Steven Keene Opens for 38 Special at State Theatre New Jersey
From “New Jersey Stage,” October 10, 2025
On Thursday, October 16, 2025, Steven Keene opened for Southern rock legends 38 Special at State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick, a stop on the band’s 50 Year Legacy Tour. New Jersey Stage announced the show the week before, naming Keene as the night’s opening act.
It was a chance for Keene to bring his Dylan- and Guthrie-rooted songwriting to one of New Jersey’s landmark theaters, just weeks after the release of his album Notice Me, and in front of a crowd that grew up on classic American rock.
“Opening the night is singer-songwriter Steven Keene.” – New Jersey Stage
Who Are 38 Special?
Photo courtesy of State Theatre New Jersey.
38 Special formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1974, founded by guitarist and vocalist Don Barnes and vocalist Donnie Van Zant, the younger brother of Lynyrd Skynyrd frontman Ronnie Van Zant. Through the 1980s they became one of the defining bands of Southern and arena rock, a fixture on radio and MTV with hits like “Rockin’ into the Night,” “Hold On Loosely,” the top-10 single “Caught Up in You,” “If I’d Been the One,” “Back Where You Belong” and “Second Chance.” Along the way they’ve sold an estimated 20 million albums.
Fifty years on, the band is still on the road. In September 2025 they released Milestone, their first album of new music in more than 20 years, recorded mostly live in the studio with guests including Train’s Pat Monahan, Randy Bachman and longtime collaborator Jim Peterik. Their 50 Year Legacy Tour celebrates five decades of those songs, and for the New Brunswick show, Steven Keene had the honor of opening the night.
Listen: Notice Me | Watch: Notice Me (Official Video)
