Name: Bogmen Unite for Secret Smiles
Genre: Music
Duration: 2 h
Cast: Billy Campion, Chris Campion, Gordon Gano

As a born and raised Huntingtonian, I have always taken an interest in anything that has come out of my beloved town. When I say that The Bogmen and all off related artists should be heard by all who have an appreciation for pure talent

I attended this show on the first night and brought someone who had not experienced the live performance of this band. When Acquiesce came on, the tone of the night was set. I could see through the eyes of someone who had not already been captivated by these musicians. Acquieses performance was so good that the person I was with had thought that we were late and had missed some of the headline band.

Then we experienced not only a talented group of musicians, but a great storyteller in Chris Campion. Campions ability to draw the attention of a crowd is so unique. I could listen to Chris talk for days on end. But his talent does not stop there. He is a talented Lyricist and with guys such as Tom Licamelli and the rest of the troop, it disturbs me that these guys have not become world renowned rock stars.

Then there are the talents of such artists as Gordon Gano(Violent Femmes), and Jen Chapin(daughter of Harry yet stands on her own two feet as a musician) who blew the crowd away with a few oldies, as well as some compilations with the brothers Campion. Ganos performance was topped off with a fresh rendition of "American Music" accompanied by a unstoppable Chris Campion. This was one of the highlights of the show, along with what I think was an original by Brendan Ryan that Mr. Gano sang so brilliantly(Under The Sun). Background vocals were provided by Chris, Billy, and an unknown female that brought the song to an unbelievable finish.

Then there was this reunion that I had been waiting nearly 2 years for. While I had enjoyed the Knockoutdrops, and smiled and cried through the performances of Gordon Gano and Jen Chapin, I knew that there was something that was special about the reunion that I was witnessing. There were so many reasons for this to be the best show I had ever seen. It could've been the passion of Mark Wike, who had lost his father a little more than 3 months prior. But I knew that wasn't it because Mark had always played with a distinct passion. It could've been the loss of Brendan Ryans wife, that made him take his piano to a place where no one had witnessed before, and inspired Billy Ryan to follow suit. But the passion was the same as every show that this band has put on. It was the chemistry of this band that made this show so spectacular. I had seen this band in sold out venues and I had seen them in places where the crowd wasn't so sure, and no matter what, these guy just flat out put on the best shows ever. While many would say that the 2 nights at Irving were the best shows ever, I would disagree. In the 20 plus shows I had seen, The Bogmen had always put on the best show ever. Every time I have attended a performance of these musicians, I walked out with the feeling that I had been to the best concert ever.

I waited nearly 2 years for the release of the DVD. I was anxious. I was impatient. I was annoying to members of the band. After all of the stress, I was treated to a visual memory of one of the best nights of my life. If you do not know about the Bogmen, Knockout Drops, or any of the supporters of these artists, watch the first 5 minutes. You will not turn this piece of art(so perfectly captured by Chris Cassidy). The best live concert that I have ever been to

The music genre features stories showcasing musical performances, music-related documentaries and recordings of live concerts and music festivals.

Prince and Apollonia Kotero in Purple Rain (1984)

Two and a half years after their breakup, and two months after 9/11, the Bogmen joined together for two nights in December, 2001 at NYC's Irving Plaza. It was to support the charity Secret Smiles, founded by Kristy Irvine Ryan (wife of Bogmen keyboardist Brendan). Kristy was lost in the collapse of the World Trade Center, as were loved ones of many of those in attendance on these two very special nights in December.

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Billy Campion in Bogmen Unite for Secret Smiles (2003)

Bogmen Unite for Secret Smiles

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