Walter Trout and his band (they were the Radicals then) performed at the first Playing with Fire in 2004. We were at Lewis and Clark Landing. I’m a Walter fan and have seen him play multiple times. Four times at Playing with Fire, one of which was performed in the lobby of the Hilton hotel because of a massive PwF rainout! I saw him at the ZOO Bar in Lincoln. Mont Tremblant, Quebec, twice in London, England, again in Birmingham, England, then Glasgow. Scotland, plus once in Toronto and Hamburg, Germany. I also saw Walter in the Netherlands…but I don’t remember where —- Maybe Tilburg. I really want to see him at The Paradiso in Amsterdam. 

I saw Walter at the ZOO Bar in Lincoln. Mont Tremblant, Quebec, twice in London, England, again in Birmingham, England, then Glasgow. Scotland, plus once in Toronto and Hamburg, Germany. I also saw Walter in the Netherlands…but I don’t remember where — Maybe Tilburg. I really want to see him at The Paradiso in Amsterdam. 

Walter has played numerous return shows since 2004. He, along with his amazing wife and manager, Marie, and bandmates, most likely enjoy returning to Omaha because of its magnetic pull, fueled by the enthusiastic support and special treatment they get from PwF fans and dear friends. The cheers for encores and great merch sales certainly add to keep Walter and his crew returning for more.

Walter and his most recent band configuration will return to Omaha on July 11th for Playing with Fire's 20th anniversary. It's only appropriate that he plays this show. It wasn't a hard decision for the selection team to make. He is wedged into the sweet spot between opener Aussie keyboardist Lachy Doley and Scottish Blues Rockers the amazing King King. It should be a blast — Literally!

Walter's new CD, Broken, recently debuted at #1 on the US Billboard Blues Charts. It's a different sound for Walter, and it's really good. I'm sure he will perform it and, hopefully, some of his earlier releases. Maybe "Omaha" and "Take Me Home" from the CD Battle Scars, songs inspired by his experiences at the Nebraska Medical Center during a pivotal moment in his life."Take Me Home" is perhaps the best song Walter has ever written. It’s real. It happened. The song is full of pain and fear. And if "Take Me Home" isn’t ‘the blues,’ then I’m totally confused about the genre. 

Walter completely rearranged his July performance schedule to play our 20th celebration. I love that we managed to get him one more time.

Jeff