MIDDLETOWN - Right on time at 9:30 p.m. sharp, Rod Stewart waltzed onto the Mohegan Sun stage in a baby blue suit, along with three baby blue sequined dresses to match on the backing vocalists.

       Looking smooth on the all-white stage floor, Stewart launched into the night’s opener, â€�"Infatuation,” which began his campaign of smash hit after smash hit, highlighting a celebrated career. Stewart made a strong impression on his fans with songs covering his entire career, but not inclusive of his foray in the American Songbook. Younger fans may not know that he once shared the stage with some great guitarists, including Jeff Beck and Ronnie Wood, who later left The Faces for The Rolling Stones.

       A three-piece horn section, a trio of backup singers, a seven-piece band and towering video screens surrounded Stewart, but he was always the focal point. â€�"You Wear It Well,” â€�"Tonight’s the Night,” and â€�"Forever Young” were fan favorites. The core of Stewart’s set was an acoustic stripped down runoff of â€�"The First Cut is the Deepest,” â€�"Reason to Believe,” and â€�"Have I Told You Lately,” which included a local Connecticut string section. The backup singers took over for a bit and did a fair impersonation on Ike and Tina Turner’s â€�"Proud Mary,” inclusive of the diva’s trademark fringe dresses.

       Stewart took a moment to dedicate â€�"Rhythm of My Heart” to the armed forces and stating, quite directly, â€�"It’s a shame how they’re treated when they return.”

       Rod returned in a gold suit and shoes to match to wind down the evening. Steward brought back opening act Carlos Santana for a soulful rendition of Etta James’ â€�"I’d Rather Go Blind.” The houselights came up for the sing-along of â€�"You’re in My Heart (The Final Acclaim)” followed by the dozen or so personally autographed soccer balls that came out for â€�"Hot Legs,” which he kicked to all corners of the arena. Stewart closed the evening with â€�"Maggie May” and â€�"Do Ya Think I’m Sexy.”

       Granted, these days Stewart sings in a bit of a lower register, but at 68 he still puts an impressive amount of energy into his gig. What makes Stewart an endearing performer is that he isn’t distant to his audience and he genuinely likes to throw in personal touches to his tours and share parts of his life with you.

      

       SET LIST

       1. Infatuation

       2. Twistin’ the Night Away (Sam Cooke cover)

       3. Some Guys Have All the Luck (The Persuaders cover)

       4. Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright)

       5. You Wear It Well

       6. Can’t Stop Me Now

       7. I’d Rather Go Blind (Etta James cover with Carlos Santana)

       8. Rhythm of My Heart

       9. Forever Young

       10. The First Cut Is the Deepest (Cat Stevens cover)

       11. Reason to Believe (Tim Hardin cover)

       12. Have I Told You Lately (Van Morrison cover)

       13. Sweet Little Rock & Roller (Chuck Berry cover)

       14. Proud Mary (Creedence Clearwater Revival cover)

       15. You’re in My Heart (The Final Acclaim)

       16. Hot Legs

       17. Maggie May

       18. Encore:

       19. Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?

      

       UPCOMING EVENTS

       Foxwoods

       July 6 has O.A.R and Phillip Phillips at the Fox. O.A.R. released their first album, The Wanderer, prior to graduating high school and stayed together throughout college, with all members attending Ohio State University. Recording two additional albums before leaving Columbus, the band began pursuing their musical dreams full-time in the summer of 2001. By the end of 2008, the band had released six studio albums and three live double disc CDs.

       Phillip Phillips’ biggest single last year, the quadruple-platinum â€�"Home,” showcases the American Idol season 11 winner’s rich, raspy vocals and masterful guitar skills. â€�"Home” served as the lead single from The World from the Side of the Moon, a platinum-selling album that shot to #4 on the Billboard Top 200 Album chart. Phillips’ widely-acclaimed debut album also features the platinum single â€�"Gone, Gone, Gone.”

      

       Mohegan Sun

       Mohegan is having a blockbuster July when it comes to entertainment. John Mellencamp plays July 5. Justin Timberlake plays the Sun July 18 followed by Queen and Adam Lambert on the 19th and 25th of July.

      

       The Oakdale

       Come spend an evening with Crosby, Stills & Nash at the Oakdale July 16.

      

       Xfinity Theater

       July 9 returns Bruno Mars and his â€�"Moonshine Jungle Tour” to Connecticut by way of the Xfinity Theater. Don’t miss one of the biggest shows of the season.

      

       Quintessential Artist Dave Matthews play Xfinity July 11 and 12. Matthews was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. A self-taught musician, he found success working with his band between 1990 to 2003, initially playing in small venues, frat houses and other college venues. Word spread quickly throughout America, achieving a devoted following. Following the success of the band’s second album Crash, which debuted at No. 2, they hosted a live performance at New York Madison square Garden, which sold out in under 3 hours. Their 2005 album, Stand Up, topped the Billboard charts in its first week, and now they are touring across America, selling out venues as they go.

      

       Entertainer/professional makeup artist Joby Rogers welcomes your comments and contributions online at jrchronicle@gmail.com