REO Speedwagon at Chumash, January 31, 2008

[DwightMcCann]

Well, of late we are all avoiding discussing the song limit when possible so I likely shot six songs of these guys as well as a couple from on the stage level behind the monitor mixer. No one said anything so neither did I and it turned out nicely. I did trap myself (but one must experiment) on the wrong side of the crowd and was pinned in for the whole night, but it was a good show.

#1 The obligatory collage:
http://dwightmccann.com/Images/REOSpeedwagon01312008/fullsize/REOCollage.jpg

#2 I used Rene's revelation that LightRoom has vignetting controls to lighten the "outside" of this image and enhance the two big screens. In the lower center foreground is the sound/light boards ... I am shooting from the risers that go up behind them.
http://dwightmccann.com/Images/REOSpeedwagon01312008/fullsize/REO006.jpg

#3 A shot with one of the two camera crews in front of the stage. We normally have two ambulatory cameras, several in the lighting trusses and one back high behind the light/sound boards (above and behind where I shot #2 from) ... anyway, you can see Ezron shooting, REO and the image on the screen.
http://dwightmccann.com/Images/REOSpeedwagon01312008/fullsize/REO014.jpg

#4 Typical of the whole night of laughter and good spirits on the stage:
http://dwightmccann.com/Images/REOSpeedwagon01312008/fullsize/REO016.jpg

#5 Kevin Cronin, very personable and emotive:
http://dwightmccann.com/Images/REOSpeedwagon01312008/fullsize/REO019.jpg

#6 Kevin watching Dave Amato riff ... and again, the camera crew who get stay with their bellies stuck up against the stage the whole night long.
http://dwightmccann.com/Images/REOSpeedwagon01312008/fullsize/REO050.jpg

#7 An idea of the crowd that shoved their way up pretty early on in the night.
http://dwightmccann.com/Images/REOSpeedwagon01312008/fullsize/REO057-2.jpg

#8 I ran into Brian on stage before the concert and was admiring his drum kit. I thought he was a gopher and said it was a pretty impressive kit, was it his ... he smiled and said, "Yeah, you can't walk in and buy this in your local music store!" He turned out to be rather impressive all night.
http://dwightmccann.com/Images/REOSpeedwagon01312008/fullsize/REO064.jpg

So, there are sixteen more in my gallery at http://dwightmccann.com/ChumashCasinoResort/REOSpeedwagon01312008.html for you listening pleasure.

My next concert will be Johnny Mathis on Valentine's Day ... been sold out for about a month or so!

[kato1]

OMG I didn't realise they were still together. I used to listen to them when I was a teenager and I'm over fourty now! Surely they should have retired?

[DwightMcCann]

OMG I didn't realise they were still together. I used to listen to them when I was a teenager and I'm over fourty now! Surely they should have retired?
Well, they're working at it ... see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/REO_Speedwagon for info including word on their tour with STYX and Def Leppard later this year ... I like STYX and would really like to see that.

[tmonatr]

I like the drummer shot, and #4, where you really captured the shine of that guy's head.;)

REO Speedwagon, Styx, AND Def Leppard? That would be AWESOME!

[bacchanal]

lol @ Dwight getting trapped by that unruly mob! :D

#8 ftw...he looks like some sort of drum ninja or something.

[photorookie]

Excellent pictures, especially like the drummer shots!

Man those bring back memories from a few years ago!! I can still play Gary Richrath's guitar solos from the Live, You Get What You Play For album on my air guitar as good as anyone!! HA :D;)

[DwightMcCann]

I like the drummer shot, and #4, where you really captured the shine of that guy's head.;)

REO Speedwagon, Styx, AND Def Leppard? That would be AWESOME!

Yeah, Brian, the drummer was so far back and behind so much stuff that I was very pleased to get that shot. I have a couple of others but not with so much expression. Oh, the bald guy, I didn't even see him when I was shooting ... I was trying to get one of the many laughing moments with Bruce Hall, the bassist, as he seemed to be having a grand night ... I got several that were very good where I managed to cut him off because I was too close with the wrong lens.

