Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Southern rock with a pop sensibility isn’t exactly a common combination, but it’s one 38 Special consistently perfected since debuting in the late 1970s through filling arenas throughout the ‘80s and continuing to fire on all cylinders today.

Vocalist/guitarist Don Barnes currently leads the band following the forced retirement of fellow co-founder/singer Donnie Van Zant due to inner-ear nerve damage, and considering the latest line-up hasn’t officially recorded anything, that meant mainly the hits and a few album cuts for the Genesee Theatre, which is rapidly becoming a Midwest classic rock mecca.

38 Special made its message loud and clear from the rollicking introduction of “Rockin’ Into The Night” and these “Wild-Eyed Southern Boys” kept right on taking everyone “Back Where You Belong,” or perhaps even more fittingly, “Back To Paradise.”

Though the guys were typically “Rough-Housin’” or calling out for “Teacher Teacher,” they also embraced a sensitive side come “Somebody Like You,” “Second Chance” and “Like No Other Night.”

The pace revved back up by “If I’d Been The One,” “Fantasy Girl” and “Trooper With An Attitude,” as heard in the 2002 movie “Super Troopers,” which was the newest track to make the cut.

Along the way, Barnes frequently shared the spotlight with keyboardist/vocalist Bobby Capps, drummer Gary Moffatt, bassist Barry Dunaway and guitarist/“Radar Rider” Jerry Riggs, all of whom are killer players properly carrying on 38 Special’s sizable legacy.

Their chemistry was especially evident throughout the colossal “Caught Up In You” to temporarily close the main portion of the 105-minute evening, though those who stuck around for the encore were of course rewarded by the rival classic “Hold On Loosely.”

Yet it was Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Travelin’ Band” that most appropriately summed up the essence of 38 Special, not only for more than four decades thus far, but a future likely full of immeasurable miles.

For additional information on 38 Special, visit 38Special.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at the Genesee Theatre include Emo Orchestra featuring Hawthorne Heights (Oct. 27); Peter Yarrow & Noel Paul Stookey (Nov. 3); Travis Tritt (Nov. 9); Tommy James And The Shondells (Nov. 11); The Return Of Emerson, Lake & Palmer (Nov. 12); Blackberry Smoke (Nov. 16); Girl Named Tom (Nov. 18); Chris Isaak (Nov. 30); Amy Grant & Michael W. Smith (Dec. 1); Classic Albums Live: Jimi Hendrix’s “Are You Experienced?” (Dec. 16) and Smokey Robinson (Dec. 29). For additional details, visit GeneseeTheatre.com.

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