Willie Nelson rocks Ironstone Vineyards
By Dawn Santos
Guest Writer
Country music flowed
throughout wine country on Saturday, June 26, 2011 at the Ironstone
Amphitheatre for the first concert of the season at the beautiful
Ironstone Vineyards in Murphys, CA. The 2nd annual Willie Nelson’s
Country Throwdown Tour 2011 brought country music fans from all
over to see the infamous Willie Nelson. The only tour of its kind
in the world of country, Willie Nelson’s Country Throwdown Tour
mixes top country music artists with emerging singer, song-writers
in a relaxing atmosphere where fans enjoy a constant stream of
music.
This nationwide country music tour kicked off in Philadelphia, PA
on May 27, 2011 touring to places like Tennessee, Arkansas, Texas
and Illinois. The Ironstone Amphitheatre at Iron-stone Vineyard in
Murphy’s was the perfect location with its relax-ed setting.
amazing extensive wine list and gourmet dining choices. It was good
eats, good wine, and good times! Ironstone always delivers a great
time whether it is summer concerts or their special events through
the year.
Opening for Willie Nelson was Jamey Johnson, raised in Montgomery,
Alabama, growing up influenced by that state's famous country
musicians, Hank Williams Jr., VernGosdin and the band, Alabama.
Touring with Willie came natural as many of the songs he performs
on tour are Willie Nelson's. Randy Houser (born in Mississippi) is
an American country music artist hitting the Top 20 on the
Billboard Country Single's charts in 2008 with "Anything goes" and
the Top 10 with his hit, "Boots On". The house came down when Randy
hit the stage; fans sang along as he burned up the stage.
Brantley Gilbert (born in Jefferson, GA) is an American country
rock music singer. At the age of 19, he was involved in a
nearly-fatal car accident. After the accident, he decided to pursue
a musical career fulltime. He has charted in the top 40 with his
song, "Country Must Be Country Wide". Craig Campbell (born in
Lyons, Georgia) played piano at his mother's church from age 10 to
age 18. Topping the Charts with his debut single, " Family Man", he
was definitely a crowd pleaser at this Ironstone concert. Lee Brice
(born June 10, 1980 in Sumter, South Carolina) has released four
singles to country radio, all four of which have charted on the
Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. The fourth of these, "Love Like
Crazy," holds the record for the longest chart run achieved in the
history of that chart. With girls screaming in the audience and the
smooth way that Lee handled the stage, he was one of the crowd
favorites.
Lukas Nelson & The Promise of the Real: Lukas Nelson, guitarist,
singer and songwriter, was born in Austin, Texas and raised on his father
Willie Nelson’s famed tour bus, "Honeysuckle Rose" with his first
tour on the bus at 5 weeks-old. The Band: Lukas Nelson, Lead Vocals
and Guitar; Merlyn Kelly, Bass Guitar; Anthony Logerfo, Drums;
Micah Nelson, Drums. Lukas Nelson definitely follows in his
father’s footsteps. This young artist was a favorite among young
and old alike.
Finally, the sun went down and the mood was great; it had been an
evening of exceptional performances by artists from all musical
genres. The weather was perfect for such an outdoor event. The time
we all were waiting for arrived as Willie Nelson hit the stage. Not
as spry as he was in his earlier years, but at almost 80 years old,
Willie can still deliver. During the next 45 minutes, Willie
performed all the greats that we know and love. Born in Abbott,
Texas during the Great Depression (April 30, 1933), he wrote his
first song when he was only seven years old, and played the guitar
for the local band Bohemian Polka at age nine.
Now, at age 78, Willie continues to entertain country music fans
across the country. With a six-decade career and 200 plus albums,
headliner Willie Nelson has earned every conceivable award as a
musician and amassed reputable credentials as an author, actor and
activist. For those who missed this country throw down, they missed
a great event. This past April, Willie Nelson's 'Country Music',
produced by Grammy and Oscar winning TBone Burnett, was released on
Rounder Records and received a GRAMMY Nomi-nation for "Best
Americana Alb-um". A portion of ticket price will benefit Unite the
United, an organization that has been able to help many grassroots
non-profit organizations to make a difference in our national
community with the help of many groups, organizations and
individuals like Willie Nelson and the Country Throwdown
The next summer concert presented at Ironstone Amphitheater is The
Steve Miller Band with Dave Mason on July 31, 7pm. Parking is
included in the price of admission. Doors to the venue open approx.
1 hour prior to the performance. Tickets:
www.ticketmaster.com; to
charge tickets by phone, (800) 745-3000. Tickets available at all
Ticketmaster Outlets. Lawn tickets are available at Black Oak
Casino. On the day of the show, tickets to that show will be
available onsite at the Ironstone box office. Low beach chairs
(seat lower than 12", back lower than 32"from the ground) and
blankets are allowed into the General Admission section.
Ironstone Amphitheatre is at Ironstone Vineyards, 1894 Six Mile
Road, Murphys, CA. Ticketing options include the Platinum Dinner
package; Gold Seating; Silver Seating; Reserved Seating, and
General Admission. More information at
www.ironstoneamphitheatre.net
Be sure to catch one
of the 2011 Summer Concerts and enjoy an Ironstone summer.
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