Toby Keith will be performing at the Turning Stone Casino, Events Center
JULY 8, 2015 at 8 PM
Tickets starting at $84, $99, & $124
I've had the pleasure of seeing him perform at Montage Mountain in Pennsylvania. I have to say of all the concerts I've seen thus far in my life he may have been the worst. I love his music don't get me wrong but live in person was a bit rough. He came out on the stage completely intoxicated and we couldn't understand much of what he was saying. He even forgot the lyrics to some of his own songs and sang several lines over and over. He was fun and entertaining. He had a great introduction video that really set the stage but I was let down by the fact I couldn't really enjoy the lyrics like I would have liked. Lets hope this show is different! I will say because of my experience with him I am not sure if I would spend the minimum $84 dollars to see him again, I'll just buy the CD. I'm still a huge Toby Keith fan but not live!
The one good thing that did come out of that concert was the fact that Eric Church opened for him and made me an instant fan of him. I strongly suggest and recommend seeing Eric Church in concert. He was an amazing singer and performer. In fact, I have already booked my concert ticket for the NYS fair in Syracuse on August 27th, 2015 to see him live again. Can't wait!
Blackjack Billy performed at the inaugural event at taste of country music fest at Hunter Mountain NY. (2013) Blackjack Billy is a Country Rock band composed of Rob Blackledge (vocals, guitar), Noll Billings (vocals), Jeff Coplan (electric guitar), and Brad Cummings (drums). Based in Nashville, they describe their music as “Redneck Rock.” Rob is from Mississippi, Noll from Missouri, Jeff from Canada, and Brad from Tennessee started the group in 2009 writing songs. In 2012 Brad Cummings was added who was the drummer for Randy Houser. These four men now make up the Blackjack Billy!
TOC Music fest taking by yours truly :)
These 4 guys tore up the stage at TOC music fest. Lead singer Rob Blackledge had moves like jagger and owned the stage! There first song (Above) released in 2013 hit the charts running with "Booze Cruise." Although the video above was not taking at the TOC fest it was similar to the amount of energy and fun this group has on stage.
My favorite song that they performed at TOC music fest was called "Blood, Sweat, and Beer" (BELOW). The beat just makes me want to move!
If your looking for some fun high energy performance this is the group to see! There schedule for 2015 doesn't bring them close to upstate NY, infact they are only in NY one time inVarysburg, NY which is about 3.5 hours away from Chenango County NY. Check there schedule below:
2015 TOUR: 06/12/2015 Winnipeg, Manitoba Red River Ex
06/13/2015 Ayer's Cliff, Quebec ( CAN ) Ayer's Cliff Agricultural Fair Grounds- Rodeo
06/18/2015 Sheridan, WY ( USA ) Big Horn Country Music Festival
06/20/2015 Vineland, CO ( USA ) Bands in the Backyard
06/25/2015 Cardwell, Montana Headwaters Country Jam
06/26/2015 Green River , Wyoming Flaming Gorge Days
06/28/2015 Manhattan , Kansas Country Stampede
07/02/2015 Varysburg, New York Jam in the Valley - Buffalo Hill Village
07/09/2015 Craven, SK ( CAN ) Craven Country Jamboree
07/11/2015 HOLSTEIN, ON, ON ( CAN ) HOLSTEIN RODEO
07/31/2015 BOTHWELL, ON ( CAN ) BOOTHILL JAMBOREE
08/02/2015 KENORA, ON ( CAN ) HARBOURFEST
08/15/2015 Sunrise Beach, Missouri Pickle head's Roadhouse
08/22/2015 Avondale, Newfoundland ( CAN ) Eastbound Hoedown
10/23/2015 Ports in Miami, FL The Best Country Cruise Ever (Norwegian Sky)
HANK WILLIAM'S JR! Let me tell you all something on this 65 years old guy, he can perform at top notch. I've seen many performers and so far he has been my ALLTIME favorite person to see live. His energy on stage was amazing and he can sing and tell a story like no other.
Hank William's JR performed all his hits from "A Country Boy Can Survive", "Family Tradition", to "All My Rowdy Friends." In fact my favorite was "Family Tradition" when he brought out Tyer Farr and Thompson Square who opened for him and sang it together.
