Concert lineup changes
Published on -7/1/2009, 12:49 PM
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By JUNO OGLE
Saturday's concert at the Wild West Festival in Hays has changed, but fans still will be able to groove to 1960s hits.
Tommy James and the Shondells, known for hits such as "Mony Mony," "Crimson and Clover" and "I Think We're Alone Now," had to cancel due to the hospitalization of James' wife, the festival committee learned Tuesday.
"These people are human, too, and sometimes these things happen. We wish the best for Tommy James and his wife," said Mary Karst, co-president of the Wild West Festival Committee.
The committee already has found a replacement for the 9:30 p.m. show in Davy Jones, best known from the 1960s television show "The Monkees."
"As a committee, I think we did a pretty good job in getting a replacement so quickly in Davy Jones," Karst said.
Jones came to fame when The Monkees -- Jones, Micky Dolenz, Peter Tork and Michael Nesmith -- were put together for a TV show in 1966. The show was on the air through 1968, but the group continued to release records until 1970.
Their hits included the show's theme song, "Last Train to Clarksville," "I'm Not Your Steppin' Stone" and "I'm a Believer."
In the late 1980s, MTV aired the show, often in marathons, and the group saw a revival. Jones, Dolenz and Tork joined for a tour and the group released a 20th-anniversary album.
In addition to touring, Jones trains and rides racehorses, and competes in charity sports.
Opening for Jones on Saturday night will be the Moody Hooters at 6 p.m. and Jimmy Dee and the Fabulous Destinations at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $12 and are good for admission to the grounds on south Main Street during the entire festival. Heart of America carnival opens tonight at 6 p.m. The festival grounds open at 5 p.m. Thursday.
A schedule and more information on events can be found at www.wildwestfestival.com.
I think they have done one hell of a job! Booking Talents such as Tracey Lawrence isn't an easy feat. I feel finding the funding and the coordination to bring him to town is an accomplishment in itself. Kudos to the WWF Committee! Let's not forget about those dedicated people in Victoria who bring in a famous singer/band and offer it for free!
(Posted by: Kudos)
40 and older and under : 7/2/2009
My 13 year old daughter is excited to go to the WWF this year with her 40 plus mother. Tommy James or Davy Jones ---- she loves the oldies
(Posted by: )
Looking Forward to it: 7/2/2009
I finally after many years of not attending WWF plan to go see Tracy Lawrence. Been waiting for him to come around for a long time. Hopefully we "40's & up" can enjoy the concert without the teens ruining it for us.
(Posted by: Country girl)
Wife? What Wife?: 7/2/2009
Tommy says he's single on his MySpace page. Check it: http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll&friendId=119212985
(Posted by: The Hanky Panky)
: 7/1/2009
What's wrong with the committee getting acts like Tommy James and Davy Jones? Chill out, 40 Or Under. You can listen to your "current bands" any time you want to. For one thing, just listen for loud, obnoxious stereos in cars driven with the windows down by boring, insecure dolts as if to say "Somebody PLEASE pay attention to me!"
(Posted by: 41 And Better)
Easy, boy: 7/1/2009
I agree, a "younger" band would be nice...I watched Phil Vassar a couple years ago and haven't been back to WWF since. BUT, this is a small town festival and I think the committee does a GREAT job, normally getting a variety of acts. And the "older" folks are the ones buying expensive tickets and supporting it!
(Posted by: Hays Fan)
Speak for yourself: 7/1/2009
There have been plenty of bands in the past for the younger crowd. The 40 and over crowd are not complaining about that crappy music you listen too. I see the committee trying to have something for everyone to listen too. So don't knock the 70's music, I know plenty of younger people that want to listen to it also. I think your 90% figure is a little high.
(Posted by: )
Keepin' it cheap.: 7/1/2009
What do you want for $12, B&W? Consider the food, the beer, the crowd and the community spirit that goes into putting on an event like this. Bigger acts, like a Britney Spears, would wind up costing the organizer thousands neither they nor concertgoers in this low wage area would pay for. Brit's current average ticket price, BTW, is $99.29. I'm sure that folks here in the Bible Belt will pay that sum for their kid to go to this slut's concert. Even a quality older act, such as the Eagles, will run an average of $135. And that would be in a high-end venue like Pepsi Center or Sprint Center. Have a little consideration for the market before you go criticizing the hard work the WWF committee does to give us the best entertainment they can.
(Posted by: Dealin' With Dummies)
Bad and Worse: 7/1/2009
One of these days the committee is going to have to wise up and start appealing to the younger crowds...younger being 40 and under! These bands are sad. I know for a fact that they've had the opportunity to get some "current" bands and turn them down in favor of these old no-name groups that 90% of the town could care less about.
(Posted by: )
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