Hear the Preeminent Sounds of Little River Band, July 22 at Dosey Doe

THE WOODLANDS, TX - On Thursday, July 22, Little River Band will take the stage at Dosey Doe Big Barn. They will perform a wide range of music including older chart-topping hits to newer, popular tracks.  It will be an enjoyable evening listening to what Glenn Frey of The Eagles dubbed “the best singing band in the world.”  We sat down with long time lead vocalist and bass player, Wayne Nelson, to talk about the band’s history, his own experience with the group, and their July 22 concert at Dosey Doe.

Click here to purchase tickets to the July 22 Little River Band concert

How did the they come up with the band name?

We asked Wayne Nelson how the band chose its name. It really does sound very country and seems like it came from some southern, American locale. Wayne said that actually when the band was originally formed, they setup most aspects of the group except for the band name, and even though they were driving to their first gig, they hadn’t agreed on a name yet. They were about to perform as this new super group without a name. They couldn’t do that so that started thinking of names in route to the event. As they were getting closer to the concert venue, one of the members saw a road sign they passed as they went through a small Australian town. The name of the town was “Little River”. The band member suggested that they use that name and call themselves “Little River Band” until they came up with something different. Well, that small Australian town name kind of stuck and they have been using it ever since. 



Enter Wayne Nelson

Wayne Nelson joined the band at a very pivotal time. Time Exposure was being recorded and produced by the famous Sir George Martin (the Beatles producer.) The first time Nelson took the stage with LRB was his 30th Birthday in front of 25,000 screaming fans in 1980. Before that he was a musician from Chicago in a band called Koala. He had moved to Los Angeles to continue his music career. When Kenny Loggins and Jim Messina ceased touring together, Wayne was asked to join Jim Messina as a bass player and vocalist. He toured with Messina for about two years and both Wayne and Messina was asked to be the opening act for Little River Band. They did this for two weeks and eventually Little River Band asked Wayne to join their group. They liked his work with Messina and brought him on in the same capacity as previously, which was bass and vocals. Wayne is a singer and songwriter. During his years with Little River Band, he has helped write many of their songs. He has been an important part of the band for over 40 years and is the longest serving member of the group. He has entertained hundreds of thousands of fans over the years and has seen the development of one of music’s greatest bands. He has seen the ups and downs. He became the lead vocalist in 2000 and has helped give direction the band’s efforts over the years from chart topping hits and world renown success to their new projects. There has been only 13 official members of the band since its inception, although they have played with many additional musicians. Wayne continues to help drive the creative aspect of the band and gave us some information about the history of the band’s success and their current ventures. 

Little River Band Success

Little River Band produced over 20 albums and according to their site “Worldwide album and CD sales now top 30 million.” In 1982 LRB set a record for having had Top 10 hits for 6 consecutive years. In fact, According to BMI, they were the very first band to achieve that remarkable plateau. They won various awards and were a huge success in both Australia, Canada and in the United States. They are considered one of Australia's most significant bands and In 2004 LRB was inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association Hall of Fame at the 18th Annual ARIA Music Awards. In the United States they scored 13 US Top 40 hits. Their song “Reminiscing” was recognized by BMI as one of the most frequently played songs in the history of US radio. 

Their hits include “Reminiscing,”  “Cool Change,” “Lonesome Loser,” “The Night Owls,”  “Take It Easy On Me,”  “Help Is on Its Way,”  “Happy Anniversary,”   “We Two,”  “Man On Your Mind,”  “The Other Guy,”  and “It’s A Long Way There.”

The current lineup of Little River Band members along with Wayne Nelson include:

Keyboardist Chris Marion is a Dove Award winning producer. Chris is the creator of all the orchestral arrangements and charts on The Big Box. It is amazing to watch him play, sing, and conduct from his riser! 

Lead Guitarist Rich Herring is a highly skilled player, singer, and producer of many Nashville artists…not to mention a great songwriter. He and Wayne have co-produced every LRB project since he joined the band. 

Drummer Ryan Ricks has locked down the rhythm section, and rounds out the vocals with his incredible range. Great singing drummers are rare…and LRB is lucky to have Ryan as part of that all-important vocal blend. 

Nashville Guitarist Colin Whinnery plays rhythm and lead guitar, and shares lead vocal duties with Wayne. He brings a brand-new voice and a fresh outlook to the rhythm section. 


