When The Marshall Tucker Band had to cancel last year’s annual Rangeley Health and Wellness benefit concert due to Covid, I for one was disappointed. I grew up listening to their music and seriously have played “Can’t You See” countless times, and often on repeat. Recorded in 1973, fifty years ago, it’s still on my favorite playlists, and always will be. Emotional songs get me whether they are happy or sad.

Perhaps it’s the balance of the happy and sad that makes it so good. Case in point, it made me appreciate them even more when they came to do this year’s concert.

Another example is that despite the rainy weather, the show went on and the dancing was for many like me, that much more fun. Dancing in puddles, not giving a care how you look, letting nature pour over you while the music was blasting- it was fabulous!

I also became a fan of Gary Levox who I admit I really didn’t know very well. An admirer of Rascal Flatts sure, but I just never know how someone will do when they are solo. However, by the end of the night I was having a great time and boy can he sing!

Like any good party, you can’t force things to go well. You can’t predict the weather, you can spend oodles of money on food, drink and music, but when all is said and done, none of it really matters if you don’t have the right people.

The right people to set it up, the right people to follow through, professionals and volunteers who do their best and a spirited crowd that knows how to party.

Then the show really gets going. At one point, the crowds merged, the fence separator was removed and oh what a night we had!

Thank you to RRHW for all you do for our community all year long, volunteers, vendors, safety and security teams and also to all the good sports who let me take their picture!

See you next year! I don’t care who’s playing. I know we’re going to have a blast!

Gary Levox

Movers and Shakers- Patti Butler, Blaine Williams and Janet Koob Alexander

Thanks to all the folks who were there ‘just in case’… Seen here Stephen Grant and Lisa Symes, both of NorthStar.

Always up for a good time- Barbara and Bill Gehrlein

Gary Levox

Seen here Leah Lemieux- Holla!

Some fun folks just stick out in a crowd!

The Marshall Tucker Band

Marshall Tucker Band fan Pat Butler

These guys were a whole lotta fun

Peace lovin’ Jaqueline Vogeley

Thank you to awesome staff of Shed BBQ who provided delicious sustenance needed to dance that much longer!

Wills Morton and Sarah Henry celebrate the meaningful gift of tambourine from the Marshall Tucker Band which happened to be none other than her father’s first concert!