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A fan of the Pittsburgh band since the late '80s or early '90s — she's lost track — the Hershey resident has traveled from Pittsburgh to New Jersey and points in between at least 20 times to see the band, whose music has been compared to Bruce Springsteen.
But on Sunday night, Welsh had an easier commute, as Grushecky and his band performed in the Long's Park Summer Music Series for the second year in a row.
"The best musicians you're going to hear," as Welsh describes them, hit the amphitheatre stage to a sea of umbrellas shielding spectators from the slanting rain falling on the park.
About 30 fans squeezed in among the bushes by the stage, some trying to find shelter under the amphitheatre's overhang.
Others, like Welsh, just wanted to be as close to the band as possible.
"It's a great night for a show," Grushecky said sarcastically, before he and his band members — drummer Joffo Simmons, bass guitarist Art Nardini, keyboard player Joe Peleskey and guitarists Danny Gochnour and Grushecky's 20-year-old son, Johnny — broke into their classic rock sound.
Umbrellas in the crowd bobbed as their owners moved to the music, toe-tapping, knee-slapping and head-bobbing as best they could under their shelters.
The band, once hailed by Rolling Stone as a "new American classic," pleased fans with hits like "Don't Forget Where You're Coming From," "Price of Love" and "Dark and Bloody Ground," which Grushecky co-wrote with Springsteen.
The rain stopped as dusk fell, and the band hit its stride with upbeat rock songs.
"Let's get this place shaking a little bit!" Grushecky yelled.
As if on command, the crowd of dancers stage-side promptly grew from two to more than 50, with people of all ages jumping, jiving and shaking to the tunes.
Welsh was on her feet too, clapping and throwing her head back in laughter as band members jumped in unison and played off one another on stage.
"My hands hurt, my voice is gone — they're just so amazing!" Welsh gushed.
After the show, Johnny Grushecky noted the crowd's enthusiasm through the storm and after.
"They were troupers," he said. "It was an awesome showing of dedication, sticking it out through the rain."
Crowd members who were unfamiliar with the band were pleased as well.
Richard Wimer of Lancaster, a "Bruce Springsteen fanatic" who had never heard the band, said he is a convert after Sunday night.
"This was the best free concert I've ever seen," Wimer said. "I would have paid 100 bucks or more to see them."
Johnny Grushecky said he and the band will be back next summer if they're asked, which should please fans like Welsh and Wimer.
"Can they be back next week? They couldn't come soon enough," Wimer said. "Lancaster needs more of this."
E-mail: khopkins@lnpnews.com
