World Stage February 2006
By Banks Winston

juggernaut ~ noun
• a huge, powerful, and overwhelming force or institution

leviathan ~ noun
• a thing that is very large or powerful

I consulted Webster to find a few all-encompassing words to describe the World Stage show that took place on February 18th last in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, and these two pretty much say it all. Jim Peterik's World Stage is a huge and powerful overwhelming force. Well, that sounds ominous, but then again, we Americans like our musical forces huge and powerful, and if they overwhelm us, then...damn, we got our money's worth. The top ducats for the WS show at The College Of DuPage's McAninch center went for $42 (if you could get one), but the value was many times that.

For the uninitiated, Jim Peterik is a writer's writer, who has had hit records in each of the past five decades. From his first smash "Vehicle" with The Ides Of March in 1970 to... "Vehicle" by Bo Bice in 2005; Jim has made a lot of friends in the songwriting world, and has had a boatload of hits with them. About five years ago, Jim made a record with some of those friends (Like Johnny VanZant of Skynyrd, Don Barnes of .38 Special, Rick and Bun E. from Cheap Trick, and Dennis DeYoung from Styx ) and mounted a concert that featured some of those same folks playing the songs they co-wrote, and their own hits. The show was a knockout, and each year since, Jim has rounded up the troops and mounted this must-see event. Did I mention that it sold out many weeks before curtain time? And that it sold out on reputation? NONE of the star guest’s names were mentioned in the adverts, with the exception of JP himself.

The coldest days of the 2006 winter didn’t dint the attendance as the raga-like intro to “Night Of The World Stage” drifted into the Mac Auditorium, and as the lights came up, JP entered from the rear of the house, playing the guitar and singing via wireless magic, strolling up to join  Jeff Boyle( right,) and the fabulous World Stage Band were already hitting the note. After 6 years of doing these shows, traditions are starting to take root. One of these is that Jeff Boyle “owns” the second song of the evening, and it’s always a sensation. This year Jeff sang of his perfect world, where angels ride Harleys, and the “Cubs Win”.

This was going to be a great night.

Jim Peterik’s new solo album “Above The Storm” is due in the Spring, and he previewed it with a rousing new song “Live Life”, after which he introduced Toby Hitchcock (left) for a 3-song set featuring a rare stateside appearance of Jim’s “Pride Of Lions”. In order to see this band, you usually must be a resident of Belgium, or Germany. In any case, you’re probably going to need a passport in order to see “POL” live, but here they were, in the flesh. The first of many “show stoppers” occurred when Toby stepped forward to perform what many feel is Jim’s greatest ballad “The Search Is Over”. Jimi Jamison thrilled on Survivor’s original record, and JP’s own take on the tune is a highlight of any Ides Of March show, so Toby’s task was daunting. We all knew this kid could sing, but could he show us something “we ain’t seen before”? Yes, in technicolor, and that’s the last time I’ll refer to Toby as “the kid”.

The row of singers stage left at any World Stage show aren’t just faceless droids. They’re top talents, each with their own successful career, and Jim makes sure that each gets to strut their stuff. The first of the evening was the powerhouse Lisa McClowry (right,) who somehow manages to be wildly sexy and purely wholesome at the same time. And ooh! That voice! Lisa rocked out Nashville-style on a new tune of Jim’s “My Aim’s Getting Better”. Bulls-eye, Lisa, bulls-eye!

Only a big-time star could follow a performance like Lisa’s, so Jim introduced Rik Emmett, who was the singer and virtuoso guitarist of Canada’s great melodic rock band Triumph. Rik (on right in the photo) and his band’s second guitarist, Dave Dunlop, proceeded with an acoustic duet that demonstrated their astonishing skills. With Jim and the World Stage Band back in force, Rik blazed through two of Triumph’s triumphant hits “Lay It On The Line” and “Magic Power”, before Rik had to skedaddle down to the House Of Blues to play his own sold-out show there.

Keeping with the Canadian thing, next up was Toronto’s Anthony Gomes, a World Stage stalwart who was greeted with a standing ovation before he played a note. Anthony’s known as a blues-man, but tonight he showed 2 very different sides. The first was a retro-rocker rife with a Hendrix-like spirit entitled “Bring It”. You could almost smell the patchouli in the air. Or was it burning metal from the guitar strings during the solo-duel between Anthony and JP? Next from Anthony was an unexpected pop tune “Anywhere You Run”. Although the crowd stood up again, Anth had to dash to play his own show down at the venerable downtown blues shrine Kingston Mines.

Here’s a hint. Don’t ever try to play “can you top this?” with Jim Peterik. He’ll graciously beat you every time, and you’ll thank him for it. Case in point-how do you end a first act like the one described above? Simple, call out three of the finest singers anywhere, and have them go to town on one of Survivor’s biggest hits. First, from that line of harmony singers, Thom Griffin, whose name you might not know, but whose voice you do, if you own a television or radio and heard a commercial or twenty. Second, the already-mentioned Toby Hitchcock, and to complete the hat-trick, the sublime master of melodic rock Kevin Chalfant of the Storm and 707. Jim dubbed them the “Three Tenors”, and the song they elevated was “I Can’t Hold Back”. No, they didn’t hold back, and who knew boys could sing that high? It was like dessert in the middle of a meal. That performance would have been a worthy encore of any other concert, but it was only the end of World Stage’s act one.