I've been to all the country music festival thus far at Hunter Mountain NY. This festival started in 2013 with that years headliners being Lady Antebellum, Willie Nelson, Montgomery Gentry, and Trace Adkins. Last year headliners were Brad Paisley, Hank Williams Jr, and Dierks Bently.
This venue is by far the best in this area for NY concerts. What is more country then to camp out side and attend 3 full days of packed entertainment starting at noon until 2 or 3 in morning. They build it up starting from small openers to eventually leading into these huge country artists.
This festival is drawing huge crowds. The first year in only drew about 15,000 people, 2014 it was pushing over 40,000 people. Both years we attended this we went with the VIP tickets. They may be a bit on the expensive side but TRUST ME, with 40K people you want these tickets. Last year the cost of those tickets were $485 for EARLY BIRD special sales. You have to purchase a parking ticket for your vehicle if you want your vehicle on your site and I recommend this otherwise you are carrying all your camping supply's up the hill to your site. I emphasize UP the hill. You are camping on a ski resort, its all up hill. But if you get the VIP tickets you have a special camping site really close to the grounds and hot showers that you don't have to pay for, (yes general admission it costs you $5 for 5 min I do believe) and indoor bathrooms access. Not only that but you get front stage viewing area, catered food all weekend (food would easily cost you a fortune there), discounted drinks for alcohol,(free soda, water, juice), and a VIP lounge area with TV's that display the stage. Last year they even had hammocks in the trees. They have their own bathroom section so lines are not as long. In the end, I would strongly recommend if going to this music festival spend the extra and go VIP. This venue gives you the option to break up your payment in to 3 installments over 3 months I do believe. It's really a great deal when you think about all you get. You also get a souvenir T-shirt and poster. The photo below is the VIP catered eating area. The food was amazing. Notice there are no chairs. Its a stand and eat, with so many people it makes it so people can get in and out fast.
If your planning to see Hank this year chances are you will be flying out of NY. Hank Williams Jr said in his concert that venue's don't choose him he chooses them, so if he's performing near you its because he wants to be there. If you get the chance to go you won't be disappointed.
Below are his tour dates for 2015 thus far:
Apr 10 Downtown Stage, Nashville, TN
Apr 24 Toadlick Music Festval, Dothan, AL
Apr 25 Country Life Music Festival, Punta Gorda, FL
Great band here! This country/classic rock group is out of Elmira NY and they tore it up at in Wells Bridge NY at Babcocks. This group was made up of all males and have been around since about 2011. They were different from a lot of the bands I've heard because when they say there "twisted" they really mean they have a wide array of music selection that they sing.
There song lineup included old school country such as FOLSOM PRISON BLUES and then they changed it up to BLUE SUEDE SHOES & JOHNNY B GOOD. Not only that but they changed it up yet again and played MONY MONY & HURT SO GOOD. They also have some original songs that they've wrote. This mix kept the dance floor hoping.
They are definitely good ol' country at heart though. I loved the music selection. Hearing top 40 country songs is great but a lot of the time that can get old and over played so when they kicked out some of those GOODIE BUT OLDIES it really was a huge crowd pleaser. If you love a wide variety of music then you should get out and check this band out.
The crowd that showed up for this band was mixed. There were more younger people I feel like which was surprising to me based on the music that they played. I feel that this band would be more for 30+ year olds. It was St. Patrick day weekend so that may have influenced the crowd. It really didn't start to fill up until about 10 pm. The band started at 9 and went to 1 am.
This was my first time at Babcocks as well. The venue is actually very large inside with a huge dance area. Tables go around the outside and they have one pool table. I heard they sell some really good food but don't expect to get food on a band night. They actually give away dinner for 2 at midnight as a door prize. That was my only negative comment on this place was not being able to get food. They had some line dancer's there that were entertaining. It is out in the middle of no where. There are no hotels or gas station within about 15 minutes I believe but they do offer DD's free drinks all night must be 18 or older to get in though. I thought that was a great incentive to cut down on the drunk driving.
