Peoria Times
November 25, 2021
FEATURES
21
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‘Copycat’ Eagles tribute musicians are lifelong fans BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Peoria Times Executive Editor
John Waxman is a fan of the Eagles for two primary reasons: harmonies and guitar work. Waxman has the rare opportunity to pay tribute to his heroes with the act One of These Nights, who plays the Arizona Broadway Theatre on Monday, Nov. 29. “The Eagles are a band that we’ve all followed for years,” said Waxman, who performs guitarist Joe Walsh’s parts. “I’m older than some of my bandmates. I’m from the Bay Area. I saw them in the early ’70s and Billy Joel was opening for them. “I’ve seen the transformations of the different members of the band.” At One of These Nights’ shows, the tribute act focuses on the Eagles’ hits, although the musicians do enjoy the legendary band’s deep cuts.
Eagles tribute musicians will perform the act One of These Nights at the Arizona Broadway Theatre on Monday, Nov. 29. (Photo courtesy of John Waxman)
“We only play 90 minutes,” said Waxman, of Mesa. “We want to play the songs that people are most familiar with. It’s so exciting. Nine out of 10 people like the Eagles — except Jeff Bridges in ‘The Big Lebowski.’ “Most people know the words and are singing along. Fans are so happy,
and every show is a fun show for us.” Besides Eagles songs, One of These Nights performs solo Don Henley tracks like “Boys of Summer” and three solo Joe Walsh tunes. “We put a little bit of our own spin on the music,” said Waxman, who uses a Talk Box like Walsh. “We modeled this
show after the ‘Live from Melbourne’ tour, the first one they did. We do stick pretty close, but we’ll throw some lead solos in that aren’t quite the studio version.” Waxman has been a fan of the Eagles since he first saw them in 1975 in Berkeley, California. “They had just come out with their first album with ‘Take It Easy’ and ‘Peaceful Easy Feeling,’” he said. “My brother was a musician. After that, I loved them. I was a fan from that day on. I saw them again at Day on the Green (festival in Oakland, California) when Joe Walsh had joined, and one more time on ‘Hell Freezes Over.’” One of These Nights was founded about seven years ago but lead singer/guitarist JD Madrid of Phoenix has been performing Eagles songs for nearly 15 years. The band also inSEE EAGLES PAGE 23
Peoria wood sculptor participating in Hidden in the Hills BY PEORIA TIMES STAFF Each of Matt Werner’s wood sculptures tells a story. Whether the Peoria resident is sculpting people in action or sitting quietly, his goal is for viewers to find their own story in the pieces. Werner will showcase his artwork during Hidden in the Hills, which continues Friday, Nov. 26, to Sunday, Nov. 28. Coordinated by the nonprofit Sonoran Arts League, this year’s free, self-guided tour features 191 artists at 45 studios throughout the scenic Desert Foothills communities of Cave Creek, Carefree and North Scottsdale. A native of Philadelphia, Werner was a teenager when he discovered an appreciation for art. “I often visited the Philadelphia Mu-
Peoria wood sculptor Matt Werner works on “Innocence Ended,” a piece that was inspired by the events of 9/11. (Photos courtesy of Matt Werner)
“Inner Child” by Peoria wood sculptor Matt Werner.
seum of Art, and one day, I found Auguste Rodin’s ‘Burghers of Calais’ installed on the parkway adjacent to the museum. I had never seen anything so powerful. After that experience, I had a wholly different perspective on what art could be,” he said. Werner was also passionate about geology. After earning his doctorate, he embarked on a career in geology consulting that spanned more than three decades. “In 2004, I started a gradual transition to an encore career as a sculptor. After working so many years in the sciences, sculpting wood gave me a new vocabulary for expressing myself. In 2011, I finally was able to step out of my preSEE SCULPTOR PAGE 23