The Band’s Support of the US Military and the community

Little River Band has experienced much success with the support of their fans and community. They always take the opportunity to give back to those communities and have benefited major causes including Wounded Warriors, Habitat for Humanity, Animal Rescue and Children’s Hospitals. They support the US Military and a few years ago, produced a song honoring those that served. The song they wrote is called 'Lost and The Lonely”. You can listen to that song below. It is included on their Black Tie Album. 



Little River Band’s Venture into Orchestral Accompaniment

There have been times where Little River Band has produced music that has included orchestral accompaniment. This was limited at first, but the music was considered exceptional. They did this in 1979 and 1983. In 1983 they produced an HBO special that brought in the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. They didn’t use orchestral accompaniment from 1983 until 2014. It is a more involved process with managing the arrangement and writing the charts. Wayne told me the story of how they started orchestral accompaniment again in 2014. He was talking on the phone that year with the drummer from the band, Kansas, Phil Ehart. Towards the end of that call, Phil mentioned to Wayne that he had to run to a rehearsal with an orchestra. Then Phil stopped and he said, you know Wayne, your music would be great with an orchestra. He said that Little River Band should do that. Wayne then suggested that idea to the band that that they needed to find somebody to write the charts. Their keyboard player, Chris Marion said “you don't have to find anybody. I studied orchestration in college. I can write the charts myself.” That is where it started. In 2014 they started to put this project together. Little by little they have honed the process to a point where they can complete what they need to accomplish with either seven people or a full 60-piece orchestra. It depends on what the city or the orchestra can provide. He said that they can perform with a small ensemble or a large one. They produced an album in 2020 of orchestral accompaniment music called “Black Tie”. 

The video below is of Little River Band singing a song from their “Black Tie” album called “I’m An Island”



Little Rivers Run Rough

During the 2020 pandemic, Wayne Nelson created a docu-series called “Little Rivers Run Rough” That doc-series was hosted by his best friend from High School, Al Bertani.  The 10 episode docu-series explores the music career of Wayne and gives a much deeper look into the music business in general. The series also comes with 10 podcasts if listening is the customer’s favorite means of discovery.

You can view a sample of that docu-series below

 


Click here to view Little River Band’s Website

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Click here to purchase tickets to the July 22 Little River Band concert


About Dosey Doe Big Barn

This 165 year old historical structure has been saved for its current purpose. Originally built as a tobacco barn in Kentucky, the 300-600 year old growth oak and birch massive beams are the foundation not only for a beautiful room for also for great acoustics. It is a place where memories are made. No need to run from restaurant to music hall, as here you have it all.

Their entrees are 'cooked from scratch' based on the season, special offerings of purveyors with the type of music of the night in mind. Their task is to offer a meal that would be the reason in and of itself to visit Dosey Doe. The presentation is note worthy and the creations are featured in several Cook Books from Canada to Texas. 

Nationally recognized artists from around the world dominate the calendar here: from Jerry Jeff Walker to The Rippingtons, Dave Mason to Lee Roy Parnell, Clint Black to Bela Fleck, Leon Russell to Spyro Gyra, Steve Wariner to Hayes Carll, Roger Creager to Mel Tillis, Manhattan Transfer to Gallagher... up very close and personal. Most artists will stay to have photos taken and give autographs after the show. Many very rarely do it anywhere but here and almost everyone says it is one of their favorite rooms to play.

'I have played them all, big and small, but I have never played a place that sounds as good as Dosey Doe!' - Gary P Nunn

'I will gladly tell anyone that Carnegie Hall cannot compete with Dosey Doe,' - Michael Martin Murphy

'One of my all time top 5 places to have played,' - Marcia Ball

Come early and enjoy the room. Filled with Americana artifacts from the late 1800s to the early 1900s, there is plenty to see. Your hands touching the hand-hewn 2000lb barn beams, your eyes filled with art, artifacts, signage from a simpler time, your taste buds excited from salad to dessert, and music so pure - up close and personal... all designed to 'Take You Away' and create a memory you will keep. 

The BIG BARN is home to great causes such as RETT and SWING FOR A CURE; benefits where proceeds go to help children's illnesses. The BIG BARN is available for large wedding receptions, corporate functions, birthdays and anniversary parties.

Click here to purchase tickets to the July 22 Little River Band concert