George Bernhardt performs with Rick Springfield @ Wildhorse Saloon, Nashville, TN 2/13/2010. Photo by Pennman.

In what is becoming a Valentine’s Day tradition here at the Wildhorse, Rick Springfield was in town for a pair of shows this holiday weekend. In a career that’s had its’ ups and downs it seems Mr. Springfield is currently enjoying a bit of a rejuvenation. First of all, he is holding up pretty well in the rock star-looks department. Secondly, he tours with band mates who have played with the likes of Joe Satriani, Lita Ford, Iron Butterfly, Whitesnake, and Motley Crue, amongst many others (very varied and very impressive). So they can rock! What’s more, the man can sing. And when it comes right down to it, the songs (which are what I thought I might have a major problem with) are really not that bad.

Generally, light pop music is not very much to my liking, but after tonight I would put Springfield into the power-pop genre (still not overly compelling but certainly tolerable). But let’s face it, Springfield’s popularity does not lie with the likes of me but rather with the ladies, and there were plenty on hand tonight; some solo, and some with their guys. I can think of a lot less appealing things a woman might want to be taken to on Valentine’s Day than a Rick Springfield show, so these guys (plenty of them too) didn’t have all that much to complain about. Actually, the Wildhorse had a pretty full house, and I haven’t seen that in quite awhile, so the man can draw a crowd too.

So what if his initial draw with many of the ladies may have been his stint on a soap opera? Everyone in this business needs some kind of a break, but it’s what you make of it that will sustain a career. So there are the hits. Of course we heard “Jessie’s Girl”, which I would have preferred to hear straight, but Springfield chose to pause in the middle, do a lot of rambling, give audience members the mic, and bring two young kids up on stage to show up the previous mic-holding amateurs. Very cute, but why don’t stars just do their signature songs seriously? “Jessie” is not deep, but it’s a good, catchy song when done right. “Don’t Talk to Strangers” was better, “Human Touch” and “What’s Victoria’s Secret?” were also featured. And, as is customary, there were a few covers tunes too, such as Clapton’s “Crossroads” (bet you didn’t see that one coming!), McCartney’s “Jet”, and “Mustang Sally” (sung mostly by Rick’s original drummer, Jack White (no, not THAT Jack White)). The set was at least 90 minutes long (not bad), a lot of energy was expended, the show was entertaining, and the music was basically upbeat.

There is little doubt that the audience loved this. Although tables were set up to take up the entire floor, people were on their feet throughout. Springfield was a bit self-indulgent with the sporadic use of unnecessary profanity (which just seems out of place for this crowd) but his fans didn’t seem to mind. So as much as I thought I’d be, at best, indifferent to this show, I have to conclude that there is a substantial audience for his music, it does get interesting at a few points, occasionally rocks out, and makes for a good date night (if your girlfriend is into it). However, you will not see me (or any guys I know) at one of Springfield’s shows on a boys night out.   

Pennman’s Picks (Upcoming Shows)

Local (Bowling Green)

• Every Sunday @ 6 – KY Blues Jam – Wha Bah’s
• 3/12 – Sixth Floor – Tidball’s, Felonious Funk – 440 Main
• 3/13 – Super 400 – Great Escape Records (In-store, free concert), Felonius Funk/Clay Powell – Tidball’s
• 3/17 – Jonesy – Overtime (Happy St. Pat’s)
• 3/19 – Steely James – Cafe Vioni, Floord/Easy Street – Tidballs, Chuck Wells – Shelley’s Place
• 3/20 – 00 the Rabbit/Bookum Snark – Tidballs, Brennan Graves – 440 Main, Chuck Wells – Shelley’s Place
• 3/26 – Karmadons – Tidball’s, Nine Horse Johnson – Spillway, Thr3e – Shelley’s Place
• 3/27 – Thr3e – Shelley’s Place, Nine horse johnson – Spillway, Hungry Ears/Danse Macabre – Tidballs
• 4/1 – Thee Japanese Schoolgirls – Tidballs

Road Trips (Nashville)

• Bridgestone Arena (Sommet Center) – Muse – 3/15, Bon Jovi/Dashboard Confessional – 4/21, Jimmy Buffet – 5/1, James Taylor/Carole King – 5/22, Daughtry – 5/30, Tom Petty/CS&N – 8/12.
• Wildhorse Saloon –George Thorogood – 3/17*, Seven Mary Three/Marcy Playground/Sponge – 4/1*, Bret Michaels – 4/2
• TPAC – Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular – 3/12, Moody Blues – 3/18
• Ryman Auditorium – Foreigner – 3/16, John Prine – 3/26, Tegan & Sara – 3/31, Aretha Franklin – 4/25, Goo Goo Dolls – 5/2, Barenaked Ladies – 5/10, Norah Jones – 5/14
• Freedom Hall (Louisville) – AC/DC – 4/13, Tom Petty/Joe Cocker – 5/12.

 *Recession Buster – Tix available under $25  ** Free ($10 donation at door suggested) 

About the author: Pennman bought his first 45 at age nine and has been hooked on rock ever since. He has spent much of his disposable income on music, especially live performances. He writes reviews of the shows he sees and keeps a keen lookout for upcoming shows in or near Bowling Green. He has a BA in Communications, specializing in journalism, and has dabbled in music himself, both as a player and instructor. Find more of Pennman’s work at www.associatedcontent.com/user/165511/pennman.html or visit him at www.myspace.com/pennman_bg or www.facebook.com/pennman