No Shoes Nation Band
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Written By Christine Paige
Warm Summer evening for No Shoes Nation Band: A Tribute to Kenney Chesney at The Ballpark in Old Orchard Beach August 25, 2021
The No Shoes Nation Band is made up of a group of six seasoned musicians. Danny “Wray” Bergeron takes on lead vocals. Lead guitarist is Rick Risti. Bob Catatlano, “Bob Cat,” is on bass and vocals. On keyboard and vocals is Larry Novak. Larry Shea is on the drums. Leo Melanson plays various strings for the NSNB including guitar, pedal steel guitar, and the fiddle.
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It was a perfect Maine summer evening when the premier Kenny Chesney Tribute band, No Shoes Nation Band, took the stage at The Ballpark in Old Orchard Beach. The crowd streamed into the park to sit at picnic tables, on folding chairs, or blankets. The concession stand was open for business with food and drinks on the warm summer evening. Friends and families were everywhere, children ran and played while waiting for the show to start. Just as the sun was starting to dip below the trees, No Shoes Nation Band took the stage opening with the Chesney hit, Reality. The crowd started tapping their feet as the escape from reality started for the evening.
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The beautiful night continued as the sun slowly set to the sounds of No Shoes Nation Band delivering their renditions of some of Chesney’s greatest hits. Attendees danced and sang along to hit songs such as “Till it’s Gone,” “Summertime,” and” Everything’s Gonna Be Alright.” Couples and families swayed to ballads such as “Anything But Mine.”
Mid way through the performance is an event that fans of No Shoes Nation Band always look forward to. Time for a new inductee into the Pink Hat Club! During each show, the No Shoes Nation Band chooses an individual to receive a pink Boston Red Sox cap. After the presentation, a photo is taken of the inductee and Danny. The No Shoes Nation Band then goes right into the hit, “Boston.” “Boston” is a song that tells a story of a young woman from Boston who goes moves away from the hustle and bustle of big city life to the islands to work at a jewelry store, while wearing her Red Sox cap! This is always a fan favorite, especially in the Boston area, for obvious reasons.
The night continues on with hit after hit being delivered expertly by this talented crew, including the popular “No Shoes, No shirt, No Problems.” A great song with a lotta country and a bit of an island edge. Some other favorites include “When the Sun Goes Down,” “I Go Back,” “All the Pretty Girls,” and “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy.” A great night was had by all attendees and the band itself, as was evident by their high energy that continued all night, right up to the culmination of the evening with the always fun, “Beer in Mexico.” It was an amazing night of Kenny Chesney country music performed by the No Shoes Nation Band that left fans in a great mood and looking forward to future performances.
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