Indian Ranch launches summer concert series

WEBSTER — As might be expected given the calendar, things are astir down on the "ranch."

"It's a busy time of the year around here," said Suzette Raun, president of Indian Ranch.

The 2019 Yuengling Summer Concert Series at Indian Ranch’s outdoor amphitheater on the shores of Webster Lake got underway with a performance by country star Lee Brice. The Pike 100 FM Beach Party with Chuck Perks every Tuesday from 5:30 to 8 p.m. has already started, and the Indian Princess riverboat has been cruising around the lake since Mother's Day. Meanwhile, Samuel Slater's Restaurant opened in October and is helping to expand Indian Ranch's calendar year-round.

The summer concert series is busting out in a big way. Singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge will perform a concert June 29 and intense country artist Kip Moore headlines on June 30.

Other major events scheduled for the summer current series, which runs through Sept. 29, include legendary country figures (Charlie Daniels, Sept. 15), classic rock (Cheap Trick, Aug. 3), tribute acts (Bruce in the USA, July 13; Get the Led Out, July 27) and the return of HairFest (Sept. 28) and the third annual Local Country Fest (Sept. 29).   

"There's lots happening and lots of excitement for the series coming up. I'm excited about this season," Raun said.

The main stage amphitheater can seat 3,000 and includes a covered pavilion. The smaller Corral Stage will have acts, many of them local, for early arrivers to take in.

Indian Ranch (which also includes a seasonal campground) dates to 1946, and Raun and her family have owned it since 2004. Over a good part of its 73 years, Indian Ranch has been known as "Nashville North," bringing in country legends like Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Loretta Lynn. That music is still an integral part of the schedule, but Raun said that in recent years a mix of country and classic rock had been hitting the right notes with audiences.

"I think we really did kind of find our niche. I think we really have a good country base and a good classic rock base," Raun said. 

This summer, "it's a really good mix between the country and the classic rock, tribute bands and national acts that are here for the first time."  

Indian Ranch pays attention to feedback on social media, Raun said. A recent announcement about the Cheap Trick concert received a good response on Facebook, she noted.

"We haven't done anything that we don't feel will be supported, but never say never, right?"

But she's pretty sure about Lee Brice, who was at Indian Ranch last year.

"He has a strong following. When you see someone kind of repeat, they're really a strong act, like the fan favorite," Raun said.    

The Mavericks (July 14), a band with country, Latin and rockabilly influences, has become an Indian Ranch fan favorite since its first appearance there in 2013.

Then there's Charlie Daniels, 82, who will be coming back for his 28th visit.

"He's our favorite. As long as he's out playing, we love to keep on bringing him back," Raun said.

With that, she said Indian Ranch also likes to being new faces to the venue each year, albeit that they are often veteran entertainers. Melissa Etheridge will be making her first Indian Ranch appearance this summer, as will Cheap Trick, Yacht Rock Revue (Sept. 14) and Bruce in the USA.  

The first HairFest last year mostly featured 1980s tribute bands. "It was a great success," Raun said. It returns, as does the Local Country Fest, "a nice way to get some local country artists in as well. It's kind of nice to see a lot of local talent."    

Local Country Fest will close out the summer series, but the opening of Samuel Slater's as a year-round restaurant "gives people in the area a nice place to go and opens up being able to do events year-round," Raun said. The newly renovated Slater's Function Hall is a banquet room with a full bar, dance floor and stage. Events could be held there into the winter, she said.

But right now you can also stretch out your summer day at Indian Ranch by buying a Slater's VIP Club ticket to the restaurant. "You can have that as part of your whole concert experience." 

Similarly, Indian Princess has cruises the same day of several concerts. "You can make a whole day of it," Raun said.     

The lineup for the rest of the Indian Ranch Yuengling Summer Concert Series, which began June 15, is as follows, but may change. Full ticket information is available at www.IndianRanch.com.

June 29 — Melissa Etheridge. Main stage show at 1 p.m. Etheridge  brings her "Medicine Show" tour to Indian Ranch following the release of the album of the same name.  " ... this is about health, wellness, cannabis, this new thought, new paradigm, however you want to talk about it, however you want to understand it,”  Etheridge said in a statement.

June 30 — Kip Moore (Jordan Fletcher opening). Main stage show 1 p.m. Georgia-born singer-songwriter packs a punch. 

July 13 — Bruce in the USA. Main stage show 1 p.m. " ...  a note-perfect and visually accurate recreation of a Bruce Springsteen and the E St. Band show."

July 14 — The Mavericks (Sweet Lizzy opening). Main stage show 1 p.m.

July 21 — George Throughgood and the Destroyers (with special guest Nick Schenblen). Main stage show 2 p.m. A  classic rock 'n' roll band and Indian Ranch regular.

July 27 — Get The Led Out. Main stage show at 8 p.m. "The American Led Zeppelin" returns after its Indian Ranch debut last year.

July 28 — Scott McCreery (Alisan Porter opening).  Main stage show at 1 p.m. Country singer won the 10th season of "American Idol." Worcester's Alisan Porter won the 10th season of "The Voice."

Aug. 3 — Cheap Trick. Main stage show at 1 p.m. Decades of rock.

Aug. 4 — Josh Turner. Main stage show at 1 p.m.

Aug. 10 — Gavin DeGraw. Main stage show at 1 p.m.

Aug. 18 — Dwight Yoakam (with special guest Sugarcane Jane). Main stage show at 1 p.m. Unconventional country style fusing honky-tonk, rockabilly and even punk.

Aug. 25 — The Marshall Tucker Band. Main stage show at 1 p.m. Another Indian Ranch favorite.

Sept. 14 — Yacht Club Revue. Main stage show 1 p.m. Covers of classic soft rock.

Sept. 15 — The Charlie Daniels Band. Main stage show at 1 p.m.

Sept. 28 — HairFest. Show 11:30 a.m.

Sept. 29 — Local Country Fest. Show 11:30 a.m.