The band played a show in Ontario last night, exactly one year after playing their first show with Deacon and Vince in Los Angeles. Yes, it’s been a year.

At the time, Don H said it may the last time they played there, apparently unsure about the audience response and demand as well as how well they would gel together as a group on stage. No one knew for sure if the Classic concerts would be their last performances and there was speculation there would be a full tour.

These questions have been answered, as fan and critical reception have been quite positive. Second shows at different venues have been added and one in Florida saw its biggest concert crowd in its 82-year history.

Obviously not everyone has met this new line-up as a positive development. But clearly the sky did not fall, no one has forgotten Glenn, and the Eagles as they are now (I have never accepted the premise others have put forward that Don, Joe and Timothy are no longer Eagles b/c Glenn is gone) have shown they can still entertain and make fans happy.

The support that has been shown for Deacon has been heart-warming and he has only been getting better as a performer. Those of us who already knew of Vince Gill’s talent aren’t surprised he’s been an asset and he has gained respect and admiration from new fans. No wonder Don H said Vince was the only one they considered inviting into the band.

Going forward there have been rumblings about new music, and Don has said Deacon wants to write. If the band wants to continue after this tour is over and stay fresh then new music is imperative. Of course they may decide to “take it easy” and slow things down next year. They aren’t getting any younger, though Deacon has a bright future ahead of him with this year as a great springboard.

So has anything changed for anyone here on this board? What has been surprising and not-so-surprising? Time has a way of both softening and sharpening viewpoints. It would be nice to hear from those who have been mostly silent on this issue.