The anticipation of fulfilling a 40-year-old dream of “Let It Be Me” to meet Jay and the Americans began when I attended their concert at B. B. King Blues Club on Saturday, July 26th. It stirred up some memories and mixed emotions of my college days and “She Cried” relationships. It was going to be “Some Enchanted Evening,” but I had a feeling we would soon be “Walkin’ in the Rain” since the weather forecast was “Stormy Weather” for “Sunday.”

The show opened with the USA Band who made a dedication to Bo Didley, who recently passed away. We enthusiastically met our headliners as they opened with “Only in America” and we were introduced to the original three members who then introduced us to the new Jay -Jay #3, whose real name just happens to be Jay. They all continued to perform “Let’s Lock The Door and Throw Away the Key.” The original members started to relate a little history of their group and songwriters they worked with during their career, including Neil Diamond. It was then that Jay left the stage (the first of three times) and returned after the song, “Save The Last Dance For Me.” They continued with some of their other hits including “Pretty Woman,” as Jay walked among the front tables. They then performed “Cara Mia” and there was thunderous applause for Jay's solo! The band continued to enthrall us during “Some Enchanted Evening” and urged us to “Come a Little Bit Closer.” They teased the audience as they began to conclude the show but returned to perform everyone's request “This Magic Moment,” which resulted in more thunderous applause and a standing ovation.