A Heartfelt Evening at the Regent Theatre with Karla Bonoff

I’m bringing it to you personally - Karla Bonoff

The Regent Theater hosted An Evening with Karla Bonoff to a full house on Friday, August 23. Several newcomers came to the 108-year-old theatre to see the singer. Taking the stage, Karla Bonoff sang various melodies, spanning decades, accompanied by renowned guitarist, Nina Gerber. The evening was a special one as Bonoff’s music took the spotlight.

For those unfamiliar with Karla Bonoff, she is a singer-songwriter whose musical career started in the 1960s. Her passion for music began at age fifteen. Bonoff’s journey didn’t immediately jump off the music charts, but she followed her musical dreams with several connections she made.

Bonoff has written critically acclaimed songs performed by artists, including Wynonna Judd, Bonnie Raitt, and Linda Rondstadt. She was friends with many musicians from the 60s and 70s, like The Eagles and Jackson Browne.

Described as the finest singer-songwriter of her generation, Bonoff is an expressive singer. Her voice is smooth and powerful, creating a beautiful sound. Throughout the night, she switched from the guitar to the piano, playing both euphorically. I loved listening to her vocals as she poured emotion into every note.

Bonoff’s setlist included mainly songs she wrote, but she also sang a few written by others. She sang, ‘Someone to Lay Down Beside Me’ which she wrote for Linda Ronstadt. She also gave a wonderful rendition of ‘Something Fine,’ by Jackson Browne, a bittersweet melody about longing for comfort and escape to find your dreams.

I have just entered into the music stream, attending concerts whenever possible. One of my favorite aspects of any musician's repertoire is when they share stories. Bonoff shared several stories throughout the night, talking about experiences that shaped her music career. Just like the song, a story transforms the melodies.

One of my favorites was ‘Goodbye My Friend.’ The story behind this melancholic song was based on her cat, Tex, who ran away and never returned. The song is a tearjerker, but the words are perfect for any loss. The song is relatable to any pet owner who has said goodbye to their pets. When I heard this song, I recalled several wonderful memories of my loving dog.

Bonoff also treated audiences to songs about her struggles with writer’s block. Writer’s block is hard to overcome, but as Bonoff commented, never give up because you never know when opportunities arise. When an artist opens up like that, they’re willing to be vulnerable.

As Bonoff took a short break, Nina Gerber also treated the audience to an inspiring guitar rendition of ‘Imagine’ by John Lennon.

The evening concluded with ‘Personally,’ Bonoff’s only top 40 hit single. This song encapsulates Bonoff's gifted songwriting abilities. She delivered the lyrics with sincerity and warmth. By the last note, the song left the audience with a sense of connection, not just to the artist but to each other. She then gave us the traditional folksong ‘The Water is Wide’ to end the show.

The Regent Theater made an excellent spot for Bonoff’s concert, which showed off, once again, the great acoustics of this 108-year-old theater. It’s a beautifully decorated theater that creates a welcoming atmosphere. The lighting arrangements are worthy of praise for matching the quality of Bonoff’s songs.

An Evening with Karla Bonoff was a special night indeed. I am thankful that I got to experience this show. Bonoff’s career resonates across several generations. Her music may not be a part of my generation, but this concert is a reminder that music has the power to entertain and connect people. It was a fantastic and heartfelt evening to share with many.