The Dreamboats
, June 18, 2026
, Summer Arts Festival
Veterans Park Amphitheater, Springfield, Ohio.

Sometimes the best concert nights start with a little uncertainty.

I left home around 5:00 PM on a rainy Thursday afternoon headed for Springfield, Ohio. As I watched the rain hit the windshield, I couldn’t help but wonder how an outdoor concert at Veterans Park Amphitheater was going to work out. Fortunately, the closer I got to Springfield, the clearer the skies became. By the time I arrived, the weather had transformed into a perfect summer evening, 74 degrees, low humidity, and just enough breeze to remind you why outdoor concerts can be magical.

My GPS had other plans.

Rather than bringing me directly to the front entrance, it guided me through a quiet neighborhood and dropped me near the back side of the park. Following a winding path through the woods, I emerged into what initially looked like a small community gathering. Lawn chairs were scattered across the grass, families were settling in, and for a moment I wondered if this was really the venue.

Then I rounded the corner.

Suddenly the full scope of Veterans Park Amphitheater came into view. The massive covered stage rose above the crowd, framed by impressive stonework and an unexpectedly sophisticated lighting system. It was clear this wasn’t just a neighborhood concert, it was a professional production tucked inside one of Ohio’s most charming outdoor settings.

I arrived about an hour before showtime, giving me plenty of time to scout photography locations and formulate a game plan. I started above the front-of-house sound booth, one of the best places in any venue to experience a show. Not only is it typically where the mix sounds best, but the elevated view offered a perfect perspective of both the stage and the audience.

When showtime arrived, The Dreamboats made an entrance that immediately set the tone.

Emerging from stage left in matching blue suits, the Canadian rock-and-roll revivalists looked like they had stepped directly out of a 1950s television special. Before they played a single note, the audience had already been transported back to a simpler era.

Then the music started.

Drawing inspiration from legends like Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, and The Beatles, The Dreamboats don’t merely perform classic rock and roll, they recreate the spirit of it. The band combines tight musicianship, polished harmonies, and undeniable charisma into a performance that feels authentic rather than nostalgic.

From the opening song, they had the audience completely engaged.

Their setlist blended beloved classics with their own infectious energy, while stories, jokes, and playful banter connected each song. The musicianship was excellent, but what truly separated this performance was the showmanship.

These guys never stopped moving.

The energy level was honestly impressive. At times they seemed to possess the endless stamina of my four-year-old daughter. Band members climbed onto the drum riser, leaped from the rock wall surrounding the stage, danced in synchronized movements, and constantly interacted with both the crowd and one another. It felt less like a concert and more like watching a group of lifelong friends having the time of their lives.

The audience couldn’t help but join them

As part of the Summer Arts Festival, The Dreamboats served as the evening’s sole act. They performed the first half of the show before taking an intermission, then returned with even more energy than before. If the first set was fun, the second set was a full-blown party.

As the evening progressed, the crowd became louder, more animated, and increasingly invested in every moment. By the end of the night, fans were on their feet, cheering and pleading for one more song as the band finally exited the stage.

But the night wasn’t over.

After packing up my camera gear, I headed backstage and had the opportunity to meet the band before they emerged once again, this time wearing their signature letterman jackets. What followed may have been the most impressive part of the entire evening.

The Dreamboats genuinely connected with their fans.

They posed for photos, signed autographs, gave away drumsticks, and spent time talking with everyone who approached them. Every conversation seemed to end the same way: fans expressing how much they loved the show and asking, sometimes practically begging, the band to book more dates in the area.

The appreciation was mutual.

The band was warm, approachable, and grateful. The venue staff was equally welcoming. One highlight of the evening came from a 95-year-old usher who shared her secrets to living a long life and firmly instructed me to listen to her. I decided right then and there that she was my new grandmother.

The only downside to the entire experience?

I stayed so long after the show that I ended up walking back through the woods in complete darkness to reach my car.

Somehow, even that felt fitting.

Everything about the evening had the charm of a Hallmark movie. The beautiful weather, the outdoor venue, the nostalgic music, the friendly fans, the welcoming staff, and a band that seemed genuinely happy to be there all combined to create one of those rare nights that reminds you why live music matters.

The Dreamboats didn’t just perform songs from another era.

For a couple of hours, they made everyone in attendance feel like they were living in it.

And honestly?

The show was so enjoyable that if they were playing nearby again tomorrow night, I’d gladly make the drive and do it all over again.

Links

• Artist: https://www.thedreamboatsband.com/
• Episode: https://jayfranze.com/episode217
• Photos: https://jayfranze.com/the-dreamboats-veterans-park-amphitheater-springfield-oh-6-18-26-photos

By the time Friday night rolled around, CMA Fest had already done its best to remind me that I’m not twenty-five anymore.

