38 Special ~ LOUD & PROUD 2008 TOUR

38 Special has the well deserved reputation of being one of the hardest working bands in the USA is still playing more than 100 shows per year. And at every one of them, thousands of audience members are completely blindsided by the power and muscle of the band's performance. "When we come out, people are like, 'Whoa! It's like a freight train rolling over them..." says vocalist/guitarist Don Barnes. While most associate the group with its arena-rock '80s pop smashes, these days the band's harder edge is what is immediately noticeable. Barnes says it's all about maintaining the intensity that they deliver in their live shows.

Welcome to the newly designed 38 Special site. Be sure to check out the Photos Area in the Multi-Media section for recent tour photographs.

38 Special Joins Volunteer Jam 2008

(Nashville, TN - April 14th, 2008) The Charlie Daniels Band, 38 Special and Shooter Jennings  kicked off the 2008 Volunteer Jam in Harris, Michigan on Friday night before a full house.  While it was freezing outside with over 6 inches of snow on the ground, it was blazing hot inside the Island Resort and Casino.  As in Volunteer Jam tradition,  Daniels invited members of 38 Special and Shooter Jennings to join him onstage for a "jam session" to conclude the show. 

The 2008 Volunteer Jam Tour dates are:

4-11-08 Harris, MI - Island Resort & Casino
4-12-08 Harris, MI - Island Resort & Casino
4-18-08 West Palm Beach, FL - Cruzan Amphitheatre
4-19-08 Winger Haven, FL - Cypress Gardens
4-24-08 Bartlesville, OK - Million Dollar Elm Casino
4-25-08 Fayetteville, AR - Dickson Street Music Festival
4-26-08 Kinder, LA - Coushatta Casino Resort
5-9-08 Lake Buena Vista, FL - House of Blues
5-10-08 Valdosta, GA - Wild Adventures
5-16-08 N. Myrtle Beach, SC - Hard Rock Park
5-17-08 Tuscumbia, AL - Alabama Music Hall of Fame
5-28-08 Colorado Springs, CO - World Arena
5-29-08 Albuquerque, NM - Isleta Gaming Casino Showroom
5-30-08 Salt Lake City, UT- Usana Amphitheatre
5-31-08 Las Vegas, NV - Orleans Arena
6-1-08 Tucson, AZ - Anselmo Valencia Amphitheatre
6-6-08 Indio, CA - Fantasy Springs Casino Event Center
6-7-08 Kelseyville, CA - Konocti Field Amphitheatre
6-8-08 Palmdale, CA - Palmdale Amphitheatre
6-19-08 Westbury, NY - North Fork Theatre
6-20-08 Champion, PA - Seven Springs Mountain Resort
6-21-08 Guilford, NH - Meadowbrook Musical Arts Center
6-28-08 Hoffman Estates, IL - Sears Centre
7-4-08 Blue Ash, OH - Blue Ash Sports Center
7-18-08 Sevierville, TN - Smokies Stadium
7-19-08 Baltimore, MD - Pier Six Concert Pavilion
8-8-08 Sedalia, MO - Missouri State Fair
8-9-08 West Allis, WI - Wisconsin State Fair
8-12-08 Des Moines, IA - Iowa State Fair
8-14-08 Lewisburg, WV - State Fair of West Virginia

38 SPECIAL Brings Some Smiles

38 Special was honored to sing the National Anthem at Tropicana Stadium for a home game for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Dressed in Team Shirts for the Rays, they provided a wonderful rendition of the song accompanied on acoustic guitar by Danny Chauncey. Donnie Van Zant then tossed out the first pitch (High and a BIT Outside LOL)

Afterward they were escorted from the stadium and were driven to the All-Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg.  This was the hospital that they were playing a benefit for in Vinoy Park that very evening. It is a hospital for many kids who are in need of surgery due to brain tumors and cancer, along with injuries from car accidents etc. Needless to say, it was a very sobering experience for them all after being elated at the ball park.  But, at the same time, it was truly a moving experience. They all went from room to room visiting patients and their families.

"Listening to each story and circumstance, it definitely puts into perspective how fortunate we all are to have healthy children as well as our own health," said Don Barnes.  "It was a VERY emotional but heartwarming experience for all involved."

38 Special Brings Down The House
By Kristine Escoto
The Sierra Star

Lights dimmed, smoke wafted and a calm silence surrounded the arena - southern rock group 38 Special made their entrance into the Half Dome Theater at the Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino Sunday [Oct. 3] afternoon to a welcoming audience.

