GRAND FUNK RAILROAD - The American Band - tour reports and photos!
12-18-21 The Villages, FL
Returning to Washington Dulles after the show in Charles Town, GFR was able to get a couple hours of sleep before catching their 7AM flight to Atlanta connecting to their flight to Orlando for their show at The Villages.
Located 60 miles northwest of Orlando, The Villages has become a world renowned retirement community. Grand Funk's show at The Polo Grounds featured a huge audience for a 1st. Class Rock Show presentation with full stage, lights, sound, video and more. It was a beautiful night in central Florida with mild temperature and a Full Moon.
Photo courtesy of the Village Daily Sun
Stage Photos by Don Baker
This was GFR's last show of the 2021 Some Kind Of Wonderful Tour, and we are extremely excited to get going on our 2022 Some Kind Of Wonderful Tour.
See You All Out There Somewhere!
12-17-21 Charles Town, WV
Flying to Washington DC Dulles Airport on 12/16, GFR traveled about 30 miles from Virginia to West Virginia for a return engagement at The Hollywood Casino Event Center. Sitting on the Virginia/West Virginia border, Charles Town is beautiful country featuring rolling hills, vineyards, and horse farms. The horse track at the Hollywood Casino is well known in the equestrian world.
GFR took the stage in The Event Center at 8PM and delivered another blistering Grand Funk Railroad Rock & Roll show.
12-11-21 Florence, IN
Grand Funk Railroad returned to Belterra Casino Resort's Center Stage on Saturday 12/11 for an amazing show. Having played this "Not A Bad Seat In The House" venue several times in the past twenty years, it is always a treat for the band to play here. GFR loves this audience and playing here is a bit like coming home.
With the disastrous Tornadoes in Kentucky only miles away, we are all extremely lucky to have seen only mild conditions in this part of the country. Our hearts go out to all the families that were hit with this tragedy.
Stage Photos by Don Baker
12-03-21 Baton Rouge, LA
The American Band traveled South this week for a show at the L'Auberge Casino Event Center. Sitting right on the Mighty Mississippi, this branch of the L'Auberge Casino chain is a real gem.
GFR drew a gigantic crowd of all ages to their show on 12/3, and it was the biggest audience the casino has seen this year. As GFR hit the stage at 8PM, the crowd was ready to rock and got on their feet. Rockin' through Grand Funk's string of classics, everybody was singing along.
See You All in Baton Rouge next year!
Stage Photos by Don Baker
11-20-21 Miami, FL
The American Band flew South this week for a very "WET" show at the Magic City Casino Amphitheater. The weather moving over the entire East Coast also brought three days of wet drizzle to Miami. Fans that defied the rain crowded to the front of the stage as GFR opened their show. The Amphitheater provided orange rain ponchos for the fans in the uncovered areas of the venue. Grand Funk blasted through their show even though the rain never let up and the audience loved it singing along with all the GFR hits. All in all it was a great night of Classic Rock with 50 year Rock Veterans Foghat opening the show.
Stage Photos by Sunny Quinn
11-13-21 Tulalip, WA
SOLD OUT!!!
10-22-21 Reno, NV
Grand Funk Railroad traveled to beautiful Reno, NV this week for a show at the Grand Sierra Theater. The guys got caught in the airline system shut down in Salt Lake City and were delayed on their trip to Reno. After spending the night in Salt Lake, they were fortunate to catch a flight day of show and make it to Reno in time for sound check.
GFR has played the Grand Sierra once in the past in 2002. The theater boasts the "Largest Stage in the World".
With an extremely enthusiastic crowd, GFR cranked up and delivered a tremendous show of Grand Funk Hits.
Looking forward to another Reno show next year!
10-15-21 Las Vegas, NV
SOLD OUT!
Grand Funk was booked in The Golden Nugget back in 2019 before the Pandemic. Las Vegas and The Nugget closed down for 445 days as a result of Covid. Having played The Nugget many times in the past 10 years, GFR was excited to hear that this date was finally going to play after a long 15 month wait.
