Concert Review: Southern Accents Bring Tom Petty Magic to Rosemont's Parkway Bank Park

Under the glowing canopy of Parkway Bank Park, Southern Accents: The Ultimate Tom Petty Experience delivered a standout performance Thursday evening. The free Rockin’ in the Park series welcomed the band at 7 PM., drawing fans with faithful renditions of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers’ classics. The night was capped by a touching debut from bassist Paul Jones’s son, Brendan Jones, who joined the band for “Honeybee,” marking a special family moment on stage.

🎸 Southern Accents: A Tribute Done Right

Southern Accents, based in Nashville, prides itself on replicating the look, feel, and sound of Tom Petty’s live performances—with no backing tracks, just raw, live energy. From lead singer Ronnie Gregg’s uncanny vocal resemblance to Petty, to Paul Jones’s authentic bass lines channeling Ron Blair and Howie Epstein, the band hits every note with precision and heart.

The band’s chemistry was on full display thanks to the powerhouse rhythm of Tony Mac on drums, who kept the tempo tight and explosive throughout the night. Guitarist Nick Swan brought edge and melody, capturing Mike Campbell’s iconic tone while adding his own soulful flair. On keyboards, Jeff Hollandsworth added rich, textured layers that brought Petty’s signature sound to life, especially during fan favorites like “You Don’t Know How It Feels” and “Don’t Come Around Here No More.”

🌟 Standout Moment: Brendan Jones Joins for “Honeybee”

Perhaps the concert’s most heartfelt moment came when bassist Paul Jones stepped aside to let his son Brendan Jones take the spotlight on “Honeybee.” Brendan's debut brought fresh emotion to the evening, adding a multi-generational flair that drew cheers from the crowd. It was a touching tribute to family, music, and legacy.

🎶 Highlights from the Setlist

Southern Accents delivered an impressive selection of Petty favorites, including:

• “American Girl”
• “Learning to Fly”
• “Don’t Come Around Here No More”
• “Free Fallin’”
• “Runnin’ Down a Dream”

Each song was performed with passion and authenticity, keeping the crowd on their feet and singing along from start to finish.

💃 Energy in the Park: Fans Up and Dancing

From the "grassy" lawn parkgoers didn’t stay seated for long. The band’s chemistry and undeniable groove got the entire park moving. Whether dancing, swaying, or belting out lyrics, fans were locked in from the opening song to the final encore.

🎆 Post‑Show Fireworks Synchronized to Tom Petty Classics

Following the concert, Parkway Bank Park delighted the crowd with a musical fireworks display, a signature feature of its Rockin’ in the Park series, which runs every Thursday from May through late August.

What made it especially memorable was that the fireworks were choreographed to Tom Petty classics—from fiery bursts during the chorus of “Runnin’ Down a Dream” to gentle sparkles timed with the refrain of “Free Fallin’.” It was a visually stunning finale that synchronized perfectly with the evening’s musical theme.

👏 Why It Mattered

Southern Accents proved why they're considered one of America’s premier Tom Petty tribute acts. With stellar musicianship, heartfelt performance, and moments of pure joy—like Brendan Jones’s debut—the band not only honored Tom Petty’s legacy but celebrated the enduring power of live music.

✅ Final Verdict

Southern Accents delivered a soaring tribute to Tom Petty on a perfect summer night at Parkway Bank Park. With the combined talents of Ronnie Gregg, Paul and Brendan Jones, Tony Mac, Nick Swan, and Jeff Hollandsworth, this was more than a tribute—it was a celebration of rock 'n' roll done right.

For more pictures - Southern Accents

Photos by Margolin Photography