News - Winstock Country Music Festival

Winstock Country Music Festival, Winsted MN


Winstock named one of country music’s top 10 summer festivals 17th annual festival this weekend in Winsted By Ryan Gueningsman Managing Editor In five days, it’ll be time for some “Good Times” with Alan Jackson and hopes of “Rolling Through the Sunshine” with Trailer Choir at the 17th annual Winstock Country Music Festival in Winsted this weekend, Friday and Saturday, June 11 and 12. Joining them on the main stage will be Jackson’s co-headliner Dierks Bentley, along with Josh Turner, Sara Evans, Phil Vassar, Ronnie Milsap, BlackHawk, Jake Owen, Rocket Club, and the Wayne Renn Band. On the Winstock Emerging Artist Stage this year will be White Creek and Her & Kings County Friday night, and Randy Montana and David Nail Saturday night. In its June 7 edition, which is out on newsstands now, Winstock was named one of country’s top 10 summer festivals by “Country Weekly” magazine. “It’s an honor to be included in that feature and receive that kind of national recognition,” commented Winstock Committee Chairman Dave Danielson. The feature highlighted the festival as “Minnesota’s best country music camping vacation, along with its contests and promotions, as well as some other basic information on the event. “As always, a big thank you to the volunteers and the community for their effort to make Winstock happen,” Danielson added. “We’ve come a long way and couldn’t do it without their support.” The headliners Over the course of his career, with 16 gold, platinum, and multi-platinum albums leading up to the release this year of his 18th album, “Good Time,” Winstock 2010 Saturday night headliner Alan Jackson has become one of country music’s most respected and honored artists and songwriters. A few of Jackson’s standards include “She’s Got the Rhythm (And I Got the Blues),” “Tall, Tall Trees,” “Don’t Rock the Jukebox,” “A Lot About Livin’ (And a Little ‘bout Love),” and “Chattahoochee,” among many others. He has sold more than 50 million albums and has more than 100 major industry awards to his credit. Jackson is a three-time Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year and the most-nominated artist in CMA history. Closing things down in style Friday night will be second-time Winstock performer Dierks Bentley. Not so many years ago, Bentley was singing for tips in Nashville bars and soaking up country music history at his day job working at the Nashville Network. Now, Bentley is set to release his latest album “Up On The Ridge” Tuesday, just days before he returns to Winsted, having previously performed at the festival in 2005. The project is steeped in the bluegrass and roots music that moved Bentley to become a country musician in the first place. Also performing Josh Turner will make his Winstock debut Saturday night, taking the stage just before Jackson. Turner has sold more than 4 million albums and produced hits like “Your Man” and “Would You Go With Me.” Six years after his Grand Ole Opry debut, he was inducted into the prestigious organization, becoming one of the youngest artists to receive such an honor. Turner recently wrapped up recording his fourth album, “Haywire,” which will be released in February 2010 and features the single “Why Don’t We Just Dance” and his most recent hit “All Over Me.” Sara Evans is on her way to becoming one of the most successful female artists of her generation – an heir to Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette, with a compelling and beautiful voice. Her musical accomplishments were celebrated with the release of “Sara Evans - Greatest Hits,” which features popular tunes like “No Place That Far,” “A Real Fine Place to Start,” and of course, “Born to Fly.” She will hit the stage at Winstock 2010 Friday night before Bentley. Becoming a Winstock favorite, Phil Vassar will be making his third appearance at the country music and camping festival. “Traveling Circus,” his fifth studio album, recently released, adds more layers of artistic expression to his deepening repertoire. The Virginia-born singer, songwriter, and musician took his seat as country’s leading piano man with the success of songs like “Just Another Day In Paradise” and “Six-Pack Summer.” Always a crowd-favorite, Vassar will be at Winstock Saturday. Don’t miss it for the world – country soul legend Ronnie Milsap is returning to Winsted to kick things off Saturday afternoon. Even with 40 number one chart-toppers under his belt, not to mention avidly-received live shows across the world, Ronnie Milsap is still growing and surprising long-time fans.		