Photos By: Travis Tutwiler & The Maddest Hatter
There’s been a lot of talk lately about the current state of rock music, courtesy of Gene Simmons’ incendiary assertion that rock music is dead. However, the rumors of rock’s demise have been greatly exaggerated, as far as I’m concerned. I spent last night amid a few thousand people who clearly agree. For many years, DFW has been fortunate to be home to Lone Star 92.5 KZPS Classic Rock Radio. For many of those years, the Bo & Jim morning radio show has been an integral part of Dallas’ musical landscape. The show’s trademark brand of wit and consistency has done much to keep the music we old rock ‘n rollers love alive. To that end, The Bo & Jim Bash 3 brought together Night Ranger and Heart for an evening of classic rock bacchanalia, and from where I sat, rock sure didn’t look dead…anything but!
Bo & Jim’s own Stone Cold Sweat band opened the show and got things off to a rollicking start. The guys played a short, but entertaining set of blues/rock numbers and acquitted themselves quite nicely indeed. Front man Bo handled vocals, while wearing hazardous materials protective gear (There’s a bit of social commentary you don’t see every day). Co-host Jim appeared onstage later in the band’s set, rockin’ a replica of Captain Kirk’s Starfleet Command tunic and was joined by perennial third banana Randy, draped in a serape, holding a picket-like sign branding the slogan “O-de-lay!” to the delight of all in attendance. It was a rather auspicious beginning, to state the obvious.
Next up was Austin’s favorite son, Monte Montgomery. Mr. Montgomery is a truly unique voice on guitar. His seamless blend of virtuosity and originality are something not to be missed. He incorporates a percussive approach to the instrument, which gives it an added dimension that is difficult to describe. Fortunately, this never comes at the expense of song or melody. As if that weren’t enough, Mr. Montgomery has a rich, sonorous singing voice that adds yet another weapon to his musical arsenal.