Forever Seger at Blue Gate Performing Arts Center in Shipshewana, IN
Shipshewana, IN (January 20,2024) – On Saturday night, the classic rock sounds of Bob Seger fill the Blue Gate Performing Arts Center as Forever Seger brings their tribute show to Shipshewana.
Forever Seger is a 10 piece band that is made up of Kevin Reid (lead singer, acoustic guitar), John Jamieson (keyboard, backup vocals), Mitch Starkman (bass guitar), Alex Harrison (electric guitar), Eric Robb (electric guitar), Patrick Smith (saxophone), Kherson Amell (drums) and three female backup vocalists know as Smokin’ Segerettes: Cyndi Richards, Amanda Gordon and Anika Johnson. The band calls Toronto, Canada home. The band delivers The Silver Bullet Experience, a tribute to rock legend Bob Seger and his Silver Bullet Band all across North America.
When the band takes the stage and the show begins, many concert goers are amazed as Reid belts out the first lyrics of “Feels Like A Number.” His vocal resemblance to the rock legend is so close, you can close your eyes and see Bob performing on stage. His stage appearance is also astounding and quite similar to Bob’s 1976 Nights Moves album cover.
Seger formed The Silver Bullet Band in 1974, as his career was about to take off. The peak of Seger’s career ranged from 1976 with the album release of Night Moves, through 1987. Forever Seger covers that part of his career with hit songs like: “Roll Me Away,” “Ramblin’, Gamblin’ Man,” “Like A Rock,” “We’ve Got Tonight” and “You’ll Accomp’ny Me.”
Bob Seger grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan. As a kid, he would travel to Ann Street where all the local bands would hang out. It is also where he got his love for the Motown sound. Years later, he sat down and wrote the song about the experiences and called it “Main Street.” The crowd goes crazy as Smith begins with the highlighted saxophone solo. He proceeds to meet Reid at center stage during the song to end with a standing ovation from the crowd at the conclusion.
Jamieson keeps the crowd standing as he cues up the piano, for the band and fan favorite 1980 single “Against The Wind.”
During the untimely hit “Old Time Rock And Roll,” Reid comes down off the stage and ventures through the crowd, singing and shaking hands while the band showcases their talents. As he returns to the stage, he immediately exits side stage.
Alto Reed, the late saxophone player for Bob Seger and considered one of Seger’s biggest assets, appears on the main video screen describing the makings of what became an iconic rock n roll anthem. At the conclusion of the video, Jamieson and Smith begin a preamble to the popular hit “Turn The Page” before Reid reappears on stage. Many in the crowd jump up out their seats, waving their arms high above their heads and singing along with the band.
As the band plays “Her Strut,” many females in the crowd leave their seats and come strutting themselves down the aisles to the front of the stage.
The show concludes with “Hollywood Night,” and “Rock And Roll Never Forgets.” During the latter, Reid approaches the front of the stage and grabs one lady’s phone and sings into it while taking it across the front of the stage recording others camped out at the front of the stage.
With the band exited off stage, the crowd applauds and chants for their return and encore.
The band returns to the stage after a thunderous cheer from the crowd, as the night comes to an end with the 1976 hit, “Night Moves” and “Let It Rock.”
For anyone who has ever attended a show will contest, Forever Seger is a group of musical individuals who are extremely talented in their own rights and are the perfect tribute to rock legend, Bob Seger.
Words by: Leslie Reasoner
Photos by: John Reasoner
Forever Seger
Blue Gate Performing Arts Center
Forever Seger setlist:
Feels Like A Number / Tryin’ To Live My Live Without You / Roll Me Away / Main Street / Still The Same / Ramblin’, Gamblin’ Man / Against The Wind / Shame On The Moon / Like A Rock / Travelin’ Man / Beautiful Loser / Old Time Rock And Roll / Turn The Page / The Fire Down Below / Nutbush City Limits / We’ve Got Tonight / You’ll Accomp’ny Me / Betty Lou’s Gettin’ Out Tonight / Her Strut / Hollywood Nights / Rock And Roll Never Forgets
Encore: Night Moves / Let It Rock