Country music is usually synonymous with summer. However, Long Island is getting a gust of wind coming from the south with several events occurring this season. Here are five ways to celebrate country in winter.
RASCAL FLATTS
Five years ago, Rascal Flatts disbanded, but the trio of Gary LeVox (lead vocalist), Jay DeMarcus (bassist, backing vocals) and Joe Don Rooney (lead guitarist, backing vocals) has reunited and will headline UBS Arena at Belmont Park in Elmont Jan. 29.
“Last year was the 25th anniversary of the band. We felt we owed it to our fans and ourselves to celebrate,” LeVox says. “Whatever gifts we have, we put them all together in a crockpot and get to cookin’ baby!”
The “Life is Highway Tour” is fan-driven and caters to the band’s shining moments like “What Hurts the Most,” “Bless the Broken Road” and “My Wish.”
“We go through all the hits with nothing but high energy. This show takes you through the stories of your life musically,” LeVox states. “Our fans sing every word to every song the entire show. We’ve been blessed to record some songs that have become timeless, and that’s all you can hope for as an artist.”
- WHEN | WHERE 7 p.m., Jan. 29 at UBS Arena at Belmont Park, 2400 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont
- TICKETS $38.35-$225.40
- MORE INFO 516-460-8950, ubsarena.com
THE MARSHALL TUCKER BAND
The Marshall Tucker Band will headline the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts on Feb. 1. Credit: Mariah Gray/MG Photography
The Marshall Tucker Band has had a tight bond with Long Island dating back to 1973. The country rock band played almost every local venue including C.W. Post, Stony Brook University, Nassau Coliseum, Commack Arena, Westbury Music Fair, Jones Beach Theater, The Paramount, John J. Burns Park and Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts, where they’ll return Feb. 1.
“Our album, ‘Live on Long Island 04-18-80’ really kicked off the connection because it’s a favorite,” vocalist-keyboardist-flutist-saxophonist Marcus James Henderson says.
Expect to hear perennials like “Can’t You See,” “Heard It in a Love Song” and “Fire on the Mountain” next to fan requests like “Cattle Drive,” “Ab’s Song” and “Searchin’ for a Rainbow.”
“We play the hits. There’s no reason to not perform what people want to hear,” Henderson notes. “Listening to the crowd sing the chorus of ‘Can’t You See’ never gets old. It’s stirring every time.”
- WHEN | WHERE 7 p.m. Feb. 1 at Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts, 71 E. Main St.
- COST $61-$101
- MORE INFO 631-207-1313, patchoguetheatre.org
ELI YOUNG BAND
The Eli Young Band will headline The Paramount in Huntington on Feb. 13. Credit: Corey Ray
Playing The Paramount in Huntington has become a regular tour stop for these Texas country rockers. This time the group is sharing the bill with LANCO. The two bands just collaborated on a new single, “Call You a Friend.”
“We’ve been talking about writing a song together for years,” vocalist-guitarist Michael Eli says. “Through Zoom we exchanged ideas back and forth. All of a sudden, we completed one and we will play it together live on stage.”
Known for songs like “Crazy Girl,” “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” and “Drunk Last Night,” the band began through the union of Eli and guitarist James Young when they were roommates in college.
“James and I started writing songs and hit it off right away,” Eli says. “We then did an acoustic duo thing at a local bar in Texas. The other guys, Jon [Jones, bass] and Chris [Thompson, drums], jumped up to play four songs and the band was born.”
- WHEN | WHERE 8 p.m. Feb. 13 at The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington
- COST $37.25-$120.35
- MORE INFO 631-673-7300, paramountny.com
COUNTRYLIVE
CountryLIVE will headline The Suffolk in Riverhead on Feb. 20. Credit: Dave Gar
When folks come see CountryLIVE at The Suffolk in Riverhead on Feb. 20, they will get a quadruple tribute as the 10-piece band shines a spotlight on modern country’s biggest names: Kenny Chesney (portrayed by Kevin Humphris), Shania Twain (Devon Marie), Keith Urban (Steve Brown of Trixter) and Luke Bryan (Willie Lock).
“Each singer comes out alone and does their portion of the show. We return together for a big finale at the end,” Humphris says. “Our focus is to give you exactly what you’d be getting at one of these legends’ shows.”
The set list is packed with wall-to-wall hits from anthems (“Somebody Like You,” “Man, I Feel Like a Woman”) to ballads (“You’re Still the One,” “Drink a Beer”) to rockers (“Country Girl,” “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16”).
“Like Kenny, I’m more laid-back, whereas Devon is on her wireless mic and out in the crowd,” Humphris says. “Steve Brown is all about the guitar and Willie Lock is a frontman with a ton of power.”
- WHEN | WHERE 8 p.m. Feb. 20 at The Suffolk, 118 E. Main St., Riverhead
- COST $46-$76
- MORE INFO 631-727-4343, thesuffolk.org
“COUNTRY WEDNESDAYS”
Catch a show at 89 North Music Venue in Patchogue. Credit: Bruce Gilbert
Midweek from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m., 89 North Music Venue in Patchogue is filled with cowboy hats and boots because it’s “Country Wednesdays.” DJ Cleveland spins modern country hits while dance instructor Leslie Bartik teaches some line dancing lessons.
“The country scene has been growing for the past 15 years on Long Island,” owner Kevin Sheehan says. “You will see people 21 to 61 all dancing together. It’s a great vibe.”
Live bands like Rusty Spur and SouthBound play every other week and there’s a large hardwood dance floor that can hold up to 100 people.
“People are out there dancing all night,” Bartik says. adds. “Once you get into it, you are hooked. Everyone leaves with a big smile.”
- WHEN | WHERE 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Wednesdays at 89 North Music Venue, 89 N. Ocean Ave., Patchogue
- COST $10
- MORE INFO 631-730-8992, 89northmusic.com
David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday’s exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.newsday.com ’
