ALWAYS JOVI

On Location Review by: Lori Smerilson Carson | Photos: Kara Uhrlen

Closing my eyes, I went back to New Jersey at the Meadowlands Arena and relived a New Year’s Eve Bon Jovi concert! In reality though, I was in New Philadelphia, Ohio at the Performing Arts Center at Kent State Tuscarawas, living the experience of seeing ALWAYS JOVI!

Led by Guitarist/Vocalist Steve Brown, he and bandmates Guitarist Fred Gorhau, Vocalist Devon Marie, Bassist Kevin Humphris, Keyboardist Chris McCoy and Drummer Frankie D’Esposito start the trip down memory lane with “Raise Your Hands”, flowing easily into “You Give Love a Bad Name”, “Born to Be My Baby” and where it all started, “Runaway”. They continued playing fan favorites which totally engaged the audience to sing and dance right into Brown and Devon Marie’s duet “Who Says You Can’t Go Home” which one would think they were listening to Jon Bon Jovi and Jennifer Nettles. The crowd stayed enthusiastic through “In and Out of Love” where Brown spoke to the audience, thanking Jon for his help back in the early days of Trixter. He said, “I wouldn’t be here if not for him.”

They continued with high energy and pure emotion during “Bed of Roses” where Brown and Devon Marie again joined extraordinary vocal forces. The band each displayed their individual outstanding musical abilities as this tribute ventured on with hits like “Have A Nice Day”, “Only Lonely” “Wanted Dead or Alive” and wrapping up the incredible evening with “Livin’ on a Prayer” leaving the audience singing and dancing. Definitely a memorable evening to stay with fans for years to come!