Gretchen Wilson's meteoric rise was that rare instance where talent and moment meet to form a cultural tidal wave. Gretchen's flair for tailoring songs as gorgeously rough-edged as she is, have given her the kind of "I am what I sing" originality few women in country music history like Loretta, Tammy, Dolly and Tanya have ever been able to achieve.
Her first single, "Redneck Woman," spent six weeks at #1; her debut album, Here For The Party, sold more than five million copies; she won across-the-board awards including a Grammy and ACM, CMA and AMA nods for best female vocalist; and she toured to large and raucous crowds around the world.
Her second CD, All Jacked Up, checked in to platinum status. Over the last three years, she has been featured on "60 Minutes," "Dateline NBC," "20/20 Primetime" and CNN's "People In The News," and she has appeared on virtually every morning, noon and late-night television show on the air. Magazine covers and major news features could paper an entire wall.
Lonestar's musical legacy is tied to modern-day classics like "Amazed," "I'm Already There," and "My Front Porch Looking In," heartfelt anthems to family, love and fidelity, and across-the-board hits of the first order. They are, in short, among modern country music's greatest ambassadors.
The journey that led them through 15 years and 10 million albums is almost over, as Laketown Fest will be one of the final appearances of Lonestar with the present line-up. Lead singer Richie McDonald is leaving the group two weeks after Laketown Fest to pursue a solo career.
Legendary music icons Three Dog Night enter their fourth decade, bringing with them some of the most astonishing statistics in music history. Between 1969 - 1974, no other band had more Top 10 hits, moved more records or sold more concert tickets than Three Dog Night. They are heard on the radio day in and day out with smash hits such as, Mama Told Me (Not to Come), One, Celebrate, Eli's Comin', Joy to the World, Shambala, Black & White and 14 more Top 40 hits! Boasting chart and record sales that are virtually unmatched in popular music, Three Dog Night had 21 consecutive Top 40 hits, 18 Top 20's, 11 Top 10's and 12 straight RIAA Certified Gold LPs. Tens of millions of their records have been sold and continue to sell around the world.
Grand Funk Railroad were the people's choice, and the people were right!" For thirty-five years their high-energy legacy still reigns over the Classic Rock landscape, and mega hits, We're An American Band, I'm Your Captain, Bad Time, Locomotion, Some Kind of Wonderful and more still receive continuous airplay on Classic Rock radio. The top selling American rock group of the '70's features founding members Don Brewer (vocals and drums), and bassist Mel Schacher, Joining Mel and Don are singer, Max Carl from 38 Special, and Bruce Kulick, known for his 12 years with KISS.
Zebra is a legendary rock band born in 1975. Their self-titled debut, Zebra, was released in 1983 and became the fastest selling debut record in Atlantic Records history. Essential Zebra hits include Tell Me What You Want, One More Chance, As I Said Before, Who's Behind the Door, Take Your Fingers from My Hair, and The La La Song. These songs established the fan base that still returns thirty years later to watch Zebra's legendary live shows and a new generation of twenty-somethings still wanting to rock.
For more than 15 years, the members of the New Orleans-based band Cowboy Mouth have embraced, and shouted the joys of their hometown, sharing a slice of Mardi Gras heaven with fans around the world. Their legendary live shows, witnessed by more than 8 million fans, were captured best by Cake magazine "...on a bad night they'll tear the roof off the joint and on a good night they'll save your soul." Cowboy Mouth is the most fun you'll ever have getting your ass kicked by a rock and roll band!
Rounding out the top flight talent at Laketown Festival are six of the most popular groups from throughout the region that are proven crowd pleasers at all types of social events - The Bucktown All Stars, the Topcats, Rockin' Doopsie, the Chee Weez, Bag of Donuts and Christian Serpas and Ghost Town.
