38 Special at The Astro in LaVista, Nebraska on July 12th, 2025.
Photos and Review by The Pit Magazine Contributor, Bob DeHart Photography
It was a fun night at The Astro in LaVista. You had two of the premiere classic rock bands, 38 Special and Kansas, performing together on the same night. It was a perfect weather for the amphitheater at the Astro, and a huge crowd coming out to support these acts. You couldn’t ask for anything more. This was my first time seeing both of these bands, which is kind of crazy as they both been around for over 50 years. But they sounded as good as ever and kept the crowd rolling through the night.
38 Special Gallery
38 Special, like many bands that have been around this long, there are not as many original members left. For 38 Special it is vocalist and guitarist Don Barnes. The rest of the band is made up of Bobby Capps (Keyboards, vocals), Gary Moffatt (Drums), Barry Dunaway (Bass), and Jerry Riggs (guitar). They rolled out all the biggest hits such as Caught Up in You, Back Where You Belong, If I’d Been the One, and Rockin’ Into The Night. And even played a new single, All I Haven’t Said, from the forthcoming album Milestone. Aptly titled for a band that has been around for as long as they have. The longer 38 Special played the more the crowd was hyped up, gaining energy as each song was finished. It was a great opening for the evening and even though I am late to the party, I enjoyed hearing the classic songs from these guys.
Kansas Gallery
Speaking of being late to the party, I am a little embarrassed to say that this was my first time seeing Kansas live. I grew up in Kansas, and lived in their hometown of Topeka, Kansas. I have been hearing of them my whole life. I have tried to see them before, but it just never seemed to work out. Like 38 Special, there is only one remaining original member left. That is guitarist Rich Williams.
The rest of the band is made up of vocalist Ronnie Platt, guitarist Zak Rizvi, bassist/vocalist Daniel McGowan, keyboardist Tom Brislin, violinist/guitarist Joe Deninzon, and filling in on drums Eric Holmquist. They sounded amazing and I was glad to be able to catch them. I know it’s not the Kansas that I grew up with, but they are true to the sound that made Kansas the legends they are. All amazing musicians that carry the legacy of the band very proudly. If you can see this tour, you should. It is a great show with amazing songs!
Photos by The Pit Magazine photographer, Bob DeHart Photography in York, Nebraska. ©2025.
Follow The Pit Magazine on Facebook, Twitter, Bluesky, Instagram, and Spotify!
Listen to The Pit Magazine Pitcast on Amazon, Apple, Deezer, PocketCasts, Podcast Addict, Spotify, iHeart OR right here in The Pit!
Subscribe to The Pit Newsletter today!
Support this and other fine local & touring artists, dig and buy their music, and get some merch!