After spending Thursday bouncing between artist meetings, live performances, industry events, and enough late-night conversations to fill a season of a reality show, day two arrived with little sympathy. The Nashville sun had spent the afternoon cooking downtown at a respectable 87 degrees, and after miles of walking, countless handshakes, and more bottled water than I’d care to admit, the cool 60-degree evening air felt like a reward.

That reward got even better when I found myself walking into The Local.

Tucked away in Nashville’s West End neighborhood, The Local has quietly become one of Music City’s best-kept secrets. While Broadway often gets the spotlight, venues like this are where you discover the artists who actually deserve it. With its cozy 200-capacity room, welcoming atmosphere, and enough character hanging on the walls to keep you distracted between sets, The Local feels less like a venue and more like the living room Nashville wishes it had.

I arrived near the end of a songwriter round that was already firing on all cylinders. The crowd was engaged, the songs were landing, and the room had that unmistakable Nashville energy where everyone knows they’re witnessing something authentic.

Then Trey Calloway walked on stage.

And the entire room shifted.

Some artists perform songs.

Some artists command a stage.

Trey Calloway does both.

Backed by a stellar five-piece band made up of Nashville veterans, Calloway exploded out of the gate with the confidence of a seasoned headliner and the charisma of a young Garth Brooks. That’s not a comparison I throw around lightly. Plenty of artists can sing. Plenty can entertain. Very few possess that rare ability to make every person in the room feel like they’re part of the show.

From the moment he grabbed the microphone, Trey owned the room.

His set moved effortlessly between original material and fan-requested favorites, and what stood out most wasn’t just the quality of the songs, it was the connection. Every lyric felt lived-in. Every story felt genuine. Every interaction felt natural rather than rehearsed.

In a town full of performers trying desperately to be noticed, Trey never looked like he was trying at all.

That’s usually a sign you’re watching a professional.

One of the night’s most impressive moments had nothing to do with his singing.

Throughout the show, Trey spotted fellow artists Josie Sal and Stephanie Rabus enjoying the performance from the crowd. Instead of simply acknowledging them, he invited each of them to join him on stage at different points during the evening.

It’s a small gesture on paper.

In reality, it says a lot about who an artist is.

Nashville can be competitive. Opportunities are precious. Spotlights can be guarded territory. Yet Trey willingly shared his stage and gave fellow artists a chance to shine in front of an enthusiastic audience. That’s the kind of class that can’t be manufactured by a publicist or taught in a branding seminar.

It’s simply who you are.

As the night rolled on, the energy never dipped. No filler. No dead spots. No moments where the audience started checking their phones or wondering how many songs remained.

Just great songs, great musicianship, and an artist fully in control of his craft.

By the final song, the crowd was completely locked in.

Then came the part that many artists overlook.

The show ended.

Trey’s work didn’t.

Rather than disappearing backstage the moment the final note rang out, he stepped off stage and spent time talking with fans, taking photos, shaking hands, and making sure everyone who had invested their evening in his music felt appreciated.

Again, it sounds simple.

It’s not.

The artists who build careers understand that fans aren’t interruptions to the show, they’re the reason the show exists in the first place.

Trey Calloway understands that better than most.

As CMA Fest continued creating its annual chaos across Nashville, one thing became abundantly clear inside The Local on Friday night: Trey Calloway isn’t just another talented singer-songwriter trying to make his mark.

He’s already making it.

In fact, after watching him effortlessly work a room, command a stage, support fellow artists, and connect with fans long after the music stopped, I left convinced of something I’ve suspected for a while.

When CMA Fest rolls around each year, Trey Calloway might just be the unofficial King of the festival.

And judging by the reaction inside The Local, he’s not giving up that crown anytime soon.

If you get the chance to see Trey Calloway live, take it.

You’ll leave understanding exactly what all the fuss is about.

Links

• Artist: https://treycallowaymusic.com/
• Episode: https://jayfranze.com/episode108
• Photos: https://jayfranze.com/trey-calloway-the-local-nashville-tn-6-5-26-photos

The first official day of CMA Fest always feels a little like the first day of school. Everyone is excited, everyone is running on too little sleep, and Nashville suddenly becomes the center of the music universe for a few days.

For me, CMA Fest 2026 started with a phone call.

Before I ever made it into town, Jason Hale, musician, longtime friend, and previous guest on The Jay Franze Show, reached out and asked if I’d be around during the festival. The answer was an easy yes. He told me he had recently started working with Darryl Worley and invited me to a private fan club event at 3rd & Lindsley.

Not a bad way to kick off CMA Fest.

