A Tasty Night of Music and More at the Lexington Moose Lodge
I visited the Lexington Moose Lodge on Friday, January 12, for an evening filled with delicious food and fantastic music. The night featured two members of The Pick-Up Band, Kenton and Gloria, who put on a great show. Along with performing as a duo, Kenton also plays guitar in the band The Party Crashers. Before diving into the entertainment details, first a word about the food and venue. The Moose Lodge in a nutshell: good people, good music, and good food with prices from 25 years ago! Some of my personal favorites include the $7 pizza, $5 wings, $5 chef salad, $6 club sandwich, and the signature $7 Moose burger. The lodge has a unique perk for members – you can store your own bottle of liquor behind the bar. For just $1, the Moose provides ice and soda or juice, or you can opt for a $2 draft beer. They're also quite accommodating with meal requests; for example, they happily combined $1.75 grilled vegetables with a $6 cheese steak (no bun) to create a tasty low-carb option on their flat-top grill.
Joining the Moose organization for just $45 yearly grants you and your spouse membership among over a million individuals across 1500 communities in all 50 states. This organization contributes an impressive $75-100 million annually to these communities through a blend of monetary support and volunteer efforts. Whether you're contributing your time, making a monetary donation, or simply enjoying a meal, music, and dancing at a Moose lodge, you can take pride in knowing that your participation benefits local communities. Each Moose lodge, while unique, consistently offers a warm blend of friendly people, enjoyable music, and delicious food, creating an experience that invites repeated visits. For those who enjoy bingo, karaoke, or Vegas-style slot machines with better-than-Vegas payouts, the Moose organization has even more to offer. Additionally, many lodges, including the Lexington Moose, feature amenities like a pool table and a play area for children, ensuring entertainment for all ages.
The Lexington Moose Lodge is closed on Sundays and Mondays, but fortunately we have the luxury of two Moose Lodges within just a 20-minute drive of each other! On the days when Lexington Moose is closed, you can visit the Blue Ridge Moose Lodge in Fairfield, VA open Thursday through Monday which means in Rockbridge County, there's access to a Moose Lodge seven days a week!
Well, on to the show: Kenton sings with a distinctive Southern accent, perfect for Southern rock and country. He sang great renditions of Copperhead Road, 5 O'Clock Somewhere, and Bad Moon Rising, with Gloria providing backup vocals. I particularly enjoyed Tom Petty's Last Dance with Mary Jane, where Gloria backed up Kenton with the harmonica. In addition to the harmonica, Gloria also complements Kenton's singing and guitar with the tambourine, rhythm stick, cowbell, and more. Gloria also takes the lead on numerous songs. Her powerful voice brings a fresh perspective to classic hits typically associated with male lead singers, and she delivers electrifying renditions of songs by The Animals, Marvin Gaye, Doobie Brothers, and much more. While Gloria's vocal talent is undeniable, Kenton's prowess on the guitar adds another layer to their performance. His solos showcase his impressive guitar skills. What's particularly captivating about listening to talented bands cover classic songs is the slightly different twist they bring to familiar tunes and hearing your favorites in a way for the first time. Kenton excels in this aspect, effortlessly weaving in new harmonies and unique riffs as he improvises, making each guitar segment as distinctive and personal as the vocals.
Kenton and Gloria not only alternate between lead and backup roles but also equally share singing responsibilities on many songs. I particularly enjoyed their versions of Good Lovin', Satisfy Me, and Walking on Sunshine highlighting their ability to harmonize and create a dynamic musical partnership. Speaking of partnership, you could literally feel the love in the air, extending beyond just the fellowship among Moose members. Kenton and Gloria, who are married, radiated their love for each other, their music, and their dedication to bringing joy to those in attendance. This genuine affection infused an already fantastic night of music with an additional layer of warmth and joy.
Kenton and Gloria showcased two original songs, If I Could and The Call. I enjoyed both and recommend requesting some original music if you get a chance to see Kenton and Gloria or The Pickup Band. Speaking of requests I asked if they knew I’ve got a name by Jim Croce. Although unfamiliar with the song, they were eager to learn it. I replied no need you are playing a great mix and I am really enjoying it. But they insisted, expressing their admiration for Jim Croce and a commitment to learning the song. These two care about the music and they care about their fans!
For more information, you can visit The Pickup Band’s Facebook page. Catch Kenton, Gloria, and the rest of the band live at Brew Ridge Taps on February 10th and The Lexington Moose Lodge on February 17th. Additionally, they will be performing at The Staunton Moose Lodge just a short drive outside Rockbridge County on February 24th.
About The Pickup Band:
With a mix of high-energy rock and country, the Pickup Band is guaranteed to add an extra level of excitement to any event. From the first song to the last, the audience will be clapping, dancing and, best of all, singing along! The 5-piece group is made up of experienced musicians from all over. Phil Holstein on lead and rhythm guitar and vocals and Rocky Smith on bass guitar and vocals are Rockbridge natives. John Good on all things percussion has called the county home since 1993. Leading the pack are Kenton Koty on guitars, fiddle, banjo, mandolin and vocals and the one and only Gloria Lewane doing most of the vocal work. She has also been known to pick up the guitar and shake a mean tambourine. Husband and wife team Gloria and Kenton have played in groups up and down the east coast and have lived in the area for 5+ years. The band covers a wide spectrum of musical styles. From the classic rock of Creedence, the Stones and Grand Funk Railroad to the latest country hits by Lainey Wilson, Little Big Town and Ashley McBride, the band does it all and takes pride in approaching each performance with the commitment to providing the best show.
For live music in Rockbridge County visit: https://www.livemusiclexington.com