MARK FARNER'S AMERICAN BAND RAISES THE ROOF OFF OF THE DANIA BEACH CASINO
AND LEAVES FANS WANTING MORE.
Starting the New Year off right, Mark Farner's American Band rolled into South Florida for a stellar performance at the Dania Beach Casino last night. This sold-out performance was way more than I was expecting, exceeding my expectations and delivering a 14 song set that blew everyone away.
Mark Farner is best known as the singer, songwriter, and guitarist in the classic rock band Grand Funk Railroad. Farner is celebrating 50 years in the music business and shows no sign of stopping any time soon.
Farner took to the stage with the energy of a 12 year old and broke into the classic song We're An American Band. This kick-off song ended with a standing ovation and went right into Are You Ready, Rock & Roll Soul, and Foot Stompin' Music.
For this show, Farner played his familiar red Parker Fly guitar that he affectionately calls Baby. He has used Fly guitars since 1997, which are a lot lighter than a strat or Les Paul that he used to play. Also, it gives us that great classic Grand Funk Railroad sound that we love so much.
The venue for this night's performance is a great place to see live music. The acoustics rang throughout the venue with every note and power-chord that Farner played, ringing loud and clear. This venue, along with Farners music, was a marriage that worked perfectly together.
Farner and the band went on to play Shinin' On, Locomotion, Some Kinda Wonderful, Inside lookin' Out, and came to an end with I'm Your Captain/Closer To Home which he dedicated to those in or retired from military service. Farner is also a man that like to give back. We approached him about signing a guitar that will benefit the One Love Bahamas Charity Concert that will take place here in Pompano Beach on February 8, 202 and without hesitation, he said yes, and did so.
This concert again, was more that I was expecting. High energy, classic Grand Funk Railroad songs that sound exactly like the original recordings, and a donation to charity. Farner also stayed after the show to talk and sign autographs for each and every person that stayed behind. Farner obviously knows who has supported and kept his music going for fifty years. What a great way to show it.
