RANCHO MURIETA, CA (MPG) - Super Diamond – the acclaimed Neil Diamond tribute band – drew many fans to the Lake Clementia Amphitheater on Aug. 18 when Entertainment, Theatre & Culture for Rancho Murieta (ETC) presented its third concert of the summer season.

“I believe we sold about 750 tickets,” said ETC Board President and emcee JT Turner. “While there was still room for more, overall attendance was good, and the crowd that showed up seemed to really enjoy the night.”

Before the show began, ETC presented its annual scholarship award (see separate story). Turner also thanked the evening’s sponsors, encouraged concertgoers to support Drewski’s Food Truck and fired T-shirts into the cheering crowd.

Once the band took the stage, the audience was swept into a glittering night of Neil Diamond’s greatest hits. The band’s 20-song set included “Cracklin’ Rosie,” “Song Sung Blue,” “Forever in Blue Jeans” and “Cherry Cherry.” The crowd responded with unbridled enthusiasm to “Sweet Caroline,” shouting back the familiar refrain and raising their arms high on cue: “Hands, touching hands, reaching out, touching me, touching you …”

“Super Diamond put on a fantastic show,” Turner said afterward. “They captured the spirit of Neil Diamond’s music with great energy. The band had great stage presence, and hearing so many people singing along to ‘Sweet Caroline’ under the stars was definitely a highlight of the evening.”

The band closed its regular set with a surprise: Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues.” When the crowd roared for more, they returned for an encore with Diamond’s patriotic anthem, “America.”

Formed in San Francisco in 1993, Super Diamond has evolved into one of the country’s most well-known tribute acts. Led by Randy Cordeiro, who performs as “The Surreal Neil,” the current lineup includes guitarist Chris Collins, keyboardist James Terris, bassist Rama Kolesnikow and drummer Vince Littleton.

Their reputation has earned them national coverage in Rolling Stone and The New York Times and appearances on CNN, VH1 and “The Late Show with David Letterman.” Even Neil Diamond himself performed alongside the band in 2000 and 2001.

Keyboardist and road manager James Terris appreciated the audience response.  

“The crowd was great. We don’t always know what to expect, but it seems like these outdoor events with families and all ages eventually press up against the stage, and we realize that we’ve won them over. Everyone’s smiling and having fun; it’s a really good feeling.”

Cordeiro was also impressed with the attendees. 

“Awesome, beautiful-looking crowd,” he said after the show. “Everyone’s so good-looking and into it, and dancing is awesome. We were so lucky that everybody came up close.

“I’d like to live in this community,” he added.

For longtime Neil Diamond devotee Marilyn Laver, the concert was a chance to relive music she never tires of hearing. 

“Oh, I loved it,” she said. “I never get tired of that music.” Laver has seen Neil Diamond perform live at least four times in the Bay Area and also attended his final concert in Sacramento before his retirement in 2018 due to Parkinson’s disease.

Laver has also attended Super Diamond concerts at least three times.  She follows the tribute band because the lead singer sounds so much like Neil Diamond. 

“Even Neil Diamond has said he sounds like him,” she said.

Laver brought both of her sons and one of their wives to the ETC concert. 

“We had a good time,” she said. “And, I do so love the venue.

As ETC’s summer concert season winds down, Turner reflected on the success. 

“It’s hard to believe the season is almost over,” he said. “Each concert has its own unique energy, and it’s been incredible to see the community come together concert after concert to enjoy the music and each other’s company.

“We’ve had some amazing talent this year, and we’re already looking ahead to making next season even better. But for now, we’re just enjoying the moment and feeling grateful for all the community support.”