Key West The Newspaper - January 11, 2002

What's Hot

Bo Fodor At Geiger Key

by Valerie Ridenour

Bo Fodor came down from Minneapolis a few years ago and like most of us fell in love with the place. He's become an island regular, and we're lucky to have him. Bo's band, Hitchhikers, opened for Journey, Foreigner, and other major acts. He's put together a smaller version here, that you may have heard.

Bo is a good singer and an exceptional guitarist. He began on a damp and slightly chilly evening with Bob Seger's wonderful road anthem, "Turn the Page". It was marvelous. Next we heard the Kansas classic "Dust In the Wind", a tune that works well for Bo with his artistic guitar playing and big vocal range.

Everybody loves the Eagles. Bo did their first hit, "Take It Easy", and of course, the audience loved it. Bo uses a harmonizer to add the second voice. Bo has an easy charm that people respond to. "Anyone like Marshall Tucker" brought a response, "Yes indeedy! "Can't You See" showed off Bo's sensational lead playing. He sizzled. More Eagles followed with "Hotel California". But can he play blues, you ask? Stevie Ray Vaughn's "Pride and Joy" left absolutely no doubt.

One of everybody's favorite songs has to be Don McLean's standard "American Pie". This one had the crowd singing along. I'm always glad to hear Don's songs being performed. He's another truly nice guy. I was stuck in freezing rain behind Jack Clement's studio with a car that wasn't going anywhere. Don came out, took the air filter off, and started it for me.

No one plays in the Keys without a request for Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl". Bo played some hot harmonics on this one. Steve Miller's "The Joker" was a crowd pleaser. Bo's lead was sensational.

Few people play Pink Floyd. Bo does. "Hey You" from "The Wall" was sheer power. The Georgia Sattelites' advice to "Keep Your Hands To Yourself" was funky and fun, even enticing a solo male dancer out onto the deck.

But does Bo play reggae? "Stir It Up" proves he does, and well. At that point the wind picked up bringing the cold, which pretty much cleared out the dock except for the most hardy who shivered while enjoying "Southern Cross".

Watch Now Playing here in KWTN and find Bo Fodor, with or without the Hitchhikers. Then you can thank me! Stay cool. Not cold, cool!