BANDS
Friday, August 17th
KICK-OFF THE GRAND NATIONALS WEEKEND CONCERT
FEATURING LIVE IN CONCERT
BLACKBERRY SMOKE
About the Band
“We just want the sound of the band to continue to grow and broaden. We’re not trying to make a hip-hop record,” Starr said with a laugh. “But there’s so many elements to what people call rock. There’s gospel and country and swing and blues. We’re just trying to write songs that include all those different types of elements. It keeps it interesting for musicians and songwriters. You think, ‘Well, I don’t have a straitjacket on, I haven’t painted myself into a corner, so I can try and just make the most of this art form.’”
That’s what Starr (lead vocals, guitar), Paul Jackson (guitar, vocals), Brandon Still (keyboards), Brit Turner (leads drums) and Richard Turner (bass, vocals) have been doing for 16 years now after forming in 2001. The quintet’s blue-collar work ethic, road-dog attitude – the band averages 250 shows a year – and willingness to jam all night long have left Blackberry Smoke with a grassroots fan base that continues to grow show by show.
JJ GREY & MOFRO
About the Band
From the days of playing greasy local juke joints to headlining major festivals, JJ Grey remains an unfettered, blissful performer, singing with a blue-collared spirit over the bone-deep grooves of his compositions. His presence before an audience is something startling and immediate, at times a funk rave-up, other times a sort of mass-absolution for the mortal weaknesses that make him and his audience human. When you see JJ Grey and his band Mofro live—and you truly, absolutely must—the man is fearless.
Onstage, Grey delivers his songs with compassion and a relentless honesty, but perhaps not until Ol’ Glory has a studio record captured the fierceness and intimacy that defines a Grey live performance. “I wanted that crucial lived-in feel,” Grey says of Ol’ Glory, and here he hits his mark. On the new album, Grey and his current Mofro lineup offer grace and groove in equal measure, with an easygoing quality to the production that makes those beautiful muscular drum-breaks sound as though the band has set up in your living room.
JOE STAMM BAND
About the Band
The Joe Stamm Band (JSB) is a high energy country rock group rooted in the Black Dirt of the American Midwest. Born and raised in the fields and fence rows of central Illinois, Joe and the band play a soul pumping brand of country rock uniquely their own. In 2018, DirtRoadAnthems.com told their readers, “If you are looking for a great new country/rock/Americana band to listen to, [Joe Stamm Band] is the perfect one.” JSB songs are laced with rural American imagery, hard-driving guitar, and songwriting that invites listeners into a deeply personal, authentic life experience.
Joe’s early life revolved primarily around football, earning a scholarship to play quarterback at Northern Illinois University. Injuries, however, cut a once promising career short and sent him searching – searching for a new identity, new hobbies, new pursuits and points of focus. He poured himself into academics, hunting, his childhood faith, partying & burning candles at both ends. Gradually, music and songwriting dominated Joe’s focus and stories began to emerge – not just his but yours, ours. Over time, a community of musicians & fans took notice. A band formed & audiences started filling venues.
THOMAS WYNN & THE BELIEVERS
About the Band
Thomas Wynn & The Believers personifies rugged, yet uplifting spirited rock, sprinkled with southern soul R&B. Tunes brutally honest & heartfelt, the themes go beyond years of drugs, heartbreaks & hypocrisy to deliver a message of hope. “Soulful, gritty tunes, some as sweet as honeysuckle and others ferociously jagged ...reminiscent of Levon Helm, Neil Young and the Allman Brothers, but they still boldly radiate a sound and southern charm all their own.” Metromix
A combination of blistering rock and southern soul, this fiery ensemble has been playing the Orlando, Florida original music circuit for the last three-plus years and have quickly garnered local celebrity status. Hailing from a musical family, the band is heavily influenced by Thomas and Olivia's father, Tom Wynn, who was the drummer for Cowboy. Through out the 70’s, Cowboy toured with the Allman Brothers Band, and released four albums on the legendary Capricorn Records.Thomas’ spirit-moving vocals are uniquely supported by sister Olivia Wynn’s engaging and captivating voice and presence. Her strong vocal harmonies and wide-eyed response is the perfect companion to his yearning banshee cries.
Saturday, August 18th
GRAND NATIONALS WEEKEND PARTY
ON THE RIVERFRONT
LIVE & IN CONCERT!
Country Artists Tribute Show
showcasing tributes to
Eric Church, Tim McGraw, and Kenny Chesney
One of the HOTTEST shows on the Las Vegas Strip!
The Country Artists tribute show (CAT) was put together in 2014 by Frank Garrett, owner of Reno Vegas Entertainment. The concept was developed from the idea, why sit through a 90 minute tribute show to hear three or four hit songs from one artist? Why not have a whole 90 minute show full of hit songs by not one but three different artist. So we did just that……. We searched the nation to find the best look and sound-a-likes and found them in FL, MI, CA, TX, NV, and AZ. We wanted the biggest names in today’s country music. (CAT) is a tribute to three of today’s biggest country superstars in one power packed show. They look and sound so much like the real artist, you will think you are watching the actual country star! We have an amazing live band from the Las Vegas Strip, (Left Of Centre) who has too many credits and awards to list. (CAT) is not a smoke and mirror show with guys in wigs and costumes lip syncing to backing tracks. All the vocals are 100% live and the artist have genuine talent. They just look and sound like mega country stars. There is simply no other show like this!
ERIC CHURCH TRIBUTE
TIM MCGRAW TRIBUTE
KENNY CHESNEY TRIBUTE
MATT MILLER BAND
About the Band
Matt Miller is a Country Singer/Songwriter from the Central, IL area. Inspired from people like Eric Church, Jamey Johnson, Cody Jinks, Chris Stapleton, and older outlaw country, Matt's soulful, yet raspy tone will leave you wanting more. From rockin' country ballads to songs that are full of emotion, Matt's songs tell stories that just about anyone can relate to.
SADISTIC COWBOYS
About the Band
Group of 5 guys from the Peoria Illinois area that love to ROCK!!! High energy classic rock!! We cover bands like The Stones, Ted Nugent, UFO, The Who, Jethro Tull, AC/DC, Montrose, Pink Floyd, Deep Purple. The Sadistic Cowboys current line up started about 1 yr ago. We have had the opportunity to open for acts like, Black Oak Arkansas, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and Jackyl. Playing live is what we live for. Well over 100yrs of stage experience in our 5 pc band. We are a band with lots of raw energy. Eric Bell, the lead singer has Punk and Classic Rock influences. He has a heavy hitting lead vocal that commands attention. Brad Fouts is the bassist with a Heavy Metal and Classic Rock background. Rick Bacon is a Guitarist with a Classic Rock and Metal background, whose style of guitar is similar to Eddy Van Halen, Randy Rhoads. Rick has played in local bands like, Tombstone, River Bottom Blues Band, K9. Bobby Barker is a very versatile drummer who has been playing since age 5. Bob marched DCI for 11 seasons and is a 2 time High Drum Champion and DCI World Champion with the Santa Clara Vanguard. Bob's major influences are John Bonham, Niel Peart, and Danny Carey. Bob has jammed with One51, The Phoenix Party Band, Cold Gin, Nootral Drop, April's Fool and Glory Days. Tim Fauth is guitarist with a Classic Rock and Metal background. Tims style of guitar is more on the Jimi Hendrix, Robin Trower side of blues rock. Tims band are The French Brothers, 3JackVooDoo, Hickory Bend, Sadistic Cowboys.