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Country Music Fest Favorites
Wednesday Jun 22, 2005.
By Jacob Knabb
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2005's Chicago Country Music Festival kicks off the Taste of Chicago's festivities with LeAnn Rimes, as she headlines at the Petrillo Music Shell, Saturday, June 25. Clint Black headlines the following night, once again at the Petrillo Music Shell, smack-dab in the middle of Chicago's Grant Park. With two of the biggest commercial successes of the last decade, as well as a host of regional heroes and some upstarts looking to horn in on Rimes and Black, the Windy City should be ready for some chart toppin', boot scootin', cryin' in your beer and huggin' your baby real tight good times. The Chicago Country Music Festival will also feature tunes all day long at the Illinois Lottery Taste Stage. On Saturday listen to the Dan Whitaker Band, Goldmine Pickers, The Delafields, Mark Lonsway and the Weary Boys. On Sunday The 101 Ranch, Moonshine Sway, The Forbes Brothers, Urban Twang and the Stone City Stragglers take the stage. Each day the Illinois Lottery Taste Stage will feature line-dancing lessons in between sets. Here's the ho-down, low-down: Saturday, June 25
Headliner: LeAnn Rimes @ 4:30 p.m. in the Petrillo Music Shell Stage
For more than a decade, Grammy winner and superstar LeAnn Rimes has epitomized contemporary country music. Her newest CD, This Woman, debuted at No. 2 on the country charts and No. 3 on the pop charts, taking full advantage of commercial Country Artists to make an impact in both charts, and sell a ton of records in the process. "Nothin' Bout Love," the hit single from the album, has been at the top of the country charts since 2004 and No. 1 on the CMT Video Countdown. Her wholesome girl-next-door-in-Nashville looks have bloomed into the face of one of the leading women of contemporary country. As both a sex symbol and mega popular performer, Rimes has incited a fervent following in small town and big city America, and will no doubt draw a huge crowd of all ages. Opening for Rimes will be country-great Aaron Tippin.
Head's Up: Dan Whitaker Band @ 12:30 p.m. in the Illinois Lottery Taste Stage The Dan Whittaker Band has been honing its chops and unleashing its hooks on Logan Square's Hotti Biscotti for more than a year now. With his smooth vocal delivery and his band's vast repertoire of classic and contemporary country, Dan Whittaker will fit right in with his more commercial counterparts. His sound is accessible to both aficionados of authentic old time country and top 40 radio, due primarily to Whittaker's vocals, which are too smooth-hewn to be outlaw country, and too well sung to be red-neck, but edgy enough to rile a crowd, and solid enough to scoot your boots to.
Sunday, June 26
Headliner: Clint Black @ 4:30 p.m. in the Petrillo Music Shell Stage
Clint Black first hit the country charts with the 1989 debut album Killin' Time, opening a decade of chart-topping success, helping to redefine a poppier country in the process. His newest studio release, Spend My Time, offers an intimate view of his development into an adult contemporary country musician. Black's unmistakable voice and tall, dark and handsome sex appeal have helped him sell out shows since before Garth Brooks was a household name. According to All Music's Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Black "offered a shiny, marketable version of traditional country, and in the process paved the way for a new generation of country artists, particularly Garth Brooks." With his trademark black cowboy hat, and songs of the small-town lifestyle and ethos, Black has released six full-lengths, a Christmas album and a collection of his greatest hits. With his most recent release hitting the charts in 2004, Black will no doubt play a blend of his early hits, fan favorites, and newer work.
Head's up: Julie Roberts @ 3 p.m. in the Petrillo Music Shell Stage
Legendary newscaster and country music aficionado Joel Daley will be on hand to host on Sunday, and will undoubtedly have something to say about upstart, Julie Roberts. Opening for Clint Black on Sunday, Roberts will most definitely feature the radio smash form her eponymous debut album, "Break Down Here," the track that sent her speeding into the mainstream spotlight. She likely won't appeal to fans of hard country and honkey tonk, but Roberts is notable for her blend of blue-eyed soul with a country spin, which makes something of a commercially viable artists in the vein of Faith Hill and Norah Jones. Given the mainstream feel of this years Festival, as well as the pop-inflected nature of contemporary country performers, Roberts is the most promising performer, and the most likely to rival Shania Twain and LeAnn Rimes in the years to come. Admission is Free. Check the City's Web site for more information about the 2005 Country Music Festival.
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