Article Contributed by Dan Ward
Published on November 5, 2025
The opening strains of “The Boys are Back” set K-Wings Stadium roaring with thunderous applause for our hometown heroes, Greensky Bluegrass. Twenty-five years ago, three friends got together to play for a party as a joke. Guitarist Dave Bruzza comments, “It looks like the joke is still going.”
“Out and Under” and “Tied Down” flash by, feeling so familiar we don’t even notice 15 minutes have passed. Reluctantly, the photographers are ushered from the pit to allow the fans an unfettered view of the band clad in matching silver suits for their Silver Jubilee on this Halloween night.
We get a few minutes’ reprieve as Lindsay Lou steps on stage in a spectacular silver dress that sparkles almost as much as her personality. They sing “Grow Together” in tight harmonies that warm the air.
Lindsay Lou leaves the stage as the master himself, Sam Bush, comes on to add his talented voice, fiddle, and mandolin to the festivities. Together, the band and Sam break into “Run or Die,” “All Four,” “One More Love Song,” and “Greensky Breakdown.” Anders Beck (Dobro) and Sam Bush throw lightning-fast solo lines back and forth, their talent unstoppable.
The music is uplifting and spirited. The amazing banjo work of Michael Arlen Bont drives the tunes while Paul Huffman’s voluptuous voice and lyrical mandolin playing send our minds along on their journey. “Wish I Didn’t Know” and “It’s Not Mine Anymore” allow the band to show the expressive side of modern Bluegrass before the band lightens things up with some Halloween fun.
The fans have come in costume tonight, mimicking that first show 25 years ago with friends and family gathered. “Granny Wontcha Smoke Some Marijuana” and “Blood Sucking F(r)iends” get the crowd riled up, and unbridled dancing and cheering break out.
The first set has been amazing, and to close it out the band jams out to “Leap Year,” which morphs into “1999,” then back to a reprisal of “Leap Year,” closing out the first set. Lindsay and Sam have added to the merriment, and the band has been on fire. Dave has laid down some of the finest flat-picking I’ve ever heard while Paul, Anders, and Michael have provided proof positive of why this band deserves all the praise we can muster. They are simply wonderful.
We have been blessed with 90 minutes of pure Greensky Bluegrass. Great credit is due to Mike Devol and his vivacious bass playing. Always present, never overpowering but crisp and insistent, he provides the perfect platform for the other artists to unleash their gifted technique. Twenty-five years of playing together really shows when the other band members are like a part of each other. The music is organic, each member has a role, and all can depend on the others.
The band takes any tune, any thought, and turns it into bluegrass magic, and the first set is just a start.
Sam Bush returns with the band for the second set, and they light the stadium up with “Broke Mountain Breakdown” and “Worry for You.” Lindsay returns with a lighted set of wings before the band tears into “Circles Around Me” and a cover of Wendy Waldman’s “Can’t Stop Now.”
The band sends out “Kerosene” to showcase the amazing talents they all have. The voices blend sweetly, and the instruments provide warmth to each melody. The song really gets the audience going. Dave reminds fans that this is just day one of their hometown homecoming.
The band will be back on Saturday night, 11/1/25 for another night of music and joy. For tonight, the entire ensemble closes out with “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life.” Fitting, as we would all agree, we have had the time of our lives.
