The evening entertainment slate for FMCA’s 84th International Convention features three terrific acts that will have attendees singing, dancing, and wishing the nights would never end.
By Doug Uhlenbrock, Associate Editor
June 2010
As the sun settles down behind the Cascade Mountains each night during the “Redmond Rocks! Feel The Excitement!” convention in Redmond, Oregon, attendees will be taken on a musical journey that begins in Texas; heads southeast to the Caribbean; then shoots north to Detroit. During this three-day voyage, attendees can expect to see some rising stars, enjoy a “Cheeseburger In Paradise,” and put some serious wear on their dancing shoes.
The evening entertainment lineup for FMCA’s 84th International Convention, August 11 through 14, 2010, at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center, features three performances that are sure to make nighttime the right time for excitement during your stay. So, grab your cowboy hat, pull out that awful Hawaiian shirt you’re never allowed to wear, and get ready to move your feet and sing along to songs you know by heart.
The opening night of the convention, Wednesday, August 11, will include entertainment of a different sort as the Motorhome Preview returns to an evening time slot, presented from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Enjoy the festive atmosphere in the coach display area as manufacturer and dealer representatives accentuate their exhibits with lights, decorations, music, giveaways, and more. And, of course, check out the newest offerings in 2010- and 2011-model motorhomes. Come out and have a great time with friends while possibly finding the next motorhome of your dreams.
The following three nights of evening entertainment will take place at the Juniper Arena beginning at 8:00 p.m.
Kicking off the excitement on Thursday, August 12, will be the top vocal group from the 2009 edition of NBC’s hit show “America’s Got Talent,” The Texas Tenors.
Friends John Hagen, JC Fisher, and Marcus Collins were following a dream when they walked onstage in Houston, Texas, to audition for the TV show. They found stardom a few months later as millions of people from around the world tuned in to see and hear them perform. The trio finished fourth overall, but in the process gained the respect and admiration of countless viewers who embraced their distinctive sound and artistic renditions of songs ranging from country and classical to pop and gospel.
Each individual brings something different to the group. John Hagen shows his vast classical music experience, having performed in numerous national operas and Broadway shows. JC Fisher, who was raised on a cattle ranch, adds the country and gospel influence. And Marcus Collins infuses the group with raw emotion and a contemporary pop sound.
Since their whirlwind rise to stardom, The Texas Tenors have performed throughout the United States. The group has appeared at the Starlite Theatre in Branson, Missouri, and will make a 21-stop tour of the United Kingdom in the fall. The trio also released its debut album, “The Texas Tenors: Country Roots – Classical Sound.”
On Friday, get ready for a feeding frenzy of fun as Live Bait, one of the top Jimmy Buffett tribute bands, transforms Juniper Arena into Margaritaville.
The five-member band, which has been together since 2001, will take the audience on a musical cruise around the Caribbean, reprising many of Jimmy Buffett’s most popular songs such as “Fins,” “Cheeseburger In Paradise,” “Come Monday,” and “Son Of A Sailor,” to name just a few. The group includes Al Spohn (guitar and vocals), Tom Lapp (keyboards, brass, steel drums, and vocals), Bill VanAllen (lead guitar and vocals), Gino Pehota (bass guitar and vocals), and Hank Wansaw (drums and percussion). Through their nine-year run, the band has developed a cohesive act that features tight vocal harmonies and expert musical skills to create an exciting event for all.
Besides the standard Parrot Head fare, the group will perform favorite beach and party tunes from artists such as Bob Marley, Alan Jackson, Kenny Chesney, and even KC & The Sunshine Band. The show also will include plenty of audience participation with a snaking conga line, a chance to show how low you can limbo, leis for all, beach balls to bat around the stands, and plenty of giveaways. So, get ready to have your “latitude” adjusted during this tropical excursion.
On Saturday, prepare for a trip down memory lane with some of the great rhythm and blues songs from yesteryear as Forever Motown delivers the hits many of us have listened to for decades.
During the 1960s and 1970s, the Motown record label featured an all-star lineup of the top R&B musicians in the world, including Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, Gladys Knight and The Pips, The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, and many more. During Forever Motown, the audience will hear hits such as “My Girl,” “Reach Out,” “Shop Around,” “Stop! In The Name Of Love,” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” while the costumed cast glides across the stage in a precisely choreographed performance.
The group includes Dave and Sonia Revels, who deliver incredible performances of the Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell hits “Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing” and “You’re All I Need To Get By.” Sam White will captivate the crowd with his rendition of Lionel Ritchie’s “Three Times A Lady,” and Fran Baltzer will electrify the audience with Gladys Knight and the Pips’ “I Heard It Through The Grapevine.” Joining them will be Cliff Dawson and Traci Robinson, both outstanding artists with a sound and personality that will take you back to early days of rock and roll.
So, whether you want to hear a little Texas country with a splash of classical mixed in, are searching for a tropical beach party, or want to groove to the soulful sounds of yesteryear, the “Redmond Rocks! Feel The Excitement!” convention surely will provide plenty of opportunities for fun in the evening hours.