Conlee, Pure Prairie League concerts highlight weekend entertainment
The concerts keep rolling in Abilene. And nearby.
Two shows are scheduled for this weekend, one downtown and the other about 22 miles out of town.
John Conlee, the country singer most famous for his 1978 hit "Rose Colored Glasses," is on stage at the Paramount Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
With that monster hit making his name, more chart success followed as America two-stepped its way into the "Urban Cowboy" era of the early 1980s. Conlee's hits include "Back Side of Thirty," "Lady Lay Down," "Before My Time," "Miss Emily's Picture," "Busted," "I Don't Remember Loving You" and "Common Man."
Reporter-News files indicate that Conlee performed here once, in January 1986 at the Western Swing Club on Buffalo Gap Road. He brought in two dozen No. 1 hits, pretty good for a guy who started in the funeral business and later as a radio DJ.
Tickets range in price from $29 to $59, depending on seating, plus any fees. Go to paramountabilene.com to order. Floor seats already are two-thirds sold.
At Lime Rock Amphitheatre, located at Coronado's Camps off U.S. Highway 277, it's Pure Prairie League on Saturday night.
Known for hits such as "Amie" and "Let Me Love You Tonight," the group offers a country-folk sound. A former member was Vince Gill, who went on to huge acclaim in country music.
He was not with the group when they performed at ACU's Moody Coliseum in November 1977. Before 1,800 fans, they played "Amie," "Two-Lane Highway," "Lucille Crawford," "Sun Shone Lightly" and "Fade Away," according to Reporter-News files. They even covered Buddy Holly's "That'll Be the Day" for the West Texas crowd.
Even if the show was at ACU, where dancing was not an elective course, fans got up and danced to the encore song - "Dance." Bass player Mike Reilly urged the crowd to do so; he still is with PPL.
Dancing will be encouraged at this weekend's show.
Pedal steel player John David Call still is with the band.
Jesse Lee is the opening act for 7:30 p.m. show.
General admission tickets are $30 in advance, going to $40 at the gate Saturday. Go to limerockmusic.com.
Other stuff to do
? The family movie "Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey" will be shown at 7 p.m. Thursday as part of the "Movies on the Hill" program at Abilene Christian University. The film will be inside, at Moody Coliseum. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Concession stands will be open. There is no cost.
? Abilene State Park and All Kind Animal Initiative are teaming for an outdoor activity called "Hiking with Homeless Dogs." Dogs that are available for adoption at the city's shelter will be at the park, eager to take a walk on Elm Creek Trail and around Buffalo Wallow. Hikes begin at 9 a.m. and go through 11 a.m. Cost is $5 park admission fee. Abilene State Park is southwest of Abilene on FM 89.
? Want to learn more about floral arranging? A class is scheduled from 6-8 p.m. Friday at the National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature, 102 Cedar St. Local florist Hello Flower Boys will be there with all the supplies that will be needed. Drinks and snacks will be provided. Cost is $35 per person.
Live music in town
FRIDAY
Matt Stapp, Potosi Live, 897 FM 1750
Carson Vangundy, Matera Bar & Grill, 833 South First St.
Brennan Bosworth, The Ice House, 173 Walnut St.
Joe Dean, Sharon's Barbeque South, 2050 Antilley Road
Jeff Martin, Lytle Land & Cattle, 1150 E.S. 11th St.
SATURDAY
Brent Fox, Sharon's Barbeque, 2050 Antilley Road
Dark Waters, The Winery at Willow Creek, 4353 S. Treadaway Blvd.
Zach McGinn, The Ice House, 173 Walnut St.
Terri Knight, Matera Bar & Grill, 833 South First. St.
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Conlee, Pure Prairie League concerts highlight weekend entertainment