I’ve spent a lot of time at 3rd & Lindsley over the years. I’ve attended countless shows there and even worked out of the venue filming videos for artists. Walking through the doors felt familiar, but there was something new waiting. Recent renovations have expanded the main floor and relocated the stage, transforming the room from the old corner-stage setup into a much more traditional performance space. The changes work. The room feels bigger without losing any of the intimacy that has always made 3rd & Lindsley one of Nashville’s favorite listening rooms.

As I settled into my seat, a bartender appeared offering complimentary food and drinks, a welcome surprise and a pretty nice touch considering I’d already mentally prepared myself to go broke before noon.

Then the band took the stage.

No dramatic introductions. No flashing lights. No smoke machines trying to convince anyone they were watching something bigger than it actually was.

Just four exceptional Nashville musicians, including Jason Hale on bass, walking onto the stage to support one of country music’s most recognizable voices.

And honestly, that’s all they needed.

What immediately stood out was how intimate the entire performance felt. This was a full band show, yet somehow it carried the warmth and storytelling atmosphere of a songwriter round. There was never a sense that Darryl Worley was performing at the audience. It felt more like he was sitting in a living room full of friends sharing songs and stories.

Of course, when your catalog includes songs like “I Miss My Friend,” “Awful, Beautiful Life,” and “Have You Forgotten?” you’ve already got a pretty strong foundation to work from.

The hits were all there.

But what made the afternoon special wasn’t just hearing familiar songs. It was hearing the stories behind them.

Worley has always possessed that rare ability to connect with people through conversation as naturally as he does through music. Between songs, he shared stories, memories, and plenty of laughs. His dry humor kept the room engaged, and the audience responded like family members gathered around a dinner table.

In many ways, that’s exactly what this event was.

Because this wasn’t simply a concert. It was a gathering of fans who have followed Darryl’s career for decades.

Watching him interact with those fans, was truly impressive. He wasn’t vaguely recognizing faces from the stage. He was calling people out by name. Remembering stories. Recalling details from previous conversations. In an industry where artists often meet thousands of people every year, that’s not something you can fake.

The requests kept coming throughout the afternoon.

And when the scheduled ending time arrived, nobody seemed particularly interested in ending anything.

Least of all Darryl.

Rather than looking at a clock, he simply kept playing.

That’s the thing about artists who genuinely love what they do. The schedule becomes more of a suggestion than a rule.

When the final song finally ended, the experience still wasn’t over.

Worley made his way around the room greeting people personally before heading toward the back to sign autographs and take photos with every fan who wanted one. Not some of them. Not most of them.

Every single one.

Before making his way into the crowd, he stopped to thank me for coming. Then he mentioned a photograph he’d taken years ago with my daughter.

My now sixteen-year-old daughter.

Who was four years old at the time.

And just like that, I was reminded of something important.

Darryl Worley isn’t just a great artist.

He’s a genuinely good human being.

Those are two very different things.

And while one often creates success, the other creates longevity.

The Bonus Track Nobody Expected

As memorable as the fan club show was, the story didn’t actually end there.

After spending the day running between meetings, shaking hands, and walking every square foot of Nashville, I headed over to Music Valley to meet some friends.

Eventually we landed at Music City to catch a performance by the Nashville Playboys, an all-star collection of musicians that never disappoints.

Then something happened that perfectly summed up everything I’d witnessed earlier that day.

In walked Darryl Worley.

Not with an entourage.

Not making an entrance.

Not looking for attention.

Just Darryl and his wife looking for a place to sit down and enjoy some live music.

Eventually the band invited him up, and he happily joined them for a few songs. The crowd loved it. The musicians loved it. Darryl seemed to love it.

But what happened afterward may have been even more telling.

He thanked every musician on stage before stepping off.

Then he stayed.

He didn’t disappear backstage.

He didn’t leave after his songs were finished.

He stayed for the remainder of the show, watched the band perform, greeted fans who approached him, took photos when asked, and did it all while making sure the spotlight remained on the musicians who were actually working the room that night.

In Nashville, where egos occasionally arrive before the artist does, that level of humility stands out.

A lot.

Final Thoughts

There are artists who become famous because they write great songs.

There are artists who build lasting careers because they connect with people.

Darryl Worley has managed to do both.

The songs have always been strong. That’s never been the question.

But after spending a day watching him interact with fans, musicians, venue staff, and complete strangers, it became clear why people continue showing up year after year.

The voice may have introduced people to Darryl Worley.

The man is what keeps them around.

And for a festival built around country music’s biggest stars, there may not have been a better way to start CMA Fest than spending an afternoon with an artist who still remembers what made people fall in love with country music in the first place.

Authenticity.

And thankfully, Darryl Worley still has plenty of it.

Links

• Artist: https://www.darrylworley.com
• Episode: https://jayfranze.com/episode55
• Photos: https://jayfranze.com/darryl-worley-3rd-lindsley-nashville-tn-6-4-26-photos