That Eighties Band keeps the decade alive
By: Lexi Marshall
There’s a certain kind of electricity that only nostalgia can deliver—the opening synth of a familiar song, a chorus you didn’t realize you still knew by heart, the collective swell of a crowd singing along. That’s the space That Eighties Band has been filling for years, turning venues across Colorado into full-fledged throwbacks.
Now, they’re bringing that energy to the main stage as the headlining act for the 6th annual AvidLifestyle and Colorado AvidGolfer Wheels of Dreams Charity Experience, a luxury gala on September 17, 2026, that pairs live entertainment with a larger purpose.
For frontman Travis LeRoy, the band’s origin story is rooted in both reflection and instinct. After spending the ’80s and ’90s playing in original bands, he stepped away from the scene and found himself drawn back to the music that shaped him. He wanted to build a band to celebrate the decade in full—not just as a setlist, but as an experience.
“From the moment the show starts, we want people to feel like they’ve stepped back into the decade, reliving the music that defined it,” LeRoy says.
What started in a basement grew, evolving into a group that has remained consistent. Today, That Eighties Band includes LeRoy on lead vocals and bass, Martha Forester on lead vocals, Mick Drybread on guitar and vocals, James Nelson on drums and vocals, and Amy LeRoy on keyboards, vocals, and lighting. That longevity translates onstage, where a chemistry underpins every performance.
More than 2,000 shows later, the band has honed a style that feels polished and immediate. Their performances are about recreating a moment—layering sound, visuals, and atmosphere to evoke the full spirit of the decade. It’s immersive by design, inviting audiences to step out of the present and into something more playful, more communal.
And it works. Even after hundreds of performances, LeRoy says the experience never loses its edge. “For us, it always comes back to the audience,” he says. “We’ve played these songs so many times, but when you see a crowd full of smiling faces and people singing along, it never gets old.”
That connection is precisely what makes the band a natural fit for Wheels of Dreams. The event, which supports local nonprofit FullCircle, is built around bringing people together—something That Eighties Band has been doing from the start. After receiving an invitation from event organizers earlier this year, the band signed on, drawn to both the mission and the opportunity to be part of something bigger than a typical gig.
“It’s meaningful to be involved in something that brings people together for such a positive purpose,” LeRoy says. “We are honored to perform.”
For attendees, expect a tightly curated setlist packed with some of the most iconic, crowd-pleasing songs of the ’80s—tracks that spark instant recognition and pull people to their feet. The band is intentional about pacing and variety, building a set that keeps the energy high while tapping into the emotional pull that makes the decade so enduring.
But Wheels of Dreams adds another layer. Beyond the music, the event serves as a reminder of how entertainment can double as a force for connection and giving back, as FullCircle operates five locations that help young people struggling with mental health and addiction. It’s the kind of gathering where the lines between audience and community begin to blur, where showing up means contributing to something shared.
For That Eighties Band, that alignment feels natural. Their shows have always been about more than performance; they’re about participation. The goal, LeRoy says, is simple: to send people home feeling happy, energized, and just a little bit nostalgic.
Get your tickets to see That Eighties Band at Wheels of Dreams Charity experience at wheelofdreams.bolder.bid
