The Layla Show: Celebrating Eric Clapton’s Legacy with Jerry Skaw and Forever Man

There are musicians who leave their mark on history, and then there are artists like Eric Clapton—whose influence transcends genre, decade, and even generations of listeners. His guitar work, songwriting, and unmistakable voice have inspired countless players to pick up an instrument and follow in his footsteps. Few artists can claim such a wide-ranging impact. Today, this legacy continues through tribute bands that bring his music to life on stage for audiences both young and old. Among them is one of the most dedicated and passionate groups around: Jerry Skaw’s Layla Show, a heartfelt, multimedia celebration of Clapton’s life and music.

Recently, Jerry sat down with Tron Simpson on Legends Radio to talk about his band, upcoming performances, and why Clapton’s music continues to captivate audiences decades after it was first released.  Listen to that interview right here:

This discussion provided more than just event information—it opened a window into the artistry behind putting together not just a tribute show, but an immersive, storytelling-driven experience that reminds us why Clapton remains timeless. Let’s take a deeper look into Jerry’s project, the enduring power of live music, and the way tribute groups like Layla Show keep musical legacies alive.

Eric Clapton’s Enduring Influence

Before we dive into Jerry’s performance project, we need to talk about why Eric Clapton stands as such a monumental figure in music history. Clapton’s career spans over six decades, from his early work with The Yardbirds and John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, to the creation of Cream, Derek and the Dominoes, his solo career, and collaborations with countless other legends. He embodies the blues spirit while appealing to mainstream audiences—a delicate balance that few artists master.

Songs like “Layla,” “Wonderful Tonight,” “Tears in Heaven,” and his seminal MTV Unplugged set have etched themselves into global culture. Clapton is not only one of the greatest guitarists of all time but also a songwriter who penned some of the most moving ballads about love, loss, and redemption.

Jerry Skaw understands this legacy better than most, which is why his project is not just a simple tribute act. Instead, it’s a two-part concert experience designed to capture the warmth, intimacy, and raw power of Clapton’s music—all while placing the audience inside Clapton’s world.

The Show

During his conversation with Tron Simpson, Jerry described the unique format of the Layla Show.

• The evening begins with an acoustic set lasting roughly 60 minutes. This portion pays direct homage to Clapton’s 1992 MTV Unplugged concert, which is still one of the most beloved live recordings of all time. Featuring stripped-down versions of classics like “Layla” (the acoustic reimagining), “Tears in Heaven,” and traditional blues numbers, Clapton’s unplugged set won multiple Grammys and reintroduced him to an even broader audience.

Jerry recreates this spirit with more than just the music. His performance is punctuated with anecdotes, stories, and a sense of intimacy that makes the audience feel as if they are part of Clapton’s personal journey.

• After a short intermission, the show transforms. The second act is a 90-minute electric performance, showcasing the firepower of Clapton’s guitar-driven hits—blues shuffles, rock anthems, and tender ballads, all delivered with skill and heart. To elevate the experience, Jerry incorporates multimedia elements (visuals, projections, and storytelling) that highlight moments from Clapton’s storied career.

This dual approach—beginning with intimacy and swelling to full-scale rock energy—mirrors Clapton’s own career evolution. It ensures that both casual fans and die-hard devotees leave the venue with chills and memories that stay long after the final chord rings out.

The Tribute

Why tribute bands? After all, audiences could pull up old records, stream classic footage, or watch Clapton himself in past performances online.

The reality is that nothing compares to the energy of live music. A tribute band does more than replay songs; when done right, it recreates the emotion of an era, the power of a performance, and the shared experience of fans gathered together in one space.

For many people, seeing Eric Clapton live is no longer possible—or hasn’t been for decades, depending on where you live. At the same time, younger audiences who weren’t alive during Clapton’s peak years deserve the chance to feel his music in a live setting. Tribute bands like Jerry’s bridge that gap beautifully.

But what separates a truly great tribute group from a casual cover band is the attention to detail and authenticity. Jerry understands Clapton’s phrasing, tone, and stage presence. His show isn’t just about sound-alike guitar solos—it’s a full artistic recreation where the heart and soul of Clapton’s music shine. That authenticity is why his shows draw dedicated crowds across Colorado and beyond.

