One song from the album “One Less Day (Dying Young),” which has already been released, was a particularly riveting moment for the enraptured Samala showroom audience. Thomas played much of his solo material, including songs for his upcoming album (Chip Tooth Smile), which will be released on April 26th. An animated Thomas fronted a band of no less than eight veteran musicians all of whom took turns wowing the crowd with solos and strong trade-offs of signature licks. The show featured the state of the art sound system, lighting, and live video displayed on giant screens that local music fans have come to expect at the Chumash Casino Resort. The concert in Santa Ynez was a spectacular production, and a preview of Thomas recently announced a summer tour, which begins on May 28th in New Jersey. According to the organization’s website, the foundation “is dedicated to providing critically needed funds and support to over 20 no-kill animal shelters and animal rescues, across the country, that helps to fight for the rights and fair treatment of those with no voice.” (This reviewers two feral cats rescued by one of these shelters in Los Angeles are looking on approvingly as I write this review.) The event was organized as a benefit for Thomas’s pet (pun intended) project, the Sidewalk Angels Foundation.

Music fans filled every nook and cranny of the showroom for the one-off concert. Not only was the show sold out long ago, but it was the largest audience at the venue since Stevie Wonder played there a few years ago.

Rob Thomas, best known as the frontman for Matchbox Twenty, played an extraordinary concert at Samala showroom in the Chumash Casino Resort, Friday night, March 29th.

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