The SOLD OUT Showroom was packed and ready to ROCK when GFR hit the stage. On their feet and singing along to all the Grand Funk Hits and even singing The Star Spangled Banner as Bruce played his great rendition on guitar. Another wonderful night at The Golden Nugget!
Stage Photos by Stoney Curtis
Stage Photos by Mark Fullerton
10-09-21 Washington, PA
GFR returned to The Meadows Racetrack Casino in Washington, PA. Having played here Pre-Pandemic and packing the house, GFR was asked back for a repeat performance and the crowd joined them.
Grand Funk took the stage at 8PM and rocked through another great set of GFR Hits. The crowd got out of their seats and rushed the stage as the band hit Closer To Home and American Band.
Looking forward to another return next year!
Stage Photos by Don Baker
10-08-21 Northfield, OH
MGM Center Stage
SOLD OUT! AGAIN!
Yes Cleveland Rocks
Located a few miles outside the birthplace of Rock & Roll Cleveland, Ohio the MGM Center Stage hosted a return performance of Grand Funk Railroad. Cleveland is really the birthplace of Grand Funk Railroad considering the bands first five albums were all recorded at Cleveland Recording.
Welcoming back The American Band was an enthusiastic SOLD OUT crowd that were on their feet the minute GFR hit the stage.
Awesome Night!
Stage Photos by Don Baker
10-03-21 Dallas, TX
Grand Funk rolled into the Texas State Fair in Dallas Sunday and played a great set of GFR hits for a great bunch of Texans. Having played this historic event twice in the past, GFR's third appearance was outstanding!
Rockin' through R&R Soul all the way to American Band, Grand Funk was truly fired up and the crowd loved it. Always a pleasure to be back in Texas!
See you all again soon!
Stage Photos by Don Baker
09-18-21 Kansas City, MO
GFR played the Ameristar Casino Star Pavilion on Saturday to an enthusiastic audience that were definitely "Ready To Rock"! The crowd started dancing as soon as GFR hit The Locomotion and didn't stop until The American Band played American Band. It was great to see our friend Stanley Sheldon who has filled in for us on Bass Guitar in the past. What a wonderful guy and a great musician. It is truly an amazing feeling to be touring and performing again, and we feel extremely fortunate to be able to bring Grand Funk Railroad "OUT ON THE ROAD!"
Stage Photos by Don Baker
09-17-21 Biloxi, MS
The American Band finally was able to play a return engagement at the Biloxi MS Hard Rock that has been postponed numerous times over the past 18 months. Playing her last in 2019 before the Covid Pandemic shut everything down. We would like to thank the thousands of fans that held on to their tickets for 18 months and came out to ROCK with GFR 9/17. We had a great show with the entire audience "Rocking The House". Truly a sight to see, and we hope to back back to the Mississippi Gulf Coast again next Year!
09-10-21 Hyannis, MA
Moving on to Hyannis, again The American Band was ready and the crowd rocked along with them. Singing to Some Kind Of Wonderful, Closer To Home, and We're An American Band as loud as the band played. Awesome to hear!
Stage Photos by Don Baker
Stage Photos by Craig Clingan
09-09-21 Cohasset, MA
Grand Funk flew to Boston this week for two back-to-back shows in the world renowned twin "Tent Theaters". The South Shore Music Circus in Cohasset and The Cape Code Melody Tent in Hyannis. For 60 years these two great entertainment venues have been presenting world class entertainment in the scenic Massachusetts coastal community. GFR kicked off in Cohasset with an enthusiastic crowd that came to their feet from the opening Rock & Roll Soul! The band is really starting to get it's groove back after an 18 month Covid hiatus, and these terrific audiences feel their energy.