Yes, REO, STYX and Def Leppard are supposed to tour this Spring ... but they aren't on the casino schedule (which I can see pretty far out ahead) so it'll be a missed opportunity, sigh.

lol @ Dwight getting trapped by that unruly mob! :D

#8 ftw...he looks like some sort of drum ninja or something.

I was trapped because I had some extra equipment with me (Lord knows I have a huge default kit to start with) and while I have every confidence in the casino security I didn't want to leave an attractive looking black canvas case (containing a backdrop kit) on the floor ... and the show was good ... Kevin is a very affable front man and there is plenty of talent on stage.

Yes, I like the drummer shot but still like ones from my KISS conerts better!

[johnstoy]

Great composition Dwight... The drummer is *rich*... They are all great action pics... Cheers.

PS: I got a new IP and had been accidentally off line, from this forum since 1/9/08...

[DwightMcCann]

Thank, John. I hope you mean a new ISP. We'll expect to see new work soon!

[ktcmojo]

WOAH!!!!!!!!!!!!
im havin some major flashbacks here............
i hit 51 on thursday so i remember these guys in high (very) school in the early 70s!!!
awesome pictures............:lol:

[DwightMcCann]

KTC, you're just a kid! :-) They're still very good. But I gather they just can't get as much traction as they'd like.

[Michael1116]

KTC, you're just a kid! :-) They're still very good. But I gather they just can't get as much traction as they'd like.

I've seen them every year for the past 4 or 5 years in Milwaukee. One year they toured with Styx and Journey. They still pack them in around here. Not stadium type gigs, but some fairly large theaters and fairs.

[johnstoy]

Thank, John. I hope you mean a new ISP. We'll expect to see new work soon!

Internet Service Provider, is what I meant... You're right Dwight...

Some more regarding REO:
Looks like you strive for diversification in composition and did a great job of it... By incorporating the audience in some, and the camera crew and stage angles in others... your pics take on an added dimmention...

As usual, you shot your share of pics and were able to choose the good faces, smiles and poise... The balance in #3 caught me off guard... The *alignment* is excellent.


About my upcoming sched:
I'm not ready to shoot shows yet... at least until Penn's Peak resumes operations later this month... In the mean time, I have an all day, indoor (niece's) wedding to do Friday... (I got the EX580II, Newton Flash bracket, Canon battery pack, etc., just for this indoor wedding)... Give it a few weeks for processing and there after, I'll resume doing some select shows... Cheers.

[livewire-photography.com]

Nice Set Dwight, as always lol

[DwightMcCann]

I've seen them every year for the past 4 or 5 years in Milwaukee. One year they toured with Styx and Journey. They still pack them in around here. Not stadium type gigs, but some fairly large theaters and fairs.
They're scheduled to tour with STYX and Def Leppard in the Spring I think ... I don't follow these things but someone mentioned it. Should be a heck of a hippie show. :cool:

Internet Service Provider, is what I meant... You're right Dwight...

Some more regarding REO:
Looks like you strive for diversification in composition and did a great job of it... By incorporating the audience in some, and the camera crew and stage angles in others... your pics take on an added dimmention...

As usual, you shot your share of pics and were able to choose the good faces, smiles and poise... The balance in #3 caught me off guard... The *alignment* is excellent.


About my upcoming sched:
I'm not ready to shoot shows yet... at least until Penn's Peak resumes operations later this month... In the mean time, I have an all day, indoor (niece's) wedding to do Friday... (I got the EX580II, Newton Flash bracket, Canon battery pack, etc., just for this indoor wedding)... Give it a few weeks for processing and there after, I'll resume doing some select shows... Cheers.

Well, we'll all be here waiting for your new phase of concert work. Hope you don't go to the dark side and decide weddings are your real calling.

Nice Set Dwight, as always lol
James, you're alive! Nice to hear from you. :D

[sugarzebra]

Thanks for bringing back the memories Dwight. Superb work as always.

[DwightMcCann]

Thanks for bringing back the memories Dwight. Superb work as always.

Oh, Honey, I love it when you talk romantic! :lol::lol::lol:

[René Damkot]

#2, 5, 7 and 8 (maybe crop a bit) for me.