JD & The Straight Shot

By Michael Yanko 

for Concert Photos Magazine

Live at the Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, FL 1-24-17

When you are selected to be the opening act for a sold out Don Henley concert you have to be doing something right!

The band represents a combination of blues, rock, Americana, country, and bluegrass.

The acoustic set by JD & The Straight Shot was very entertaining and they did a great job warming up the crowd.  JD (James Dolan, yes, THAT James Dolan) was very personable, and what little he may have lacked in vocal skills he more than made up for through rapport with the crowd and an excellent supporting band.  JD wonderfully explained the history and/or meaning of each song and the crowd really seemed to be very responsive to his banter. The band has recorded 6 albums and performed a nice mix of a few older originals and songs off their new album “Ballyhoo.” 

The harmonies with JD and violinist Erin Slaver were very smooth and the musical talent of the band was definitely top notch.

The set list consisted of:

• Glide
• Perdition 
• Nature's Way
• Violet's Song
• Ballyhoo
• Better Find A Church
• I Know, You Know, I Know
• Here He Comes
• Midnight Run 

Even though they are not a household name, JD & The Straight Shot have shared the stage with many famous performers including:  The Eagles, The Allman Brothers Band, ZZ Top, Jewel, Keith Urban, Dixie Chicks, Joe Walsh and Robert Randolph. They have had songs featured in films including “Hurricane Season,” August: Osage County," and "Butter." Their song "Can't Make Tears" is the theme song for AMC's TV show “Hell on Wheels.”

Although not quite a headliner yet I would rate JD & The Straight Shot an “A” as an opening band and I thoroughly enjoyed their performance.     http://www.jdandthestraightshot.com
To see more photos of this band performing go to http://www.abetterdj.net/ROCKLEGENDSPHOTOGRAPHERS/ROCK-CONCERT-PHOTOS/JD-THE-STRAIGHT-SHOT-RUTH-ECKERD-HALL-CLEARWATER-FL-1-24-17/