After the break, the mighty mighty Ides Of March took the stage for a three-song mini-set. Fan fave “Age Before Beauty” led into the song that Jim premiered 2 years ago at World Stage-“Come Dancing”. The Ides’ shimmering vocal harmonies wove like silk around Jim’s poignant lead, while the images above the stage (on Terry Becker’s wonderful video presentation) were scenes from the movie “American President” that inspired the song. An Ides Of March appearance wouldn’t be complete without “Vehicle”, and Jim had another ace up his sleeve. Jim’s son Colin (left) has been steadily progressing in his own musical aspirations. Singing, writing and playing keyboards. Jim called Colin out of the audience to sing the big hit with him. Colin’s shy demeanor belied the confidence with which he belted out the familiar lyrics. Most Dads toss a baseball around with their sons, Jim and Colin tossed verses of one of the all-time rock classics. It’s hard to say who’s luckier, Jim or Colin. Let’s call it a draw.

Following the Ides Of March is a daunting task, even for big-name artists; but Kimi Hayes didn’t step off the harmony singer platform with anything less than a mission to bring down the house. Joined by her band-mate, the irrepressible Paula Marr on bass, they did exactly that. Their bluesy number “Beautiful As You” had Kimi and her huge voice wrenching out every last drop of soul, while Paula patrolled the stage like a jungle cat.

The divine Kevin Chalfant was back next for his mini-set of hits that started with one he wrote for Cher. Lisa McClowry joined Kev to sing “Who You Gonna Believe” in duet, with Lisa “channeling” the diva with eerie precision.

To say that Kevin has one of the finest voices in Rock is an understatement. The soaring tenor was heartbreaking in the performances of “Show Me The Way” and “Lot To Learn”.

It was at this point that the whole show went south.

That doesn’t mean that things took a turn for the worse, it means that it was time for the Country-rock of Blackhawk’s (and the Outlaws) Henry Paul. “Big Guitar” kicked it off, and Henry’s distinctive voice and stage presence warmed the crowd like only a good-old-boy can. “Let ‘Em Whirl” featured Henry’s mandolin and was the calm before the storm of “Brothers Of The Southland”. The tribute to the fallen Southern Rock heroes (co-written by Jim P) has been a highlight of every appearance that Henry has made with World Stage, It’s a bittersweet song of joy tempered with loss, culminating in the kind of celebratory jam session that the subjects of the tune were famous for. Again, this would have made a spectacular encore for any other concert, but things were just heating up.

.38 Special’s Don Barnes made his welcome return to World Stage after a number of years to a standing ovation. Jim Peterik and Don (along with the other guys in .38) have had a grand relationship throughout the years, and their platinum chart-toppers are the icing on the cake. Don’s southern-gentleman charm, great voice, and rocking guitar playing put the party into high gear. “Fantasy Girl”, “Chain Lightning”, and “Hold On Loosely” were the hits chosen for Don’s set, and the interplay between the long-time friends was pure enjoyment. If the lighting system would have failed, the audience would still have been able to see the show, with the energy that shone from the stage during Don’s set.

For a show that has his name on it, Jim more often than not turns the spotlight over to his colleagues. But for the final turn of the night, Jim stepped up to do his greatest hit “Eye Of The Tiger”. Beginning with a tour-de-force unaccompanied guitar solo of fierce passion, the timeless song launched into overdrive. The vocals were shared by Jim and Jeff Boyle; then Jim took his guitar solo on the road, delving into the audience courtesy of the wireless hookup. And then it was over.

But not if the audience had its way. Don Barnes came back, (along with everyone else) to do the encore:“Rockin Into The Night”. Kimi Hayes took the duet with Don, and after nearly three and one-half hours, World Stage 2006 reluctantly came to a close.

Jim Peterik is the heart and soul of World Stage, but the engine that powers the whole thing is the extraordinary band that Jim has assembled to support the varied performers who are featured. There are stunning solos throughout the night, but the true virtuosity of these master musicians is displayed in the way that they re-create the sounds, themes and overall “vibe” of each of the featured performer’s style. From Rock to Blues to Country to Jazz and Pop, the World Stage Band morphs effortlessly into the right feel. It ain’t effortless, by the way. These guys work very hard for weeks before the show. Guitarists Mike Aquino and Joel Hoekstra compliment each other perfectly, and the usual ego-tripping that goes on between rock guitar players is replaced here by a mutual respect that inspires both to reach beyond and play at a level that defies classification. The Rhythm Section of Ed Breckenfeld and Klem Hayes might even have a tougher job. With so many players and singers, the beat has to be perfect, and the feel has to be right. Ed and Klem are the GPS of the group. They are greater than a backbone, more like a superstructure. Christian Cullen is the detail man on keyboards. He provides the orchestral and textural elements that make each segment unique. And when there is no call for orchestration, he plays the hell out of the piano-in any style that is called for.

To complete the band, Jim relies on a few familiar faces from the Ides Of March-Chuck Soumar on Percussion, Scott May on Hammond Organ, and the Ides’ “Babushka Brass”: John Larsen on Lead Trumpet, Dave Stahlberg on Trombone, Bob Bergland on Tenor Sax, and Chuck Soumar back on Trumpet.

World Stage has taken on a life of its own. A juggernaut of talent for music’s sake. Yes, the tickets cost money, but Jim usually has to dip into his own pockets to make the show come off. Music changes lives, alters consciousness, brings back memories and creates new ones. Love is born to the sound of music, and when love dies, music is a constant companion. Songs, especially Jim Peterik’s songs, put our stories into plain language.

Most concerts have a distinct line drawn between performer and audience. Not so World Stage. Think of the name itself. Audience and performers celebrating music.

Perfect.