Some of his hits include “I Wouldn’t Have Missed It for the World,” “Any Day Now,” “Smokey Mountain Rain,” “Stranger in My House,” and “What A Difference You’ve Made in My Life.” The journey began in 2006 for Jake Owen with the release of his debut album, “Startin’ With Me.” Since releasing his debut album, Owen has celebrated five consecutive hit singles including his debut single, “Yee Haw,” followed up with “Startin’ With Me,” “Something About A Woman,” and the top-five hit “Don’t Think I Can’t Love You,” garnering his first CMA and Grammy nominations in 2008. On his most recent release, “Easy Does It,” Jake builds on these successes, using his own life as the catalyst for his songwriting. He can be heard on your favorite radio station now with “Eight Second Ride,” and at Winstock Saturday. Rockin’ from Winstock’s Emerging Artists Stage last year to the main stage this year, Trailer Choir has had a frenetic introduction to the national stage the last 18 months. The fun-loving entertainers rocked thousands on Toby Keith’s tour, and the trio of Butter, Big Vinny, and Crystal made a notable impression on country music with their self-titled debut album. Known for the party anthem “Rockin’ The Beer Gut,” Trailer Choir brings with them to the stage a fun show and great tunes. They will take the main stage Friday night – don’t miss the chance to see Trailer Choir again on their way to the top. BlackHawk and Rocket Club will also both be performing Friday afternoon at Winstock, kicking things off slightly earlier than in years past, so plan accordingly so as to not miss either of these acts. A “Greatest Hits Live” album was released by BlackHawk in 2008, and fans will be excited to hear old favorites like “There You Have It,” “Like There Ain’t No Yesterday,” “Goodbye Says It All,” “Every Once In A While,” and “That’s Just About Right,” among other notable hits, at Winstock 2010. Twin Cities-based Rocket Club’s song “One More Day,” which is getting numerous airplays and downloads, was written in honor of parents who have lost a child. The band kicks things off Friday at 3:15 p.m. Also performing are regional favorite White Creek, which will be performing at the Winstock 2010 pre-show beer tent bash Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. (note the earlier start time) and on the emerging artists stage Friday night; and the Wayne Renn Band, which returns for an appearance at Winstock early Saturday afternoon. Emerging Artist Stage A little bit of “Outlaw Country” has also been added to the Winstock 2010 lineup, as Her and Kings County will hit Winstock’s Emerging Artist Stage Friday for two sets. Her & Kings County is city country, a mix of bluegrass, hip-hop, good ‘ol finger pickin’ country, and rockin’ head-banging riffs. In 2009 alone, the band recorded two albums. Randy Montana and David Nail will both perform two sets Saturday, alternating the entertainment between Winstock’s main stage and the Emerging Artist Stage. Nail, known for his hit “Red Light” and most recently “Turning Home,” grew up in a small southeastern Missouri town.The son of a former high school band director, cut his musical teeth on a record collection that included Stevie Wonder, Elton John, and The Beatles. Singer-songwriter Randy Montana’s debut album clings to the rough edges of country’s musical highway with its compelling storytelling and vivid imagery combined with a raw but rocking guitar-driven sound.Montana is a songwriter’s son who has found his own voice and quickly earned respect as a tunesmith on Music Row. Campsite decorating contest The theme of this year’s annual Winstock campsite decorating contest is “Gone Country,” after Alan Jackson’s hit song. Participants must register by Friday, June 11 at 9 p.m. at the Winstock Information Tent to be considered for judging. Cash prizes will be awarded. No double winners. Judges’ decisions are final. Tickets and more information General admission tickets cost $115 and may be purchased by calling 888-946-7865 or at the gate. Plenty of good reserved seats are also available. VIP tickets for this year’s event are sold out. Camping passes are also available and cost $85 for the weekend. For more information, visit www.winstockfestival.com, and become a fan of the festival on Facebook. Last chance for Winstock raffle Tickets are still available for the Winstock Country Music Festival raffle with the grand prize of $15,000 cash. First prize is $1,000 and second prize is $500. Tickets are $100 each and must be purchased by Thursday, June 10. Drawing will be Saturday, June 12. Contact Dick Langenfeld at (320) 485-4208 or (612) 963-5552. Proceeds benefit the festival grounds.

Winstock Country Music Festival