyboards, and is backing vocalist. Overall, fun music and a good time.
The Hooters
Then the man of the hour took the stage. The one and only Mr. Rick Springfield. Looking as young as ever and playing like he always has. Even at 74, the Australian-American is still going at it. The one-time soap opera star was rockin’ out and didn’t miss a step at all during his performance. His hits helped define the early ‘80s with songs like, “Jessie’s Girl,” “I’ve Done Everything for You,” “Don’t Talk to Strangers,” “Affair of the Heart,” and “Love Somebody.” He went through all those and the fans loved it.
Rick Springfield
The crowd enjoyed his whole catalog of songs. There was as much singing and dancing going on in the audience as there was on stage.
He took a small break to take a swig of Sammy Hagar’s Beach Bar Rum. He’s friends with the singer for his solo career with the hit, “I Can’t Drive 55,” and for fronting the band Van Halen when their original singer, David Lee Roth, left the band and was with them throughout the rest of the ‘80s and up to the mid-‘90s.
By the end of the night, Rick ended up without a shirt, and The Hooters joined him on stage while singing his defining tune, “Jessie’s Girl.” It has been used in so much media, but some may know it from the Mark Wahlberg film, “Boogie Nights.” They jammed out while the crowd was moving about and signing to the lyrics, and it ended on a (pun intended) high note. 
All those artists still have it. Still playing music that is near and dear to the hearts of those who lived during that era. They are all going strong, especially Rick, carving a name for himself by still making music and acting in high profile films and TV shows like, “Ricki and The Flash” alongside Meryl Streep, including “Californication,” and “The Goldbergs.” This show and their work prove that the ‘80s aren’t going anywhere.
Much appreciation to Richter Entertainment Group for putting on the show and C&K Media Solutions for approving our coverage of the show.
38 SPECIAL, MOLLY HATCHET, THE MARSHALL TUCKER BAND
The ‘70s and ‘80s were once again alive and well, but this time Fresno celebrated the South with 38 Special, The Marshall Tucker Band, and Molly Hatchet. While the previous acts I mentioned thrived in the pop world, these bands made a name for themselves in the Southern Rock genre. They thrived off a country style that became mainstream, and it was all commemorated when they came to Warnors Theatre on September 22. These bands waved the flag for country and blues rock of the ‘70s and early ‘80s, and the patrons in attendance enjoyed every moment.
Molly Hatchet began the night. They are remembered for their iconic album covers with images of gladiator-type characters set in mythic and fantasy worlds, most often painted by the amazing artist Frank Frazetta. The oldest members of the band are John Galvin who plays keyboards, synthesizers, piano, programming, and backing vocals since 1984; and Bobby Ingram who is the lead, acoustic and slide guitars, and backing vocals since 1987. To be honest, it didn’t matter who was on stage because they rocked the place.
Molly Hatchet
Known for songs like “Flirtin’ with Disaster,” “The Rambler,” “Power Play,” and “Satisfied Man.” They steamrolled through those songs with such fervor and energy. Bobby was playing that guitar like nobody’s business. I was most impressed with their newest singer, Parker Lee. He sang with so much enthusiasm and showmanship, despite his young age. An original member or not, he served great justice to the songs by singing them with his great vocal abilities and stage presence that the audience accepted him as if he had always been there. Be on the lookout for him—he has a promising future.
Then came The Marshall Tucker Band. With roots in South Carolina, they’re fronted by one of the founding and original members, vocalist Doug Gray. He may be one of the last standing members from their heyday, but with his vocals, he’s kept the memory and legacy of the band alive and well. They shuffled through their jams like “Can’t You See,” “Fire on the Mountain,” and of course the beloved classic, “Heard It in a Love Song.”
The Marshall Tucker Band
Doug had a great band backing him, they all deserve a lot of credit. They sounded like the original lineup. But the, I wouldn’t say unsung, but the sung, hero of the performance was Doug himself. Even at his age, he sang his heart out and put so much heart and soul into his vocals that you could feel his passion through every song.
Then there was 38 Special. Needless to say, they did make the night special. Similar to the gun they’re named after, they did release rounds of familiar career-defining hits like “Rockin’ into the Night,” “Caught Up in You,” “Teacher, Teacher,” “Second Chance,” and of course, the much appreciated, “Hold On Loosely.” For those who know me, they know how much sentimental value the song has to me. During the good times, this was a celebration choice of mine, and in times when I needed to be uplifted, the song did just that. And when they played it, everybody there felt the same way.
38 Special
The band is led by original member Don Barnes, who is the lead and backing vocals and has played lead and rhythm guitar, harmonica, mandolin, and keyboards since the band’s inception in 1974 in Florida. But this new lineup played so well that I felt it would’ve made the original lineup proud. For me, it was seeing the dueling energies between Don, and the lead guitarist, Jerry Riggs. They were playing and singing at the same volume, feeding off each other, having a blast, each having their own moment in the spotlight, but delivering a one-two knockout of great musicianship.
What stood out for me with all these bands is that even with all the lineup changes they’ve been through, all of them are still going strong, still love playing, and entertaining their fans, and to me, it doesn’t get any better than that.
Again, much appreciation to Richter Entertainment Group for putting on the show and C&K Media Solutions for approving our coverage of the show.
FRESNO STATE FOOTBALL
Football season is here, and the Bulldog faithful showed up in full force for their home game against the Nevada Wolfpack on September 30 and beat them soundly 27-9. The Bulldogs’ streak, which was the second-longest in the FBS at the time of the game, was at 14 games after that night’s win. Sophomore quarterback Mikey Keene threw for 269 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions, and Jaelen Gill, who had eight catches for 126 yards. Malik Sherrod led the Bulldogs in rushing with 123 yards on 12 carries and a 72-yard touchdown run in the second quarter when people thought he was down, but the whistle didn’t blow, so he kept running until he scored. Definitely the highlight night.
The defense came to hit. Limiting them to just one touchdown late in the fourth quarter but by that point, the Bulldogs had the game won. With the victory, they moved up a spot in the AP Poll at 24. It was a meaningful win against a conference opponent.
Unfortunately, their streak came to an end the next week, on October 7, against the Wyoming Cowboys in Laramie by the score of 24-19. It was a hard-fought game but not enough to get a win for the Bulldogs. Which also meant they dropped out of the rankings. However, they bounced back the next week in a back-and-forth match against the Utah State Aggies on their home turf in Logan in a close game by the score of 37-32. With that win, that makes them bowl eligible.
There’s still plenty of season left to go. They got UNLV, Boise State, San Jose State, New Mexico, and San Diego State. With their momentum, they can come out on top of the Mountain West Conference and move up again in the Top 25 rankings, and a good bowl game they can participate in. We believe in them. Go Dogs!
All photos by Steven Sanchez.
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