Jerry Skaw: The Musician Behind the Tribute

Jerry’s passion for Clapton began like many fans: falling in love with the sound of the guitar hero’s work. As a young musician, Jerry was drawn not only to Clapton’s technical skill but also his ability to channel feeling through every note. Unlike some virtuoso players who overwhelm with speed and fireworks, Clapton’s guitar style has always been defined by its emotional precision—a less-is-more approach that only deepens the beauty of his playing.

Jerry embraced this philosophy in his own artistry. Over time, he recognized an opportunity: if he felt this deeply about Clapton’s work, surely others did too. This led to the creation of his tribute group and the design of a concert experience that would bring Clapton’s music to life with care, respect, and passion.

Through years of fine-tuning the setlist, developing the multimedia show, and building a reputation for excellence, Jerry’s group has become one of the most respected Clapton tributes available today. His voice captures the raw grit of Clapton’s singing style, his guitar tone evokes the warmth and bite of Slowhand himself, and his stage presence ensures audiences feel they are witnessing something more than nostalgia—it’s a living celebration.

The Colorado Connection

Jerry and his band don’t just play a few isolated gigs. They’ve built a reputation for covering every corner of Colorado, ensuring that fans across the state can access this experience.

As he told Tron Simpson, the band rotates their shows across Colorado every 18 months. This careful scheduling means that each performance feels like a special event. If you miss the Brighton show on September 12th at the Armory, you might have to wait more than a year before the Layla Show returns to your area.

This touring method mirrors the way major artists structure their concerts, building anticipation and encouraging fans to mark their calendars. By covering towns like Aspen, Loveland, Lakewood, and other communities, Jerry ensures that local audiences—whether nestled in the mountains or near the plains—can gather together and celebrate Clapton’s music.

The Name

When Jerry references the title of his project, “Layla and Other Assorted Eric Clapton Songs,” it’s more than just clever branding. It’s a direct nod to Clapton’s 1970 Derek and the Dominos album, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs. That record, featuring the legendary title track, has gone down as one of rock’s most celebrated albums.

The connection feels fitting, because in many ways Jerry’s tribute operates in the same spirit. The Layla Show is not just about the hits; it’s about the full tapestry of Clapton’s career—acoustic ballads, fiery blues numbers, signature solos, and deep cuts alike.

And just as Clapton’s album blended personal storytelling with technical brilliance, Jerry’s show fuses music with narrative. By sprinkling in storytelling, history, and humor, he creates a performance that is as much about context as it is about music.

The Fans

One of the striking things about tribute performances is the diverse range of fans who attend. At any given Layla Show, you’ll likely see:

• Longtime Clapton devotees who saw him live in the 1970s and 1980s, reliving their youth.
• Younger guitarists who studied Clapton’s playing through YouTube, finally experiencing his music live in concert form.
• Families sharing generational music with their kids, introducing them to timeless songs before they fade into the background noise of modern pop culture.
• Local Colorado music lovers simply looking for a night out with world-class musicianship.

This multigenerational mix gives each Layla Show concert a unique atmosphere. It’s not only about music—it’s about shared culture, stories, nostalgia, and discovery.

How to Attend

That’s easy!  Just head to the top of this page and click or tap on EVENTS.  You’ll find all of Jerrys Colorado shows there.  If you’ve waited too long and the time has past, you can always find more info at Laylashow.com or Forevermanband.com, and click on shows.  You’ll see where they are next but like Jerry said…you might be waiting a while, so make sure you get there ASAP to catch this lightning rod of a show!

Conclusion: A Living Legacy of Clapton

Eric Clapton once said that “music will always find its way to us, with or without business, politics, religion, or any other nonsense.” Groups like Jerry Skaw’s Layla Show embody that truth. They prove that great music never dies—it evolves, it adapts, and it continues to move hearts through the dedication of musicians who believe in keeping the spirit alive.

For audiences in Colorado, these concerts are not just evenings of entertainment but acts of cultural preservation. They remind us of a time when guitar heroes ruled stages, when storytelling and melody wrapped themselves into unforgettable songs, and when music was something you experienced together, not just through a screen.

So whether you’re a lifelong Clapton fan or a curious newcomer, don’t miss the chance to see The Layla Show live. Because as Jerry Skaw and Tron Simpson both made clear, this is more than a performance—it’s an experience, a tribute, and a celebration of one of music’s greatest legacies.