Stage Photos by Don Baker
09-05-21 Wauseon, OH
GFR headed to the other side of the great state of Ohio for a show at the Fulton County Fair in Wauseon, Ohio. Once again "Ohioans" turned out in force to see The American Band. With a packed Grand Stand and standing room only in front of the stage, GFR ripped through another great set of Grand Funk Classics.
Opening for Grand Funk was the 80's Hits Producing Group "The Little River Band".
A great night of terrific Classic Rock!
Stage Photos by Don Baker
09-04-21 Portsmouth, OH
What a great weekend! GFR flew to Columbus Ohio for a two day Ohio Run on their "Some Kind of Wonderful Tour". First playing in the great town of Portsmouth on the Ohio River near the West Virginia state line. Drawing a very large crowd for the Portsmouth River Days Festival, the venue had to be moved from riverside to downtown due to recent flooding from the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. Despite the Covid Pandemic and despite the flooding, the crowd still turned out and "Partied Down" with the American Band. Awesome night in Ohio!
Stage Photos by Don Baker
08-27-21 Big Flats, NY
Grand Funk traveled to upstate New York this week to play a show at the World Renowned "Tag's Summer Stage" in Big Flats, NY. Located in the picturesque Adirondacks, Big Flats is a great American town. Tag's Summer Stage is a full size stage and amphitheater that is part of an amazing Entertainment Complex that features a Restaurant, Bar and Driving Range. Tag's hosts many national touring Rock and Country Acts, and Grand Funk's show was part of their Summer Concert Series.
The place was packed with upstate New Yorkers, and they truly came to see The American Band. What a great night it was. With 60's Act The Grass Roots opening the evening and Grand Funk Railroad Smokin' through another awesome GFR set.
Check out the pics!
Stage Photos by Don Baker
08-14 & 15-21 Mt. Pleasant, MI
Grand Funk Railroad & Kid Rock?
SOLD OUT!
GFR came "Closer To Home" this week playing two SOLD OUT shows at the outdoor amphitheater at Soaring Eagle Casino Resort in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. Not far from Grand Funk's home town of Flint. The tickets for this great Michigan Rock Extravaganza went on sale two months ago and SOLD OUT in minutes. What a mix of Michigan Rock Music with GFR's Classic Rock and Kid Rock's Southern, Country, Hip Hop.
Both nights the huge audience was treated to an outstanding show by both acts.
GFR has played the Soaring Eagle several times over the past 24 years, and it is always a good time playing in Central Michigan.
God Bless America!
Check out the pics from the show!
Stage Photos by Don Baker
08-14-21
08-15-21
08-08-21 Webster, MA
WOW!
The American Band returned to Indian Ranch in Webster, MA for it's (count them) 6th. time. First playing this terrific amphitheater in 2001, Grand Funk is one of the most popular acts to play this venue EVER!
Playing on a beautiful Sunday afternoon to a packed crowd from Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New York, Grand Funk played an energized show and the crowd went crazy.
This was like "Coming Home" for the guys and we look forward to playing Indian Ranch again next year.
Awesome!
Stage Photos by Don Baker
08-06-21 Waterloo, NY
SOLD OUT! AGAIN!!
Grand Funk Railroad returned to the Del Lago Casino in Waterloo, NY for another SOLD OUT performance. Having played this great venue twice before in the past several years, GFR was primed and ready for another awesome show.
As soon as the guys hit the stage, the crowd was on their feet. What an amazing feeling for not only the band, but for the audience as well.
Got some great shots to share and the 2021 Some Kind of Wonderful Tour is off and running.
Photo credit Courtesy of BACKSTAGEAXXES.COM
Stage Photos by Don Baker
07-31-21 Marion, IL
"Will Rock for Food"
SOLD OUT!
Having been postponed several times in 2020 due to Covid, GFR finally rocked a Sold Out Marion Civic Center as part of the "Will Rock for Food" Concert series. This was the 9th. year of this great event, and Grand Funk was a perfect fit.
