Orville Peck, Shania Twain - Legends Never Die (Official Video)/Orville Peck at The Arlington Theater in Santa Barbara

I first heard Orville Peck while shopping at Black Luck Vintage in Yucca, CA.  The proprietress was playing it on her jukebox and I was entranced by his voice.  His crooning takes me to a cross between Elvis, Roy Orbison and Chris Issak.

That was two years go and I finally saw him in concert in Santa Barbara, CA on April 26, which is my mother's birthday, at The Arlington theater. I brought my recently widowed friend Gabi so she could enjoy a night out.

The opening act was a fledgeling band that call themselves Teddy and The Rough Riders.  For those that don't see the historical significance of this name let me explain.  President Teddy Roosevelt had a band of brothers that he called the rough riders.

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are" Roosevelt is credited with saying.

Roosevelt is credited with founding The Rough Riders with White House physician Col. Leonard Wood prior to becoming President.  The rough riders helped fight the Battle of San Juan Hill which helped to win the Spanish American War.

The band Teddy and The Rough Riders hails from Nashville, Tennessee where they've been working on an album. The band has a long way to go before they'll be headlining a concert.  My companion kept looking at me like "why did you bring me here for this." I explained that she had to wait for Orville Peck in order to receive the full effect that comes from a headlining act.  I also explained that their music was lacking in beats that pull you in, a backbeat that clenches the deal and lyrics that catch your interest.  In other words a fledgeling band who will learn the ropes traveling and watching Peck.

The excitement of the crowd that arrived in time to see Peck perform was joyful and in the mood to party...Peck did not disappoint.  Peck brought it! This appearance was a make-up gig because the original show was cancelled due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.

This tour was dubbed The Bronco Tour and would be spending a lot of time touring in California.  The Coachella for both weekends, The Stagecoach Festival, Pappy & Harriets and The Palomino Festival in Pasadena, CA July 9 to name just a few.

As Peck bobbed out onto the stage sporting a braided, fringed mask and some very nice fitting western wear the crowd went wild and stood up for the entire set.  I was thinking "nice ass."

It was nice to see that Peck had a female in his band and she appeared to be playing bass guitar and sang duets with Peck.  My companion turned to me and said "isn't it nice that his wife plays with him."  I tried hard not to laugh because she wasn't his wife, in fact he is gay.  This fact was what Billboard Magazine chose to put in the first paragraph in the first line of a story about Peck. SMH.

Anyway, the crowd stood up for the whole entire set of Pecks which my fancy shoes, not cowgirl boots, would not allow me to do so I only stood up for my favorite songs.  My companion complained about their standing for the whole show and I told her that is pretty standard at gigs these days...standing.

The funny ha ha thing is that I've never seen so many boots and Stetsons in Santa Barbara in all the years I've been hanging out there, working and living there for around seven years.  There isn't even a Western store in Santa Barbara since Jedlickas closed down some time ago.  

The crowd was large mixture of younger and a bit of older such as myself and Gabi.  Yeah, we're old farts.

My very favorite song in Peck's set is all of them! My very favorite song by Peck in general thus far is "Legends Never Die" which is why I selected it as the featured video.