Atlanta Rhythm Section, Pure Prairie League, & Orleans

Orleans

Orleans is best known as the 70s Pop/Rock band that brought you the iconic hits “Still the One”, “Dance With Me” and “Love Takes Time”. Now entering it’s 41st year of live performances, Orleans has produced a body of work spanning 16 albums and several DVDs. The band continues to be in great demand domestically and internationally for live shows, as they have been for four decades.

In the summer of 2012, Orleans experienced a tragedy in the sudden passing of cofounder Larry Hoppen. While there is no replacing Larry, the decision was made to somehow continue to perform the remaining shows of the year’s calendar. Cofounder/brother Lance Hoppen, along with long-standing members Lane Hoppen, Fly Amero and Charlie Morgan were rejoined by co-founder John Hall (who had been on sabbatical as a US Congressman) in order to finish with dignity and integrity what had been started 40 years prior.

With more than a dozen successful shows under their belt, the band finds that they are more than ready, willing and able to forge ahead into year 41.

Pure Prairie League

From their beginnings in mid-Sixties Ohio as a group of friends playing cover tunes to the present-day unit featuring founding member/pedal-steel innovator John David Call, veteran bassist Mike Reilly, propulsive drummer Scott Thompson and guitar ace Donnie Clark, PURE PRAIRIE LEAGUE continues to embellish the rich 43-year history of one of Country-Rock’s pioneering forces. As one reviewer recently wrote: “PPL’s sound combines sweet memories with edgy, contemporary muscle. Their vocals are as strong as Kentucky moonshine and the musicianship and performance skills are as sharp as a straight razor”.

Their eponymous first album – featuring the Norman Rockwell/Saturday Evening Post cover that introduced fans to PPL’s trademark cowpoke “Sad Luke” – has been hailed as a “major early influence in the emerging popularity of Country-Rock music”. Their second effort, the multi- platinum “Bustin’ Out” brought us the Craig Fuller-penned classic “Amie”, along with other gems of the genre. With “Two Lane Highway”, nine more albums and countless shows, a legacy has been forged and enriched during the

‘70s and 80’s, highlighting contributions from several noteworthy members, including original co-founder George Ed Powell, Cincinnati’s legendary Goshorn Brothers, Country Hall of Famers Gary Burr and Vince Gill, award-winning writer Jeff Wilson (3 Top-20 singles) and a host of other guest appearances from Chet Atkins, Johnny Gimble, Emmy Lou Harris, David Sanborn, Eagle Don Felder, Nicolette Larson, and many more.

Now in their fifth decade, Pure Prairie League continues to lead the way for the new generation of Country/Rockers such as Keith Urban, Nickel Creek, Wilco, Counting Crows and so many others that cite PPL as a major influence.

As crisp and clean as spring water and as comfortable as a well-worn cowboy shirt, Pure Prairie League still brings it all back home.