BLAIR, NEBRASKA (2024 December 24, Tuesday)
Don Harrold, Writer / Editor
blairtoday@mail.com – Facebook
Blair music lovers can catch Shifting Gears Band at Just Mary’s this Saturday, December 28, from 8 PM to midnight, bringing their unique blend of country and rock to the local stage.
“I started Shifting Gears Band as a 3 piece group in the summer of 2022 after being a member of Shifting Sands Band for 21 years,” explains band owner Jay Robb. “After Shifting Sands Band had ended in 2018, I was working as a fill-in drummer for any local bands needing a drummer to help out. After about 3 years of filling-in with local bands, I decided I really wanted to continue playing music on a regular basis and decided to get my band Shifting Gears started.”
The band’s musical foundation comes from diverse backgrounds: “Our country/rock style developed quite easily as myself and our lead guitarist at the time came from bands that played had played a variety of country music. Our bass player at the time had previously played in rock n roll bands. With our backgrounds in country and rock music, it was easy to put together a mix of each genre.”
Audiences can expect an engaging show. “What makes a Shifting Gears show unique is our versatility of being able to play a variety of country and rock music, what our audiences enjoy listening and dancing to,” Robb says. “Our audience can expect good vibes, and great music.”
Their setlist includes crowd favorites: “Some of our most favorite songs we perform that really connects with the audience would include The Breakup Song by the Greg Kihn Band, Brooks and Dunn’s Boot Scootin Boogie and Neon Moon, John Denver’s Country Roads, Darius Rucker’s Wagon Wheel, and Waylon Jennings’s Good Hearted Woman.”
The band’s name carries deep family roots. “What had inspired me to choose the name Shifting Gears, was during the time I had been a member of the band Shifting Sands, a well known country and classic rock band from the Scribner area that had been playing music since 1973 formed by Mike and Sharon Robb,” explains Robb. “I had started with Shifting Sands in January 1997 and had played with them since November 2018. After 2001, Shifting Sands was a 3 piece band consisting of my parents Mike & Sharon and myself.”
He continues, “While being a member of Shifting Sands, I had always wanted to someday carry on the family tradition of playing music. I had thought by keeping the family tradition going, I’d eventually ‘branch off’ and start my own band. I honestly couldn’t think of an appropriate band name but while playing gigs with Shifting Sands. I’d hear my dad say to the audience how we are going to now ‘shift gears’ to a different genre and hearing my mom come up with the name Shifting Gears, the name Shifting Gears just seemed to fit perfectly.”
The band emphasizes audience connection: “We really strive to have a good rapport with our audience. We except requests and are glad to perform them if we’re able to.”
“Blair residents definitely need to come out and hear Shifting Gears this Saturday night at Just Mary’s from 8pm-12am. Blair residents will enjoy great listening and dancing music. They can check us out on Facebook…Shifting Gears Band and see where we are playing next.”
For those looking for post-holiday entertainment and great live music, come out to Just Mary’s this Saturday night, December 28, from 8 PM to midnight. With their mix of danceable country and rock hits, welcoming atmosphere, and crowd interaction, Shifting Gears Band promises a memorable evening. The venue is located in Blair, and as Jay Robb says, they’re happy to take requests. For more information about upcoming shows, find Shifting Gears Band on Facebook.