Don Barnes, Donnie Van Zant, Larry “LJ” Junstrom, Danny Chauncey, Bobby Capps and Gary Moffatt entered the stage with the energy of a young band; you wouldn’t think these guys have been on stage for nearly 30 years.

Donnie Van Zant asked the crowd if they were ready to get crazy. Fans were up on their feet ready to rock. The band opened the show with their hit, “Rockin’ Into The Night” from their 1979 album of the same name.

Barnes’ voice is as strong and powerful as it was in the beginning of his career. Van Zant worked the crowd like the seasoned pro that he is. He has such an uplifting attitude, you wouldn’t think this man’s life has been marred by tragedy. He recently lost his father and the tragic death of his brother, Ronnie Van Zant front man for Lynyrd Skynyrd, forever changed his life.

“It was hard on Donnie,” Barnes said. “The Van Zant family has had a lot of tragedy. Donnie is such a good-hearted guy. It’s been hard to watch him lose most of his family members. Donnie’s dad would give us pep talks about drugs and alcohol and rock ‘n’ roll; Lacy Van Zant was such an incredible man.”

The band just released a new album called Drivetrain that Barnes calls, “meaty rock.” Barnes’ and Chauncey’s guitar licks on the song “Hurts Like Love,” are reminiscent of their early work. The band’s funky, dirty, southern rock hasn’t gone out of style. “Hurts Like Love” pulled me back to the early 80s where rock was big and hair was bigger.

The evening continued with hard-rock hits. Van Zant told the crowd it was time to slow it down. “This next song is dedicated to a man, who had such an influence on many people. This is a man who bought my first amp and told me that music is in my blood. I dedicate this song to my brother Ronnie.” Van Zant then belted out, “Rebel to Rebel.” It was a soulful tribute with intense guitar riffs.

The band had their latest CD, Drivetrain, available for sale. The first 30 fans were gifted with signed CDs.
It was apparent the guys were very comfortable on stage. There was no security at the bottom of the stage. The band encouraged the fans to get close. They included the audience at every moment. Bobby Capps on keyboards kept the audience involved even from the back of the stage. He looked like a Robert Plant/Sammy Hager hybrid. Capps’ vocals on the 1988 track “Second Chance,” were melodic and soulful. Bassist Larry “LJ” Junstrom looked like he belonged in the ZZ Top band; he had a long, black trench coat and his hat was filled with his long hair. Danny Chauncey was introspective and expressive.

After “Rebel to Rebel,” the band members left the stage one-by-one to give each performer the chance to showcase their talents. Drummer Gary Moffatt stayed while the other members of the band took a break. Moffatt continued with a fantastic seven minute drum solo. Red lights shined through his drums leaving an entrancing visual. Smoke once again poured from the bottom of the drum set. Lights were dimmed and the band members emerged from the smoke. Has the phoenix risen from the ashes?

The band performed a collaboration of numerous songs, “Somebody Like You,” “Teacher Teacher,” “Stone Cold Believer,” and “So Caught Up In You.” The fans began to bond; forty-something men played their air guitars, banged their heads and high-fived each other. Forty-something women pushed to the front hoping to get as close to the stars as possible. Each member then left the stage.

Fans demanded an encore, and got it. The wild-eyed southern boys played “Chain Lightening” and rolled into the song fans waited for - “Hold On Loosely.” 38 Special played more songs during their performance than was thought possible.

“This is the greatest job in the world,” Barnes said. “Making people happy is a blessing. Donnie’s been a friend since we were 12 years old and we are still friends after all these years. It’s mutual respect and love that keeps us sane.”

Barnes explains that he loves what he does but it’s time to go home. “It’s a sacrifice being away from our families,” he said. “I want to be in the family videos too,” he laughed. “My family is my number one priority.”

The band played in Irvine, with Reo Speedwagon, Styx and Boston, before coming to the casino. “We played to a crowd of 20,000 and we give just as much as we do to a smaller crowd. It’s 100 percent all the time.”

I recently had a conversation with a friend discussing today’s music. I was convinced that rock ‘n’ roll was dead; 38 Special has awakened the dead.

Ernie Ball strings and picks, DiMarzio Pickups,
PEARL Drums, EVANS Drumheads,
SABIAN Cymbals, VIC FIRTH Drumsticks,
AUDIX Microphones, GROOVEJUICE,
DAndrea Picks, Line 6, Tone Pros Bridges,
Sennheiser Radios, Gibson Guitars,
Ed Beaver Guitars in Nashville, Tour Supplies.

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38 Special, A&M Records, Razor & Tie Entertainment,
Sanctuary Records or CMC International

© 2008 38 Special.com