Hot music on a hot night

Despite triple-digit heat Saturday, hundreds turned out to see Jay White perform Neil Diamond’s hits at Lake Clementia Amphitheater in the latest Entertainment, Theatre and Culture summer concert. The high-voltage show included Diamond’s own percussionist, King Errisson, right, who stepped off-stage at one point to take photos of the crowd’s enthusiastic reaction to White’s pitch-perfect performance as the legendary entertainer.  Were you at the show? Rate it here and share your opinion.

White sometimes played guitar as he recreated Diamond’s hits. 

The show started with “Desiree.” Highlights included “Sweet Caroline,”  “Forever in Blue Jeans,” “I’m a Believer,” a conga drum solo by Errisson during “Cherry, Cherry” and a rousing version of “Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show” that had the crowd waving their arms and swaying like the real thing.

White challenged the audience to compete on sing-alongs, and sat on the edge of the stage to croon “Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon” to two women from the crowd.

As a large American flag unfurled at the back of the stage, crowd interaction reached a new level when a trio of enamored female fans climbed on stage to join White during the final encore song, “Coming to America.”

Before the show began, the crowd was treated to fly-bys by “Miss America,” a red, white and blue airplane, as patriotic standards played on the sound system in honor of those who are in the military or who have served in the past.

Nancy Compton and Ray Trujillo enjoyed a picnic supper.

James and Billy Kirk and Tracy and Kevin Sexton were part of a group of concertgoers.

Melissa Ashman, Lori Otterbeck and Alicia Correia kept their cool despite the heat.

Cathy and Gert King attended their first ETC concert.

Sherry Buckman and Kristine Oday were happy campers waiting for the show and their spouses.

Sisters Jeri Hobberlin, left, and Linda Kralik got into the party mood.

Peggie Miller and husband Earl Gear celebrated his birthday with a get-together with friends before the show.

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