38 Special’s 50th Anniversary Show in Wheeling: A Southern Rock Experience

By Dave Parsons

On a very brisk February evening, the legendary southern rock band 38 Special brought their 50^th Anniversary tour into Wheeling, West Virginia.  Displaying their powerhouse performance that has endured all these decades, the audience at the Capitol Theater was in for quite a treat, from one of the most enduring acts in classic rock history.

38 Special was formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1972, and quickly became one of the defining bands of the southern rock movement. Led by Don Barnes, their sound blended the grittiness of rock with smooth, radio-friendly melodies, their live performances built their loyal fanbase, and many of the filed into the Capitol Theater to relive some of their glory days.

38 Special launched into Rockin Into the Night, and immediately the audience was on their feet. Not even soaking in the applause after the last note, the band immediately morphed into Wild-Eyed Southern Boys and so it went throughout the evening.  The band had the audience trying to catch their breath all night.

Songs like Back Where You Belong and Honky Tonk Dancer had the crowd singing along in full force.  The middle portion of the set allowed 38 Special to dive into deeper cuts and showcase songs that were heard other than radio.  Their songs found their way into several movies in the 80’s, and the tongue in cheek humor about those movies, before playing the songs, added another dimension to the show.  

38 Special’s most successful ballad, Second Chance, came about half way through the set and gave the crowd a short break. 

Some hard rocking romps through Fantasy Girl and Good Times set the stage for the sprint to the finish line.  The crowd erupted as they launched into Caught Up in You, their most iconic hit.  After a brief trip off stage for some water, the band returned for an encore of Chain Lighnin’ complete with some pretty cool stage lighting.  

After another trip to the wings, 38 Special closed the evening with Hold on Loosely and the classic Travelin’ Band.  The energy on the closing number was amazing and what a rock and roll show should be. 

The current lineup of 38 Special features a talented group of musicians who brought that energy all night long.  Don Barnes on lead vocals and guitar is a founding member and driving force behind the band.  Drummer Garry Moffatt keeps them tight, while bass man Barry Dunaway keeps the songs in tact and the groove coming.  A seasoned guitarist, Jerry Riggs has some incredible solos, and keyboardist Bobby Capps, has some incredible live arrangements for songs that are over 50 years old.

38 Special’s performance at the Capitol Theater on February 21, 2025, was a testament to their enduring legacy and the timeless power of southern rock. With a setlist packed with hits, masterful musicianship, and an audience that fed off every note, the night was a resounding success. For those in attendance, it was more than just a concert—it was a journey through rock history, delivered by a band that still knows how to bring the fire.

38 Special Setlist

  1.) Rockin’ Into the Night

  2.) Wild-Eyed Southern Boys

  3.) Back Where You Belong

  4.) The Sound of Your Voice

  5.) Back to Paradise

  6.) Honky Tonk Dancer

  7.) Rough-Housin’

  8.) Teacher Teacher

  9.) You Keep Runnin’ Away

 10.) Somebody Like You

 11.) Second Chance

 12.) Like No Other Night

 13.) Heart’s on Fire

 14.) Radar Rider

 15.) If I’d Been the One

 16.) Fantasy Girl

 17.) Good Times

 18.) Caught Up in You

 19.) Chain Lightnin’   (Encore)

 20.) Hold On Loosely   (Encore)

 21.) Travelin’ Band