The Bret Michaels Band took the stage promptly at 8pm following localized storms and much anticipation. It turned out to be a beautiful summer evening in Washington, PA at the Hollywood’s Meadowlands Racetrack just outside the Casino tent venue where the band has performed in the past. The venue had sold tickets individually as well as a ticket package for Bret Michaels and tonight’s Stone Temple Pilots show, and from what we were told, sales were exponentially higher than the tent’s capacity forcing the show to move outdoors.
Our first time seeing a show on the racetrack which predates the indoor casino facilities that came much later as Pennsylvania opened up gambling licenses. Just south of Pittsburgh in ‘little’ Washington, the area has now become a tourist destination with hotels, outlet shopping, and restaurants galore. Luckily for me, it is right in my backyard, as this was the first of two shows I’d be covering for The Pure Rock Shop in one evening (with Slaughter forty minutes North at Jergels).
Bret Michaels is joined by long-time lead guitarist and band director Pete Evick and Dean Cramer on rhythm guitar as well as the always larger than life bassist Stormin’ Norman Voss, hard-hitting drummer Meri Schaefer killing it behind the kit, and keyboardist Rob Jozwiak adding keys to the mix.
The show included the usual Poison band favorites like “Ride the Wind” and “Unskinny Bop,” as well as some fun little extras like the addition of “Fallen Angel” mid-set and finale that took a departure from the band’s typical set list by including “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” near the end. This gave us a bit more darkness to light the place up with cell phone flashlights before the band closed out the night with “Nothin’ But a Good Time” as always.
As most fans know, Bret Michaels is a lifelong type 1 diabetic, and despite having low blood sugar last night, his positive high-energy and determination showed through as he gave it all he had (and then some) for his hometown crowd while proudly wearing Pittsburgh Pirates and Pittsburgh Steelers logos on his hats as local fans waved their Terrible Towels in joy.
We are glad to hear that Bret is feeling better today and ready to hit the stage once again in Oklahoma tonight at the WinStar World Casino and Resort in honor of their hometown heroes. Bret’s generosity and spirit never cease to amaze me, and it is no surprise how much his fans adore him. It was such a pleasure walking the crowd and capturing everyone enjoying the show, and I even had the pleasure of hearing the story of a grateful mom whose son was able to attend a diabetes camp thanks to Bret’s charitable donation. We wish him and the band good health and safe travels this summer and always!
Review and photos by Kara Uhrlen for The Pure Rock Shop. Posted on 6/27/2025
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