Finally, after a near 11 year wait, the ABB finally graced the Salem/Roanoke VA area with a show that was worth the wait. I haven’t had any trouble making the 3 hour drives to either Raleigh, Charlotte, or Northern Virginia over the past decade, so the 20 minute trip into Salem from my Blue Ridge Mountain home. My younger sister and a friend of hers had the pleasure sitting on the stage beside Oteil thanks to a local radio contest, not to mention getting to meet all the guys backstage after the show and getting to hang out for nearly an hour. She reported nothing but an excellent scene, big surprise there, AND she managed to get her brother (yours truly) one of Warren’s guitar pics, to go with the picture of me and Warren taken after the Govt Mule show in Salem in 2000. As usual the music was right on time. Gregg’s organ hasn’t ever sounded better to me than in Salem. His solos were excellent and vocals were clear and full of soul as always, although it surprised me to hear my sister tell me that he quickly retired to the bus after the show ended complaining he didn’t feel too well. Thanks alot Gregg for being a “trooper” and giving the fans their money’s worthand thanks alot to all the guys for making your true fans in the Southwest Virginia happy. Until the next time…
