Thank you to this years SPONSORS: Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold, Quality Inn & Suites, CKC Construction & Materials, McMurray Communications, Basha's, Johnson Motors, CMI Quick Copy, EA Glass, Eastern Arizona Courier, Vining Funeral Home, Casa Manana, Valley Telecom Group.
Due West
Thursday, June 21, 2012 at 7:00 PM General Pricing: $15, $20
When the pieces fall into place, you know it. For the three guys known as Due West, that time is now. You could start with songwriting skills that quickly earned all three publishing deals and help define their fresh, unique sound. You could start with producer Garth Fundis, whose credits include Keith Whitley, Don Williams, Trisha Yearwood and Sugarland. But anyone who's heard them sing will tell you that the place to start with Due West is with their vocals, collectively a three-lane road to magic.
It happened the first time they ever sang together when old friends Matt Lopez and Brad Hull met Tim Gates at a party. The three started harmonizing and the other attendees—Music Row stars, newcomers, and friends—kept asking how long they'd been a group. It’s been happening ever since as they've toured the country, visiting radio stations and playing for appreciative audiences along the way. "We've been told that when we sing harmony, it's something special," says Brad, "and we've learned to believe it." "It just seems like anytime we play live," adds Tim, "we usually end up with some long-term fans."
That phenomenon is about to get much bigger as Due West puts the finishing touches on new material, releasing on Black River Entertainment in 2012, that is already garnering industry buzz. "The energy is definitely there," says Matt. "We're at a new label with new music. This is all about new beginnings." They’re especially excited about the chance to work with legendary producer Garth Fundis and engineer Chuck Ainlay, whose own list of credits includes producing and engineering Miranda Lambert’s Four The Record, engineering all of Taylor Swift’s work, Lionel Richie’s Tuskegee and many others.
Neal McCoy
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 at 7:00 PM General Pricing: $20, $30
“Everybody wants to find that song that hits the sweet spot, that is pretty much them, but everybody else, too. “I think I finally found that song!” – Neal McCoy
In a world where every single is the biggest hit, every song the best one ever, Neal McCoy has had his share of feel good radio records, a few meaningful ballads, the BMI Song of the Year with “Wink” and “The Shake” and a whole lot of fun. But he’s spent almost two decades chasing ‘that song.’ With “A-OK, the song that co-producer Blake Shelton found the Longview, Texan entertainer, McCoy’s quest may be over. With its bouncing beat, bright melody and yes, pure Andy Griffith whistle, the song about seeing the glass as half-full and the smile upside down in a frown, along with the Barry Dean/Luke Laird/Brett Eldridge mid- tempo, is the perfect distillation of McCoy’s always effervescent show. “I think any song that says ‘It’s gonna be okay, it’s gonna be alright...’ and feels like this one does, has got to be a winner. People really wanna hear, and almost need to hear, that right now...Times being the way they are, and something that makes people feel good? Well, anyone who knows me knows I’m all about that,” McCoy explains. Ask anyone about Neal McCoy, and they may not be able to name all of the songs, but they’ll go on and on about his live concerts: full-tilt celebrations of music, life, laughter, joy and yes, his five #1s. But don’t make it about Neal McCoy, he sure wouldn’t. “I think when people come to see you, sure they want to hear your music,” he explains. “But they really wanna be somewhere that makes’em forget their troubles for a little bit; to have some fun, to laugh and remember how good life can be. I always say, they’re not fans...they’re friends and I want’em to have a good time.” Modesty aside, McCoy has sold over 6 million albums. His entrance into the country music world was championed by Hall of Famer Charley Pride, and his return is being orchestrated by CMA Entertainer of the Year nominee and reigning Male Vocalist of the
