Friday night, April 17 the second event in the Karrh Center’s live entertainment season, presented he “Dark Desert Highway Band” to a sold-out venue. The Dark Desert Highway Band is a tribute band to the Eagles and also performed musical selections of other 70’s icons such as Linda Ronstadt, Stevie Nicks/Fleetwood Mac, Heart, Abba and various duets from the period. There was even a rendition of Tina Turner’s famous Proud Mary performance during the introductions of the band in the last set of the night’s entertainment.
As an aside, in describing the evening and the power of the voice Brandi Faller brought to the show (and the Proud Mary tribute) to a younger person, she mentioned that she knew the song from a John Kazynski lip sync battle with Anna Kendrick. It was a hoot once it was found on YouTube - but it was pale next to the live performance…or of the original.
The 10-member band is made up of locals from our expanded southeastern Georgia community, with five vocalists supported by six instruments played by a talented group of musicians. Each vocalist was harmonized by their peers but had their own unique vocal sounds that were wonderfully fitted to the songs on which they were featured.
The second female vocalist was Mandy Fowler. Her voice was a lilting and softer reprieve from the power of her bandmate. This gave her the ability to do justice to duets and many of the soft rock tunes that were so prevalent in the period of time the band was covering.
The male vocalists had huge range and did their featured tunes with skill and clarity that the original artists would have appreciated. They were Russ Lanier (who has also performed in the Ms. Southeast Georgia/Miss Emanuel County Scholarship Pageants as Elvis no less) Benjy Thompson and Perry Zeigler. In addition, Mr. Zeigler did an outstanding job playing the rhythm acoustic guitar for most of the evening.
Other members of the band that focused on the instrumental side of the evening were Jackie Skinner on lead guitar (both acoustic and electric) Rhett Mouchet on keyboards, Sean Kent on bass, with Casey Yarbrough & Duane Borba on drums and percussion respectively.
It was obvious the band enjoyed themselves through their smiles and interactions, and these same indices were evident throughout the full Karrh Center. Patrons of the evening even enjoyed dancing in the aisles with a memorable couple being Judge Bobby Reeves and his wife Daisy performing a few spins while doing a bit of the Carolina Shag.
But the best part of the evening was seeing so many wonderful members of our extended community come together in the beautifully refurbished theater. Some of these folks have not seen each other in years, which was a joy in catching up and rekindling those relationships… further, it was amazing making new friends and acquaintances.
There was a beautiful young pre-teen that was well attired in her red dress with polished shoes, and served as a reminder that it’s a fantastic feeling making an effort for one’s self and for others. To that end, everyone appreciated the efforts of so many, including the City, Police, the staff and management of the Karrh and others that came together to make the night such an amazing memory.
Please be reminded there are still four more events in this season’s live event offerings, and that season tickets can still be purchased. Contact (478) 419-1308 or stop by the Karrh Center, 107 North Green Street in Swainsboro.
To see current and upcoming movies visit https://karrhcenter.com/movies/ or to make donations to help support our community arts theater and center https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-historic-dixie-theatre.
