As recently as last year, Paul and the Raiders, held performances to support our troops. He's a patriot and puts on a funny show. Their schtick is self-effacing and most times, spontaneous. Depending on the venue, they usually sell out their dates, with little to no promotion. The music and band's silly choreography are entertaining, and Paul's interspersed remarks are funny as hell.
If you get a chance to see them, it's money well spent...unlike some nostalgia groups. They play venues as small as nite clubs and as large as multi-thousand ticket fairs and concerts. They just enjoy what they do.
Thanks Navy Vet. I'd gladly pay to see their show. Not far from Reno and such bands will play from time to time.
What bothers me is that too few bands today want to emulate the message of old: love songs. These are very American and were best performed by the likes of Aretha Franklin, the Supremes, the Mamas and Papas, early Beatles, Neil Diamond, etc. and a host of others. Yes, I listen to oldies when I tire of talk radio. Which happens often.
As a bluegrass musician myself, something about all music is that it must pass the test of time, and when it does, it's American music. I often think back to a time (age 13) when I slow-danced with a girl in Fresno to Percy Sledge's "When a man loves a woman". Haven't seen her since, moved to Connecticut that year. And the Righteous Brother's "Unchained Melody", look out, fire in the hole! But it was America then. And each time I hear them, it's America now.
In short, love beats hate handsdown. Our entertainers and cultural icons should understand that love in it's many forms is truly American. Brings me back to the Beatles: All you need is Love. I think they said a lot with this tune and perhaps, all we need, is to heed it. (dang Beatles were that good.)