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Year Blake Shelton, and CMA/ACM Album, Single and Female Vocalist of the Year Miranda Lambert. People like that know music – and performing. Those who came before and those who’re now setting the standard both recognize how special McCoy’s kind of country is. Or as Blake Shelton himself says, “The only thing that blows me away more than Neal McCoy in concert is the fact he asked me to be involved in making his new album.... I'm honored to work with a hero of mine.” And the album helmed by Lambert, Shelton and guitar-slinger Brent Rowan is no less special. Nashville’s very best writers – Song of the Year winner Tom Douglas, Rivers Rutherford, Jamey Johnson, Allen Shamblin, and new hitmakers Luke Laird, Brett Eldredge, George Terren & Barry Dean – have all opened up their secret stash of songs saved for the very few who deserve them to provide the songs for XII, McCoy’s Blaster Records debut. “It’s like my shows, a little bit of everything that makes music special,” explains the man who’s done 15 USO tours, represented President Bush at the inauguration of Phillipine President Arroyo, established the East Texas Angel Network 17 years ago for children with life threatening illnesses, helping over 400 families along the way, and co- written the good natured “Lucky Enough,” an all street corner bravado shuffle and bright- eyed look at life, dreams and love. “There is so much great music...beyond the labels...we have a little bit of church, a little bit of bar-room, a couple ballads that’ll encourage, and a real Texas thing about finding your groove in the midst of heartbreak with a cold beer and a good jukebox,” McCoy explains. “It’s like me, but it’s better. Blake and Miranda had definite ideas about what this should be. Blake had met me in ’95 when he’d first come to town and was looking around. He walked in the front door of Atlantic Records – and there I was in the lobby answering phones. I’d had a couple hits by then, but I was goofy like that,” he adds. “We met again years later, doing radio interviews – and he told me about that. That he couldn’t believe it; but that’s the kinda guys we both are. And Miranda, she’d grown up 30 miles away, playing talent shows around the area and dreaming of doing what I was doing...so, they came to this more invested than I would’ve ever imagined. Both of them get who I am and what makes me, me, and that was what drove all their decisions. That’s Blake playing a lot of the acoustic guitar – and you can hear’em singing all over the single. They had such good ideas, you almost couldn’t hold’em back.” Click here to be redirected to the link mentioned above.
Little River Band
Thursday, November 1, 2012 at 7:00 PM
Tickets on sale Tuesday, August 7, 2012 at 8:00 AM
After a Chicago band named Koala (!) split up, Wayne moved to LA in 1978 where he joined Jim Messina's band. Messina and Little River Band toured together in '79. LRB asked Nelson to join for their next tour of Australia, Europe, and America. 30 years later, Nelson has seen many musicians and singers come in and out of the LRB family. His view on all those lineup changes..."In all these years with LRB, I've sung, played, and rearranged our music with many different lineups, each with a different interpretation and style. This group of guys is unique in that we all cut our teeth on the same types of music when we were young. We have the utmost respect for the history of the band, and for what Little River Band songs mean to our fans…but we always look for a way to bring something new to the stage. We have fun exploring new ways to deliver the songs - recognizable and powerful, with new twists that will delight those fans who like to listen deep and analyze...
Greg Hind has been an integral part of the bands current sound since 2000. Before joining LRB Greg played and sang with many well-known artists including Thelma Houston, Kylie Minogue, and Bachelor Girl. Greg shares lead vocal duty, and is instrumental in looking for ways to keep the band’s arrangements fresh and current.
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After college, Chris moved to Nashville and began his playing career, garnering nominations for 4 Dove awards from the Gospel Music Assoc. In 1992, he joined with partner Danny Myrick to form Western Flyer and later worked with artists such as Garth Brooks and The Oak Ridge Boys. In early 2005, he entered the Little River Band family, and has recorded 3 CDs with the band since then.
Nashville-based Rich Herring joined the band as lead guitarist while Stephen Housden took a well-deserved break from touring. With him came extensive studio experience, not only as a player, but also as an engineer and producer. The 2006 live CD “Standing Room Only”, and the band’s current project, “We Call It Christmas”, were both mixed by Rich at his Nashville studio.
Born an army brat, living in Okinawa, Japan, Belgium, and Germany. After high school, he joined the Dave Perkins Band and toured with The Allman Brothers, Charley Daniels, Little Feat, The Hooters, Badfinger, and Bonnie Bramlett. He came home to Nashville to join Earl Thomas Conley, where he played on 3 number one Country Hits. He joined the LRB tour in 2007, bringing his brand of “muscle” to the rhythm section.
