Never one to shy away from some setlist theatrics, the jokers in Greensky Bluegrass nodded to the Rose Music Center at The Heights on Friday with a cover of “Every Rose Has Its Thorn”. The Poison cover arrived during the encore of Greensky’s show in Huber Heights outside Dayton, OH and featured guitarist Lyle Brewer from opening act Neighbor.

Lighters darted skyward as Dave Bruzza began the song on acoustic guitar, with Paul Hoffman leaning into his gravelly delivery for the Brett Michaels lyrics. The ’80s chart-topper turned into a full-throated sing-along, and in case that wasn’t enough, Brewer—who had earlier assisted on an Allman Brothers Band “Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More” cover in the first set—walked onstage just in time to deliver the iconic guitar solo. According to Phantasy Tour, Greensky Bluegrass hadn’t covered “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” since November 26th, 2011 during a hometown show in Kalamazoo, MI.

This past week has witnessed an ongoing trend of Greensky using encores for choice covers. The phenomena began last Wednesday in Grand Rapids with the fan-requested debut of The Beatles‘ “Let It Be”, continued on Friday with “Every Rose”, and rolled on with Black Sabbath‘s “War Pigs” on Saturday in Cincinnati, OH.

Check out Greensky Bluegrass’ cover of Poison’s “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” at Rose Music Center with Lyle Brewer. The band’s summer tour picks back up in two weeks when Greensky hosts 4848 Festival in Snowshoe, WV. For tickets and a full list of tour dates head here.

Greensky Bluegrass, Lyle Brewer – “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” (Poison) – 6/30/23

Setlist: Greensky Bluegrass | Rose Music Center | Huber Heights, OH | 6/30/23

Set One: Old Barns, Little Maggie (The Stanley Brothers), Handguns, Take Cover, Past My Prime, Better Off, Get Out, Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More (Allman Brothers Band) [1], Give a Shit [1]

Set Two: Courage for the Road > Broken Highways, Bone Digger (Cris Jacobs), Cold Feet, New Rize Hill, Do It Alone, Living Over, Worried About the Weather > China Cat Sunflower (Grateful Dead) > Courage for the Road

Encore: Every Rose Has Its Thorn [1]

[1] w/ Lyle Brewer (Neighbor) on guitar