NASHVILLE |
DATE: MAY 10, 2007
FROM: MARCEE RONDAN/KRISTINE ASHTON-MAGNUSON/
MITCH SCHNEIDER/TODD BRODGINSKI
STAGECOACH 2007:
MORE THAN 55,000 MUSIC FANS GATHER
TO CELEBRATE CALIFORNIA’S COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL
More than 55,000 music fans of all ages turned out for this past weekend’s inaugural STAGECOACH. Billed as California’s Country Music Festival, the critically-acclaimed, two-day concert, held at the Empire Polo Field in Indio, drew upon the music of various genres: main stream country, bluegrass, folk, roots rock and alt-country. With more than 60 acts on four distinct performance areas (the Tundra Mane Stage; along with the Palomino, Appaloosa and Mustang stages), there was something for everyone.
Beyond the music, concertgoers could also sample tastings from a BBQ cook-off, ride a mechanical bull, view country music memorabilia at the Honky Tonk Hall of Fame, experience a trail boss seminar, and enjoy the sights and sounds of the children’s Half-Pint Hootenanny area.
With 2,200 RVs set up in a camp area adjacent to the festival grounds, attendees eased into the venue early in the day after enjoying the campground amenities concert promoters, Goldenvoice, had put in place to make their weekend enjoyable. From a movie screening on Friday night to a gospel choir on Sunday morning, there was plenty to do even before enjoying two jam-packed days of music.
Here’s some initial critical response to STAGECOACH:
LOS ANGELES TIMES (5/8/07): “I heard spine-tingling music, devoured by enthusiasts…fans of grass-roots country and its sister styles will treasure the memory of this first Stagecoach festival, where they got to hear so much fine music, with legroom to spare.”
NEW YORK TIMES (5/8/07) “Everywhere you looked this weekend, someone was singing along…The combination of mainstream and nonmainstream acts is part of what sets Stagecoach apart from more established country music festivals…”
USA TODAY (5/8/07): “Organizers billed Stagecoach as ‘California’s Country Music Festival,’ and they define ‘country’ as a broader entity than is in favor on today's country radio.”
THE TENNESSEAN (5/8/07): “Desert fest celebrates country–in all its forms…The result was the country music version of a smorgasbord buffet…for all the country you care to hear over two days in one of the most picturesque locations in North America.”
DESERT SUN (5/8/07): “The first major country music festival in Southern California since the 1990s, Stagecoach rode strong gusts of wind to a remarkable lift-off…”
CMT.COM (5/7/07): With more than 50 artists playing across four stages for two days, country music fans proved over the weekend that they do indeed know how to party.
BILLBOARD.COM (5/8/07): “…the opportunity was there to experience much more than just chart-busting acts.”
STAGECOACH 2007 was sponsored by Toyota Tundra in association with CMT, Wells Fargo and Boot Barn. Stay tuned for news of STAGECOACH 2008 and check out www.stagecoachfestival.com for updates…
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STAGECOACH 2007: MORE THAN 55,000 MUSIC FANS GATHER TO CELEBRATE CALIFORNIA’S COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL
