3/14/25 - 3/15/25 GAS CITY & THE SORG OPERA HOUSE

3/14/15 GAS CITY PAC in Gas City, Indiana & 3/15/25 The SORG OPERA HOUSE in Middletown, PA. by David Kidd

I passed under more mountains than The Fellowship along the way...

What ended up a 1,200 mile round trip started with the 10 hour haul to our hotel in Warren, Indiana. (population 1,323)  Just like a good rhythm section, it was perfect timing as I pulled in behind the “TREMOBILE” and met Vince at the front desk. (Quite a coincidence considering we live hours apart). After check-in was a late dinner at ‘Ugalde’s Family Restaurant’ next door. There was little else in Warren. It seemed as if a lone island in a sea of peaks and valleys.

The Gas City PAC venue proved more stunning than the online photos. Built in October of 2024, the facility is an ergonomic masterclass, in regards to it’s layout. A ground level load in onto a large landing behind the stage surrounded by greenrooms. The staff were very professional, accommodating and friendly. The greenrooms were large with individual thermostats! Very nice!

What a light show, eh?

The show went reasonably well considering the Symphony of Gremlins plaguing Burke’s wireless system. The 1,800 seat hall suffered from being new and a current lack of advertising, but… was a third full when TRE hit the stage. We always aim to deliver and this night we performed all of Moving Pictures.

The following morning, ‘twas a mere 2 ½ hour drive to Middletown, Ohio.

From the “brand new “ 2024 venue of Gas City, Indiana to ‘The Sorg Opera House’ in Middletown, Ohio. Built in 1891…!!!

I was the first to arrive and was met by Zeke and his wonderful family and crew, who were most helpful and obliging. A truly professional outfit. THE RUSH EXPERIENCE have played quite a few old theaters, but this one is unique in many ways. Firstly, no odor! Lol Quite an accomplishment considering what that building must’ve experienced. No mustiness, no dankness, no mold.

I looked off from that creaky, irregular stage, imagining the variety of entertainers who had stood in that very spot over the 135 years.

The grandeur of old-world artistry. It occured to me that in the late 1880’s, electricity had been in limted use less than a decade in the Ohio region, so much of this was done with tradition tools. So much work artisan from our ancestors looking to make the world a more beautiful place.

The show was an absolute blast. Burke’s gremlins were sleeping. The band, more relaxed having played the same set the previous night.  Due to its design, the venue afford me to see the audience better than most.

 I was particularly excited about this show, in that my dear old friend, Mike was attending. Mike and I have been Facebook friends for a few years but hadn’t seen each other since 1986... 39 years! (gulp). And I was able to finally meet Mike's wife, Candy. Good people.

“It’s understood, by every single person who’d be elsewhere if they could.”

Living in the Balto/Wash Metro Area, we’ve grown accustomed to “the gaps between” towns being filled (so to speak). However, once your close to Pittsburg, and especially thereafter westward, the gaps become larger and larger, where you find yourself in what feels the middle of nowhere. I know from the speckling of houses these places are home to some, but I can’t imagine the lifestyle.

THE END