Restless Heart, Tony Ramey, Grover’s, 12/5/13

| December 7, 2013
Larry Stewart, Restless Heart

Larry Stewart, Restless Heart

Despite the nasty weather coming in, about 75 people made their way to Grover’s Grill & Bar in Frisco Thursday night (Dec. 5, 2013) for the duo-billing of legends Restless Heart and solo (this time) Tony Ramey.

This fan went long before the moisture came down, got an up-close parking spot, and later then offered to sprinkle rock salt outside as the rains and sleet began to stick to the pavement. That done, settled into my makeshift office for the evening and got a lot of work accomplished while waiting for the real fun to begin.

Hours and several cups of hot coffee later, the show began. Aaron Underwood is a sound man to be remembered, he does such excellent work. Tony began, and within 10 minutes had converted strangers into fans. NOTE TO SELF:  Remember to get them to sign up for updates on Tony’s website, TonyRamey.com, so they won’t miss additions to his calendar. Ramey brought a strong 45-minute set to the Grover’s stage, and the crowd,  previously ensconced in private conversations around their dinner tables, shifted their collective focus to the corner stage and the singer/songwriter delivering his usual unusual mix of songs other artists have made hits, and some not yet as well known, such as “That’s How I Was Raised,” very recently recorded and released by Alabama, one of only two new songs on their latest CD, “Alabama & Friends.”

Quick change-over on the stage, and Restless Heart kicked off an hour-and-a-half set that kept the crowd enthralled. This group, made up of Larry Stewart, John Dittrich, Greg Jennings, Paul Gregg, Dave Innis, is unique in that the original five who set out 30 years ago to make country music is the same five who performed Thursday night. Not many groups, if any others who have reached such national acclaim as Restless Heart has earned, can say that.

Tony Ramey

Tony Ramey

They sang and played their way through numerous songs from their war-chest of hits, added a few Christmas songs, and through it all kept the crowd clapping hard and on the dance floor. Stewart, who said he has co-written with Ramey when they were both in Nashville, has the smoothest of voices in music, unpretentious yet rich and vibrant no matter what song he is singing. And the instrumentation and backup vocals are just what grizzled vets such as they should deliver.

Afterward, every musician stayed around to shake hands, hug, or otherwise meet their fans. It was a rare Texas appearance for Restless Heart, and after the show, they blazed their way through snow and sleet to make an Oklahoma gig, then on to California and Arizona. Check out their schedule at  RestlessHeartBand.com  and Tony Ramey’s at  TonyRamey.com

Thanks, Grover’s, for such a great night of music.

For photos, click here:

Category: *- Features, Other venues

About the Author ()

In the music production business, including event production, booking, photography, reporting, and other such essentials, since 1980.

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