For the 20th anniversary of the Shellabration concert series in Fort Dodge the organizers knew they needed a big show. For classic rock fans, and reality TV fans, it doesn't get much bigger than Bret Michaels, so that's who they got for a headliner. Then they went after southern rock superstars Molly Hatchet for the middle act. And as the opener, local band Lone Tree Revival started things off.
Even the weather seemed to get out of the way, with rain falling all morning all around the Rogers sports complex. But by the time the crowd started to be let in, there were only clear blue skies over the venue. And even the ground seemed bone dry.
The crowd was enormous, and there were several Eagle Grove faces to be seen. Lone Tree started things off with a medley of classic rock covers with their own unique spin. The band's lineup is drummer Dean Davis, Dan Cassady on trombone, Steve Nelson on the saxophone, Sean Minikis on guitar and vocals along with Jeremy Ober, and Jeremy Pearson on bass guitar and vocals. They held their own against Molly Hatchet, who found them not such an easy act to follow.
In their 40th year on the road, Molly Hatchet played their hearts out in what was only the 3rd show with the band for new vocalist Tony Mikus, previously of Big Engine. Guitarist Bobby Ingraham, however, had been with the band 32 years, and a long time friend to Mikus. Mikus ably led the venerable Florida croc rock band, and at one point gave a touching shout-out to all the veterans in the audience.
"I want to thank all of 'em that have ever served our country. I hope all of them that are serving now are gonna come home soon, and safe. And if you've got anybody serving you let 'em know that we're thinking about 'em every single day."
Before their set was over Hatchet played their biggest hits, including “Flirtin’ With Disaster,” "Whiskey Man," and "Gator Country", and performed a few deeper cuts as well.
Then as the sun set, it was time for the main headliner. Poison frontman Bret Michaels, due to reunite with his old band for a major summer tour including dates with Joan Jet and Motley Crue. And North Iowa concert goers were able to see him for as little as $40 a ticket, when he'll play for upwards of $100 a ticket for the rest of the summer.
The air buzzed with energy as Michaels took the stage, and he wasted no time jumping into it. He rocked his way through hits like “Nothing But a Good Time,” “Talk Dirty To Me,” and “Unskinny Bop,” just to name a few.
Michaels seemed impressed with the energy and excitement of the Iowa crowd, remarking that if this is how his summer concerts were starting out, he wasn't worried about how things would go. And just a few songs in, he pledged to return for next year's Shellabration, if invited. "Let's do this again next year," Michaels said, "I mean it!"
