Prepare for a Special night

The six-member rock and roll powerhouse .38 Special, will perform at The Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater this weekend.

Performances are scheduled for both Friday, August 22 and Saturday, August 23 as part of the Peachtree City venue’s second summer concert series.

Frontman Donnie Van Zant and vocalist/guitarist Don Barnes co-founded the band in their hometown of Jacksonville, Fla. nearly three decades ago. Early on, the band built a reputation with its own brand of Southern boogie and blues-rock before transforming into a more arena-rock-friendly style. 38 Special, named for the .38 Special bullet, scored big in its second decade with a slew of hits including such rockers as “Caught Up in You,” “Hold on Loosely,” “If I’d Been the One” and “Rockin’ into the Night.

The current lineup of .38 Special consists of guitarist and co-lead singer Barnes, rhythm guitarist and co-lead singer Van Zant, guitarist Danny Chauncey, bassist Larry Junstrom, keyboardist Bobby Capps and drummer Gary Moffatt.

The band has released more than 15 albums since 1975. From the start, they've toured relentlessly. The magic's still there, says Van Zant. "It's a high I can't describe to you. It’s almost like flying. When I walk up those steps to that stage and hear that audience roar, sometimes I feel like Don and I don't even have to sing, because the crowds are so vocal."

In 2007, 38 Special was the opening act on Lynyrd Skynyrd and Hank Williams Jr.'s Rowdy Frynds Tour. 38 Special's song "Trooper with an Attitude" was the opening sequence song in Broken Lizard's “Super Troopers.” The movie was released in 2001.

“38 Special is a classic and we can’t wait to have them back up on our stage,” said Lauren Yawn, executive director of the Peachtree City Tourism Association.

Gates open at 6:30 p.m. The opener will begin at 8:00 p.m. and 38 Special will hit the stage at 9:00 p.m.

The remainder of The Lexus of South Atlanta 2008 Summer Concert Series includes Chris Isaak September 5 and 6, Trisha Yearwood September 12 and 13, and Dickey Betts & Great Southern September 26 and 27.

Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster at 404-249-6400, Online at www.ticketmaster.com, or at The Fred box office. For more information call the box office at 770-631-0630 or visit www.amphitheater.org.

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