It's summer concert time and there's nothing better than seeing a Southern Rock Act, Live under the nights sky? I have seen many MANY concerts in my time and I was thoroughly impressed by the Outlaws when I first saw them, opening for The Charlie Daniels Band at the NYS Fair a whole bunch of years ago.That was when the band still had Hughie Thomason as their main man.

 

 

Then I saw the band last year at Tioga Downs with Henry Paul up front. Loved em so much. Henry has been in the band off and on for a number of years. These are some guys that I would love to have come to Spiedifest some year.

 

The Outlaws’ mix of country and rock elements displays the vocal harmony influences of groups like Buffalo Springfield, the Byrds, and Poco. Their use of three and four part harmonies set them apart from their contemporaries who usually relied on a single lead vocalist.

 

Hughie Thomasson's signature guitar playing style and voice were defining characteristics of the band's sound. Thomasson's guitar sound was underpinned by the use of the Fender Stratocaster (and sometimes a Fender Telecaster) played in a quasi-country style mixed with fluid, quick blues runs. Hughie was nicknamed "The Flame" for his flaming fast guitar work. He is a member of the Fender Hall of Fame.

 

The other lead guitarist, Billy Jones, played mainly a Gibson Les Paul and switched between a clean and distorted sound. A good example of this can be heard on "Green Grass and High Tides" on the right stereo channel. Hughie Thomasson's smooth Stratocaster sound can be heard on the left channel. Thomasson opens the first solo at the intro and plays the first half of the two succeeding longer solos all on the right channel. Take a listen to it... during this Tribute to the Lynyrd Skynyrd Band....

 

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