Little River Band will bring long list of hits, new songs to Cape

Little River Band bassist Wayne Nelson says the band's upcoming show in Cape Girardeau will be an "interactive scrapbook" of its music.

"The show is very much fan- and audience-interactive," he said. "It's intended to be a party, not just a presentation of the music."

Little River Band, which is celebrating its 40th year, will perform two shows at 7 and 9 p.m. Sept. 5 at Isle Casino Cape Girardeau.

The audience can expect the same tight harmony for which the band became famous with hits such as "Reminiscing" and "Cool Change."

But fans also will be hearing some new tunes, such as "You Dream, I'll Drive," which Nelson said has gotten a lot of play on Missouri airwaves.

The song is about a guy driving his convertible as the wind whips through his girlfriend's hair.

"It's a fun, funky song," Nelson said.

Other new songs include "Lost in the Lonely," about a young man in the military, and "I'm an Island," a song the band is considering for national release.

With the new songs, the band has written a new chapter, Nelson said.

Nelson alluded to some surprises fans can expect during the performance.

"There are a few twists and turns that keep the band and the audience on its toes," Nelson said.

Little River Band has sold more than 30 million albums during its four-decade career.

Nelson said people often attend a show expecting to hear a couple of their favorite tunes and end up recognizing many more songs, although he described the show as "revitalized, as opposed to a rehash and a look back."

The band's most recent album, "Cuts Like a Diamond," is its 16th.

The band formed in Australia in 1975, and some of the original members opted to stay in their home country when the band's popularity spread to the U.S.

"One by one, they left, as the band kept focusing on North America," Nelson said.

Though the band has experienced changes in membership, Nelson has been a constant for 35 years.

Before he joined Little River Band, the group had gone through seven bassists in just over four years.

"They had trouble holding on to a bass player," he said. "I don't know why."

The current band -- Malcolm Wakeford and Ryan Ricks on drums, Greg Herring and Rich Kind on guitar and Chris Marion on keyboard -- has been together longer than any other lineup in the band's history, including the founding members, Nelson said.

So far this year, Little River Band has played 90 shows and is intent on keeping the momentum going.

Nelson said after the show, band members go out front where merchandise is available, and they are happy to meet fans and talk with them.

General admission tickets are $25. Tickets for seats in the second and third rows are $35; front-row seats are sold out. Tickets may be picked up the day of the show after 4 p.m. at will call.

Pertinent address:

777 Main St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.