'Country Summer' To Feature Biggest Names In Country Music, Local Musicians and Fundraisers To Benefit Non-Profits

By PATTY SHANNON (Open Post)

While country music’s biggest stars are Country Summer’s main attraction, local musicians will also perform and non-profit organizations will benefit from fundraisers in concert with the event on June 5-7 at the Sonoma County Event Center, 1350 Bennet Valley Road.

Headliners include Jake Owen on June 5, The Band Perry on June 6 and Brantley Gilbert on June 7. In addition to the headliners, the June 5 lineup includes Gary Allan, Chris Young, Parmalee and Jared Porter, winner of the Fender Contender Challenge who will open the show. June 6 includes Lee Brice, Jerrod Niemann, Frankie Ballard and The Swon Brothers. June 7 includes Trace Adkins, Easton Corbin and Cassadee Pope.

The Santa Rosa Stage

Between main acts on the Montgomery Village Stage, there will be The Santa Rosa Stage featuring local area Top 10 semi-finalists from the Fender Contender Challenge, a competition based upon fans’ votes.

On June 5, Lindsay Bruce and McKenna Faith will perform split sets.

Lindsay Bruce – Born and raised in Northern California, Bruce is the voice of California Country – a blend of her West Coast upbringing and traditional country values, amplified by her last three years in Nashville. Her sound combines the upbeat feel of a summer concert with singer/songwriter relatability. In 2014, she landed a spot on Season 6 of NBC’s “The Voice.”

McKenna Faith – Faith is a 20-year-old country rock/country pop singer/songwriter and Nashville recording artist from Northern California. She has toured the nation, shared the stage with country’s biggest stars and was the #1 Selling Independent Female Country Artist on iTunes in 2013.

On June 6, JD Bauman & The Boot Band will perform.

JD Bauman & The Boot Band – Santa Rosa, California has been Bauman’s home since birth. The Honky Tonk sound on his newest release profiles his booming baritone accented by the eerie likes of a steel guitar. The band has an impressive resume, having shared the stage with Willie Nelson, Joe Diffie and The Charlie Daniels Band to name a few.

On June 7, Queen Anne’s Lace will perform.

Queen Anne’s Lace – Local favorites Carly Graves and Kyle Lino grew up listening to 1990s country music and branched out to alternative rock, pop and bluegrass. “Some of our songs are strongly influenced by pop, and one or two have a bluegrass feeling,” Graves said. “We have tried a variety of styles, but you just can’t beat feel good country music.”

Have a Front of the Stage Seat To Benefit Wounded Warriors

The Wounded Warrior auction for TailGreat seats is the opportunity of a lifetime to experience concerts from the back of the official Country Summer RAM pick-up truck parked in front of the stage.

Three eBay auctions, one for each day of Country Summer, are now underway. Bidding closes June 1. The Wounded Warrior Project honors and empowers wounded warriors, providing aid, assistance and programs to meet the needs of the injured service members.

Big Bucks to Support Our Troops

Have a blast on a metal beast, all for a good cause. Country Summer presents Mechanical Bull Riding with proceeds benefitting MOMS, Mothers of Military Servicemembers, an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization supporting the men and women serving in the U.S. Armed Services.

Over the past 12 years, MOMS has collected, packaged and mailed Comforts from Home to Sonoma County military service members all over the world. For a couple bucks, cowboy up, honky-tonk over and take a twirl on the mechanical bull for charity.

Event Information

Great festivals are more than great music. Country Summer is a destination country celebration with Western-themed attractions, an expanded 2015 Food Court with country-inspired delights and an array of libations to please every palette -- from Bud Light for beer drinkers to wine and spirits at the Leese-Fitch Wine Garden and the Jack Daniel’s Saloon.

Daily tickets start from $69 for general admission, $99 for reserved seats. Friday and Sunday reserved seat tickets are still available. Saturday reserved seats are sold out. To purchase tickets, visit www.countrysummer.com or call 800.514.3849 to order by phone.

Country Summer is produced by Impact Entertainment and Sonoma Media Group, the owner of Froggy 92.9 and other leading radio stations serving Sonoma County.

Event sponsors include Lithia RAM of Santa Rosa, Friedman’s Home Improvement, Bud Light, Montgomery Village, Les Schwab Tire Centers of Sonoma and Mendocino Counties, Leese-Fitch Wines, Jack Daniel’s, River Rock Casino, Fender, American AgCredit, Cattlemens, Xfinity, Creams, Papé Material Handling, U.S. Marines, Harris Ranch, the City of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Convention & Visitors Bureau and Froggy 92.9.

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