As GFR hit the stage, the multi-generational crowd got to their feet and proceeded to "Party It Down" with The American Band. What a wonderful way to help get food to those struggling to feed themselves and their families. The Marion Ministerial Council and JR Russell have been promoting "Will Rock For Food" through the years, and Grand Funk Railroad wishes them continued success in the future.
Got a few pics to share!
Stage Photos by Don Baker
Next week, Waterloo, NY and Webster, MA.
07-24-21 Walker, MN
MOONDANCE JAM
The Grand Finale!
With both joy and sadness Grand Funk Railroad took part in the very last celebration of a truly GREAT Classic Rock event THE MOONDANCE JAM.
Saturday night 7/24/21 marked the 30th. Anniversary of this amazing three day music festival and also sadly will be the last. The wonderful people who created this Rock & Roll extravaganza have decided to retire. Having started with a small stage in a Minnesota pasture in 1991 and having hosted the biggest names in Rock over the years, they built MOONDANCE into a legendary Rock Festival.
Grand Funk first played MOONDANCE in 1997 and appeared on the iconic stage three more times over 24 years.
GFR hit the 20,000 plus crowd at 6 PM with Rock & Roll Soul and Footsompin' Music. The MOONDANCERS were glad to go along for the ride. The massive crowd seemed to grow in size and intensity as GFR made their way through a great show. Due to a windy Saturday evening, the American Flag blew over during Bruce's Star Spangled Banner. The crowd gasped as Stage Tech Don Baker righted and held the flag upright and the crowd cheered loudly in appreciation.
What an incredible night. Grand Funk, Don Felder of The Eagles, and Cheap Trick closed out this historic chapter in Rock History.
Stage Photos by Don Baker
07-10-21 Chippewa Falls, WI
This Feels Amazing!
Grand Funk is back on the road and rockin' on all cylinders. The American Band took the stage at the Northern Wisconsin State Fair and proceeded to "Kick Out The Jams" to an enthusiastic packed Grand Stand of "Cheese Heads". (Affectionate nick name for folks from Wisconsin).
After only two shows post Covid shut down, GFR is crankin' and we're only getting started. Kicking off with R&R Soul, Footstompin' Music, Shinin' On, Locomotion and finishing with Some Kind of Wonderful, Closer To Home and We're An American Band, the huge crowd was on their feet and partying down.
Warming for GFR was New York's Blue Oyster Cult. I'd say the Northern Wisconsin State Fair was the place to be. Check in next week for Walker, MN and The Moondance Jam!
Stage Photos by Don Baker
07-04-21 Harrisburg, NC
WOW!
Happy Birthday America!
Stage Photos by Don Baker
The American Band Grand Funk Railroad rolled into Charlotte, NC for an amazing 4th. of July Celebration in nearby Harrisburg. Playing a show for this traditional event of 14 years, GFR helped set a new record of 14,000 plus to the new Harrisburg Amphitheater.
After playing a sold out show in Fayetteville 7/2, the guys were primed and ready to give the huge audience a show they will remember. Grand Funk is just getting warmed up after 15 months of Covid seclusion and everybody is ready to Rock!
Thank You Harrisburg!
07-02-21 Fayetteville, GA
SOLD OUT!!!
We're An American Band! AND WE'RE BACK!
After a long 15 months, Grand Funk Railroad took the stage at the Southern Ground Amphitheater in Fayetteville, GA performing an outstanding 85 minute show. As GFR cranked out the hits, the SOLD OUT crowd was on their feet and singing along with every word. The band sounded great, and the guys were thrilled to be back on stage and playing the music they love.
Stage Photos by Don Baker
It can't be said enough how grateful GFR is that we are able to get back on the road and perform for the audiences that have been with us for over 50 years.
Hopefully we are at the beginning of a NEW DAY.
God Bless America!
Previous GRAND FUNK RAILROAD, The American Band, tour reports and photos.
