For those who love to "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)," revel in some "Mountain Music," take a trip down "Copperhead Road" or enjoy parodies of an "Amish Paradise," several national and international music artists like Big & Rich, Alabama, Steve Earle and The Dukes, and Weird Al Yankovic will perform this summer at Mid-Missouri venues.
In this article and the second part, take a gander at a mere sampling of concert dates through August, starting with ones here in the Capital City. In the second installment, big concerts in Columbia, the Lake of the Ozarks area, California and other nearby communities are featured.
Look for more local and regional musician concert previews, such as entertainment at Thursday Night Live and the Backyard Concert Series kick-off, in the May 17 edition of Escape. Find out more about these concerts and others in the News Tribune's Go! Events online calendar.
'Rodeo clowns,' Western Swing at Windstone
It is still spring, but one notable country artist is performing next weekend at Windstone Entertainment and Event Center, 2425 Industrial Drive in Jefferson City.
Moe Bandy will visit the Capital City banquet hall with special guest Silver Wings on May 19.
With many of his chart-topping hits popularized in the 1970s, this Texas singer and Academy of Country Music Awards "Song of the Year" winner is known for tunes like "Bandy the Rodeo Clown," "Just Good Ol' Boys" and "I Just Started Hating Cheatin' Songs."
Doors open at 4:30 p.m., with Silver Wings performing at 5:30 p.m. and Moe Bandy taking the stage at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $35.
Windstone will also present The Hanson Family, winners of Academy of Western Artists 2014 and 2017 Western Swing "Group of the Year," on June 2. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the show starting at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $18.
Kitchen and cash bar will be available at both concerts.
For more information, call 573-636-2850 or visit windstoneentertainment.com.
Big & Rich go 'Inside the Walls'
John was a bass guitarist for Lonestar and Kenny was a solo artist for Hollywood Records. Then they formed one of the leading American country music duos in the last decade, Big & Rich.
With continued top 40 country hits like "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)," plus multiple collaborations with artists like Gretchen Wilson and Martina McBride, Big & Rich continue to pack performances and plan to do the same June 30 as headliners along with guest Cowboy Troy of the 2018 Salute to America's Inside the Walls of the Missouri State Penitentiary concert.
Doors open at 4 p.m. with the concert starting at 5 p.m. with Crossroad Station. Murphy's Ford performs at 6 p.m., followed by Stone Senate then Big & Rich with Cowboy Troy.
General admission costs $54, with 40 $250 VIP tickets available.
For more information and additional entertainment scheduled for Salute to America from July 3-4 in downtown Jefferson City, visit salutetoamerica.org.
Fan favorites at Cole County fair
The highly anticipated entertainment line-up for the 2018 Jefferson City Jaycees Cole County Fair was announced recently, with some big names hitting the main arena stage at the Jefferson City Jaycees Fairgrounds.
On July 31, hair/metal band of the early 90s Steelheart will lead off the list of headliners and is best known for hits such as "She's Gone," "I'll Never Let You Go (Angel Eyes)" and "Can't Stop Me Lovin' You." American Hitmen will open for the group.
Noted Nashville duo Muscadine Bloodline will take the stage Aug. 1 with opener Alec Davis, and increasingly popular rockers Soul Root will open for Jefferson City native headliner Shaman's Harvest on Aug. 2. With more than 20 years under their belts, Shaman's Harvest's authentic and original hard rock sound has landed them millions of digital downloads, top ranking accolades such as spending four months in the Top 10 of iTunes Metal Songs Chart for "In Chains" and standout track "Dragonfly" hitting Billboard and Mainstream charts, according to the band's website. They have also shared the stage with AC/DC, Alice in Chains, Godsmack, Seether, Three Doors Down and Theory of a Deadman, among others.
Holding three platinum albums, a gold album and 34 singles, country legend Neal McCoy, known for songs such as "Billy's Got His Beer Goggles On" and "That's Life," will take the stage Aug. 3 after opener Murphy's Ford. Known as "The Midwest's legendary rock band," Head East will take the stage Aug. 4 after openers Notorious. As their website states, their signature song, "There's Never Been Any Reason (Save My Life)" has long been considered by many as "America's Rock and Roll National Anthem." However, this five-piece group has seen more than four decades of original classic rock reach charts' top spots, used in movies and television shows, and loved by millions of fans worldwide.
For more information about the Cole County fair concerts and activities, visit jeffcityjaycees.org or the fair's Facebook page, @JeffersonCityJayceesFair.