With close to 4,000 people coming to see Lonestar, Batavia Downs kicked off their Summer Concert series on Sunday.
Marilyn Torcello, a 64 year resident of Batavia, says she is a country music fan and to have them locally right here in Batavia is excellent. Torcello said that she was fortunate to receive two free tickets. Torcello came to the show early, spent a little money and enjoyed a concert. She says she plans to come to the other concerts also.
“We looked at what other gaming facilities in the area were doing and WNY is a fair and festival area and when May hits and up until it starts snowing, there are concerts outside and why not here,” says Ryan Hasenauer, Director of Marketing for Batavia Downs.
“We have all this space, parking and lets make this a place to fill our calendar to have people come and enjoy hearing artists place.”
Hasenauer was just excited about the renewed interest in the Batavia Downs.
“I fielded several phone calls where people were telling me that they haven’t been here in years, so we are able to show the new renovations and it will bring more money to Batavia with local businesses.”
Rob Bilson from Rob Bilson and the Rugged Hearts, one of three opening acts, has been involved with music since high school. This is the first time that he has been in Batavia performing at Batavia Downs. He is semi-retired from live performances.
Bilson has put out ten albums and a solo full length album called Beautiful Tonight. He has had 5 top ten hits, a number one song on Kiss 98.5 called “Everything” and number one record on Billboard.
Bilson has opened for Kelly Pickler, Kanye West, and also Brett Michaels.
You will also hear his music on TV shows like “The Walking Dead” and “Wallburgers”.
Two other acts, Barnstorm and Jillian Cardarelli opened up as well for Lonestar.
Buffalo Sabres layer, Danny Gare and Buffalo Bills, Hall of Famer, Thurman Thomas made an appearance to cheering fans.
The headliner of the first summer concert series, Lonestar, has been playing together for over 25 years. The band consists of Richie McDonald(lead vocals), Michael Britt(lead guitar), Dean Sams(keyboards & backing vocals) and Keech Rainwater(drums).
Known for their hit “Amazed”, which was number one on Billboard top hits, has received several awards from 1999 ACM Single of the Year and Song of the Year for “Amazed” and then also in 2001 the CMA Vocal Group of the Year.
Lonestar will be on tour all summer playing their hit songs and also new songs from their 2016 album “Never Enders”. They also raffled off a signed guitar, with all proceeds going to local organization Volunteers for Animals
Batavia Downs will have 5 more concerts, which will feature many WNY bands as opening acts.
Coming to Batavia Downs is Dennis DeYoung, Eddie Money, Lou Gramm, The Marshall Tucker Band, and Lee Greenwood.
For more information on the Summer Concert Series go to Log In or Sign Up to View
For more info on the Bands that played you can go to:
Barnstorm—https://www.facebook.com/Buffalobarnstormband/
Rob Bilson and the Rugged Hearts–https://www.facebook.com/robbilsonmusic/
Jillian Cardarelli–https://www.facebook.com/jilliancardarelli
Story and photos by Julie Carasone