"Play Misty for Me" - My Blue Sky debuts Rock & Rails

With only three concerts left after Aug. 8, Rock & Rails fans were determined to attend Thursday's concert despite the weather. A chilly and rainy day set the stage for the evening, with mist and cool temperatures persisting throughout the entire concert, limiting the crowd size.

The evening kicked off with Gunbarrel resident and country music artist Dean Himes. A 2022 inductee into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame, Himes brought a mix of heartfelt originals as well as well-loved covers to the stage. Known for his relatable lyrics, Himes immediately connected with the crowd, which grew in size throughout the set.

Himes tugged on the crowd's heartstrings with a tribute to first responders, speaking to their hard work and time spent fighting local fires during the past couple of weeks. Himes also added a multitude of covers to his set, including songs by Del Shannon, Johnny Cash, and George Strait.

Throughout his performance, the "Bubble Man," as Himes affectionately called him, entertained children dressed in their rain gear on the dance floor with a cascade of bubbles, creating a memorable evening for kids as they stomped through puddles trying to catch the bubbles.

As the rain continued to drizzle, My Blue Sky took the stage early as the headliner for the night. This was their debut at Rock & Rails, and they were eager to make an impression. My Blue Sky is a local band dedicated to honoring the music of The Allman Brothers Band. The group performs both classic Allman Brothers songs and original music that channels a '70s rock vibe.

The band opened with "End of the Line," immediately drawing the crowd in, before band member John Gallagher introduced the band. "We're 'My Blue Sky,'" he said with a laugh, gesturing to the rain clouds.

The band's setlist was a journey through the Allman Brothers' catalog, featuring classics such as "Ramblin' Man" and "Rockin' Horse." Each song was met with enthusiastic cheers from the dance floor and beyond. The band also featured a multitude of instrumental songs, including the iconic guitar tune, "Jessica." My Blue Sky decided to push through the concert without the scheduled break at 7:30 p.m., providing a nonstop stream of music from the stage for more than two-and-one-half hours, something no other band had ever done at Rock & Rails.

The ambiance of Thursday evening was aided by the passing of two trains, one heading south during Himes' set, and the other heading north during My Blue Sky's set. Both times the conductor waved at the crowd and the crowd waved back, but neither sounded their horns.

Gallagher fixed that after the second train had passed by creating a similar noise with his harmonica. According to Rock & Rails legend, a train passing during the event is good luck, which means attendees of the Aug. 8 concert have doubled their luck.

The band members include NHS graduates and band drummers and vocalists Dan Jones and Jamie McGregor, Niwot resident Rob Smith on keyboard, Tim Kestle on guitars and vocals, Troy Benns on guitars, David Brandt on bass and vocals, and Gallagher on vocals and guitar.

McGregor and Jones provided a well-coordinated percussion interlude, which included a drum cadence from their days in the Niwot High School marching band. McGregor, a former NHS tennis player, ended the night by reminding the audience that "Niwot" spelled backward is "To Win."

The tip jar recipient was the Niwot High School Education Foundation, which provides scholarships for students, funding for field trips, and education grants for teachers. The tip jar total of the night was over $1,000 and represented over 33% of the alcohol sales revenues, a new record for the event.

The Aug. 15 concert will feature Charted Territory opening for FACE. The tip jar recipients will be the JARED Foundation and the NCAA's Volunteer Appreciation Fund.