Plain City, Ohio
Plain City’s best kept secret? Or perhaps not. This past weekend Ron Keel and the Ron Keel Band made the annual trip to Lee’s Sports and Spirits in Plain City, Ohio. An annual show that Ron has been doing for more than a decade since giving birth to the IronHorse band right here in this quiet little Ohio village in 2000. There is a very special place in the heart of the community for Ron and his band; as well there is a special place in Ron’s heart for the community. Over the years Ron and his band have returned to Plain City to help support and give back to the community, performing shows and working charity events to help those in need.
Friends, family and fans flocked to Plain City over the weekend, some I hear driving as much as 4 hours to see the performance and show their support. Some of the fans here have been with Ron since the “Steeler” and “Keel” days of the early 80’s while many in the area had only gotten their first taste during the “IronHorse” years. Ron certainly did not disappoint any of them; before each set of the 3 days of performances, Ron took time to mingle with the crowd, sharing drinks and stories with anyone who wanted to listen. Signing autographs and pausing for more than a few photos with family, friends and fans. Ron also had copies of his latest “Metal Cowboy” CD and his official autobiography “Even Keel: Life On The Streets Of Rock & Roll” on hand which he also took the time to sign and personalize for the fans.
The weekend kicked off on Thursday evening with an awesome acoustical set of Ron’s personal favorites, a good bit of storytelling and few bad jokes tossed in the mix. Just kidding Ron, the jokes really weren’t all that bad, we all a great time and a lot of good laughs!! One story which I am very fond of myself, though I am not 100% sure if he actually told it this time, is about rehearsing with IronHorse in a local barn when a neighbor would drive by yelling “Play some AC/DC!!!” Which gave birth to Plain City’s own version of “Sin City” which has become a regular staple of every show when the band plays in town. You can read more about that story and others in “Even Keel: Life On The Streets Of Rock & Roll”.
Following up the solo acoustic set the entire Ron Keel Band; featuring Geno Arce on bass, Dave Cothern on Lead Guitar and Dann Burd on drums, hit the stage on Friday and Saturday night for two days of power riffs, screaming rock vocals, ripping guitar solos, heart pounding drums and loud rock and roll. Ron Keel is self-proclaimed story teller and it certainly shows in the lyrics of every song each of which relates to a special story or meaning contained within. Both sets included classics from “Keel”, “IronHorse” as well as some yet to be classics from the new “Metal Cowboy” ending with Plain City’s own version of Sin City and the powerful “Keel” hit “The Right to Rock”, with fist pumping and people dancing, not a single person in the place was sitting down for that!! After the final set on Saturday the band stuck around, talking with fans and posing for a few more photos. It was a really great time filled with good food, good drink, good music and most of all good friends. See you again next year!!!
Set list:
Last Ride / Long Gone Bad
What Would Skynyrd Do
The Best Move
3 Sheets To The Wind
Just Like Tennessee
I Can’t Stop You
Rescued
Because The Night
Tears Of Fire
Rock N Roll Outlaw
American Thunder
Haunted Saloon
(Solo Acoustic set – Band Break)
3 Chord Drinkin’ Song
Shooting Star
Wild Forever
The Cowboy Road
Sin City/The Right To Rock
You can learn about Ron Keel, get updates and upcoming tour information at http://ronkeel.com.
Ron Keel also hosts a radio show called the streets of Rock & Roll (http://ronkeelshow.com); every Tuesday night at 8 PM Eastern / 5 PM Pacific you can call Ron and get on the air or leave a voice mail anytime (702) 425-5090.