2018 Rodney Strong Summer Concert Series Headliners Announced

In its 28th year, the Rodney Strong Summer Concert Series presented by Montgomery Village features great entertainers, award-winning wines, and local food purveyors at the scenic Concert Green & Terrace setting at Rodney Strong Vineyards. The 2018 lineup for one of the most celebrated wine, food, and music events of the summer includes:

Sunday, July 8
Michael McDonald

One of the world’s most distinctive singing voices, Michael McDonald has had a storybook career as a member of Steely Dan, The Doobie Brothers and as a highly successful solo artist and songwriter.

The five-time Grammy Award winner released Wide Open, his first new album in nearly a decade, last September. Rolling Stone said, “McDonald’s voice remains exceptional, a throaty bray – unyielding in the middle, shredded around the edges – that’s still capable of overpowering even a muscular band.”

Sunday, July 22
Melissa Etheridge

Known for her confessional lyrics and raspy, smoky vocals, Melissa Etheridge has been one of America’s favorite singer-songwriters for more than two decades. She stormed onto the American rock scene in 1988 with the release of her critically acclaimed self-titled debut album.

Throughout her career, Etheridge has earned 15 Grammy Award nominations, winning two. In 2007, she celebrated a career milestone with a victory in the “Best Song” category at the Academy Awards for “I Need to Wake Up, written for the film, An Inconvenient Truth.

Sunday, August 26
The Temptations & The Four Tops

This Motown doubleheader is not to be missed!

For more than 50 years, The Temptations have prospered, propelling popular music with a series of smash hits and sold-out performances throughout the world. An essential component of the Motown machine, The Temptations began their musical life in Detroit in the early 1960s. With an avalanche of hits, such as “The Way You Do the Things You Do,” “My Girl,” “Beauty Is Only Skin Deep,” and “Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” affection for this super-group has never been greater.

The Four Tops quartet made their first single in 1956. Their first Motown hit, “Baby I Need Your Loving” in 1964, made them stars. Soulful and bittersweet, their songs thereafter were across the board successes, “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch,) a No. 1 R&B and Pop smash in 1965, is one of Motown’s longest-running chart toppers. “It’s The Same Old Song,” “Reach Out I’ll Be There,” and “Standing In The Shadows of Love” are also long-time favorites. Touring incessantly, the group continues to be a big hit in concert.

Sunday, September 9
Boz Scaggs

Boz Scaggs’ career has spanned more than 50 years, beginning in the Bay Area with the Steve Miller Band in the 1960s. His solo triumphs followed with such classic albums as Silk Degrees in 1976 and Middle Man in 1980, plus late period high points like Some Change in 1994 and Dig in 2001.

In 2015, he released A Fool To Care, his 22nd album.”I’m at a point where I’m having a lot of fun with music, more than ever,” Scaggs says. “It’s like I’m just going wherever I want to go with it.” He believes that this album and its predecessor might be the first two parts of a trilogy.

Surrounded by acres of scenic vineyards, concert-goers are treated to intimate, unforgettable musical performances in a picturesque, summertime setting. Rodney Strong wines, non-alcoholic beverages and an array of delectable fare will be available.

Series packages start from $356 per person. Individual concerts start from $89 per person. Tickets are available online at www.rodneystrongconcertseries.com, 1-800-514-3849 by phone, or in person at the Rodney Strong Tasting Room from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily.

Rodney Strong Vineyards is located at 11455 Old Redwood Highway, off Highway 101 just south of the town of Healdsburg in Sonoma County. The winery is one hour north of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Sponsors include Rodney Strong Vineyards, Montgomery Village and River Rock Casino. For event information, visit www.rodneystrongconcertseries.com.