Over all I dug the band. The variety they played made this band stand out from the normal country bands that I've heard in the past. I will definitely plan on seeing them again. Loved the oldies mixed in. One down fall on all Dakota Moon's websites and facebook accounts they don't have an upcoming 2015 schedule. So I can't tell you where they will be next. I am sure they will be back at Babcock's but that venue only posts 2 weeks ahead. I DO KNOW HOWEVER THAT SUNDOWN WILL BE THERE NEXT SAT MARCH 21 WHICH ARE ALWAYS A GOOD TIME! If you don't know who Sundown Band is check out my last blog!
Unfortunately this band does not have any live video's out and I didn't get a chance to get a video while I was there.
The Sundown Band is personally one of my favorite bands to see. This band is from the Norwich, NY area. They have the best husband/wife duo in this area! The band is made up of 5 members Rick French (Guitar/Vocals), Lori French ( Piano/Synthesizer/Vocals), Jesse French (Bass) Jon Brazee (Guitar), and Tim Golden (Drums). This country/rock band performs the new top 40 country songs but they also jam out to some amazing old school rock songs. Rick French can sing a mean "Roadhouse Blues" and don't be surprised if you hear Lori bust out to "All about that Bass" from time to time. Together they form one of the best country bands in this area.
They have recently become the house band for "Babcocks" which is a local establishment in Wells Bridge, NY. They draw a good ol' country crowd of all ages. Their ability to connect with the crowd makes them a stand out band for this area. Their selection of top hits makes this a fun night for any age whether your young, old, or somewhere in between. If you haven't got a chance to get out and hear this band I recommend checking out their schedule below and kick up your boots to their romping tunes, you won't regret it! I recommend The Outpost and Susquehanna Trail Campground for some outside under the stars enjoyment.
UPCOMING SCHDULE:
Sat Mar 21, Babcocks, Wells Bridge, NY
Sat Apr 4, Babcocks, Wells Bridge NY
Sat Apr 11, Lippy's Bar and Grille, Greene, NY
Sat May 2, Babcocks, Wells Bridge, NY
Sat May 9, Rita's Tavern, Norwich NY
Sat May 16, Babcocks, Wells Bridge, NY
Sat May 30, Babcocks, Wells Bridge, NY
Sat Jun 6, Outpost, Mc Donough, NY
Sat Jun 13, Babcocks, Wells Bridge, NY
Sat Jun 20, Susquehanna Trail Campground, Oneonta NY
So if you haven't heard about this new country/rock group your missing out on some great talent. The band consists of three members in it Jaren Johnston (lead vocals, guitar), Kelby Ray (bass guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals), and Neil Mason (drums, vocals). There sporting the long haired rock look and sing with a good ol' southern sound.
I had the opportunity to see this group live in Jordan, New York at Kegs Canal Events Center. The events center holds a max 700 people and it was a bar setting. They drew about 500 people I would guess. If your looking to get up close and personal with an artist's this is the place to go to do that. No matter where you are in this place your close. It's basically an open dance floor with a bar and eating area around the perimeter. It was a bit sketchy for the bathrooms, being that it's basically a shower curtain that you pull across to block. If your looking for sit-down concert in a nice venue this would not be the place, but if your looking to drink, dance, get a little rowdy then this is where you want to be.
Enough about the venue, The Cadillac Three reminded me of old school ZZ Top with the long hair and the southern rock sound. They have a unique sound that you wont find on country radio which is a huge reason why I LOVED this group. They are well known for their first song released on country radio "The South." Many people don't know this but they actually wrote the number one song that Jake Own release called "Days of Gold." My favorite song that they performed you wont find out on country radio and probably never will but it's called "Turn it on." This song was wrote before they became known as The Cadillac Three. (They were named Cadillac Black)
Give it a listen to it below.
Over-all this group knows how to tear it up and entertain a crowd. I would go see them again in a heartbeat!
Stay tuned for my next music review on some local talent from Norwich NY, "The Sundown Band" and "Kaityln Jackson!"
The one good thing that did come out of that concert was the fact that Eric Church opened for him and made me an instant fan of him. I strongly suggest and recommend seeing Eric Church in concert. He was an amazing singer and performer. In fact, I have already booked my concert ticket for the NYS fair in Syracuse on August 27th, 2015 to see him live again. Can't wait!
