Concert Reports
.38 Special
07/11/2024, Santa Maria Fairpark
After more than four decades together, 38 SPECIAL continues to bring a signature blast of Southern Rock to over 100 cities a year. And at each and every show, thousands of audience members are amazed by the explosive power of the band's performance. The Band made a Rockin appearance at this year’s Santa Barbara County Fair, July 11th at Santa Maria Fairpark.
All Photos: Ray Soto / Central Coast Rocks
38Special.com
With sales in excess of 20 million, most associate the band with their arena-rock pop smashes, “Hold On Loosely,” “Rockin’ Into the Night,” “Caught Up in You,” “Fantasy Girl,” “If I’d Been the One,” “Back Where You Belong,” “Chain Lightnin’,” “Second Chance,” and more – Timeless hits that remain a staple at radio, immediately recognizable from the first opening chord, and paving the way to their present-day touring regimen. Their many Gold and Platinum album awards stand in testament to the endurance of a legendary powerhouse.
Guitarist/vocalist DON BARNES says it's all about maintaining that intensity in their live shows. “We never wanted to be one of those bands that had maybe gotten a little soft or complacent over the years. We're a team, and it's always been kind of an unspoken rule that we don’t slack up, we stack up. We go out there every night to win.”
Since 1976, the band has released more than 15 albums. And from the start, they’ve toured relentlessly, bringing their signature brand of ‘muscle and melody’ to fans worldwide. It is that steely determination that lives on in the hearts of these ‘Wild-Eyed Southern Boys.'
For 38 Special, being onstage is a celebration of camaraderie and brotherhood, a precision unit bringing the dedication and honesty to a long history of classic songs, as well as surprisingly fresh new material. The current lineup includes Guitarist/vocalist DON BARNES, keyboardist/vocalist BOBBY CAPPS, drummer GARY MOFFATT, bassist BARRY DUNAWAY and guitarist JERRY RIGGS.
Barnes adds, "This music keeps our wheels on the road. We're a band that's tried to stay honest with what has driven us over the years. We started out with nothing but bold determination to make our own history and to endure. Looking back now, it has been our greatest pride to have persevered and attained that level of success and longevity. For us, it's the ultimate validation.”
“The magic's still there,” adds Barnes. "It's an emotional high for us to keep 'bringing it' after all these years. When those lights go down and we all walk up those steps to the stage and hear that crowd roar, it’s a real rush to the head. It feels like we're getting ready to strap ourselves in and it just takes off from there."
The Santa Barbara County Fair offers a unique assortment of activities to do and see and provides visitors with an interesting mix of both community oriented and educational fun. The Fair also features award winning wines, fine art, photography, homemade quilts, horticulture and plenty of entertainment for both young and young at heart.
This agriculturally oriented county fair features the State's largest junior livestock auction, along with plenty of other plant and animal based agricultural exhibits.
The Fair offers a variety of FREE (with paid admission) interactive, kid friendly shows and educational exhibits.
Free attractions also include a wide variety of musical artists each year.
There are plenty of carnival rides, animals, petting zoos, pony rides and of course, lots of fantastic fair food in a wholesome, old-fashioned atmosphere for the whole family to enjoy!
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