Country rockers taking Two Lane Highway to Newton

NEWTON — Legendary country rockers Pure Prairie League are headed to The Newton Theatre on Friday, July 21, 2017 at 8 p.m.
Pure Prairie League’s longevity is a testament to the timelessness of the music. This distinctly American band drew heavily from 1960s’ rock, adding a heavy dose of country and high-flying harmony that gave it a unique sound soon to be known as country-rock. Their classic hit Amie not only put them on the map, but went on to become perhaps the most well known and beloved country rock song of all time. Whether they are Pickin To Beat The Devil, or taking you riding down a Two Lane Highway, Pure Prairie League is a sure fire good time.
When country rockers Pure Prairie League formed in the late 1960s, no one had put a label on the music they played. Although the band drew heavily from 1960s’ rock, the group added a heavy dose of country and high-flying harmony that gave it a unique sound soon to be known as country-rock. Pure Prairie League, along with groups like the Eagles, reached mainstream radio listeners by the mid-1970s, as singles like Amie climbed the Billboard charts. Pure Prairie League continued to record, tour, and place singles on the charts.
From their beginnings in mid-Sixties Ohio as a group of friends playing cover tunes to the present-day unit featuring founding member/pedal-steel innovator John David Call, veteran bassist Mike Reilly, propulsive drummer Scott Thompson and guitar ace Donnie Clark, Pure Prairie League continues to embellish the rich 43-year history of one of Country-Rock’s pioneering forces. As one reviewer recently wrote: “PPL’s sound combines sweet memories with edgy, contemporary muscle. Their vocals are as strong as Kentucky moonshine and the musicianship and performance skills are as sharp as a straight razor”.
Their eponymous first album — featuring the Norman Rockwell/Saturday Evening Post cover that introduced fans to PPL’s trademark cowpoke Sad Luke — has been hailed as a “major early influence in the emerging popularity of Country-Rock music”. Their second effort, the multi-platinum Bustin’ Out brought us the Craig Fuller-penned classic Amie, along with other gems of the genre. With Two Lane Highway, nine more albums and countless shows, a legacy has been forged and enriched during the ‘70s and 80’s, highlighting contributions from several noteworthy members, including original co-founder George Ed Powell, Cincinnati’s legendary Goshorn Brothers, Country Hall of Famers Gary Burr and Vince Gill, award-winning writer Jeff Wilson (3 Top-20 singles) and a host of other guest appearances from Chet Atkins, Johnny Gimble, Emmy Lou Harris, David Sanborn, Eagle Don Felder, Nicolette Larson, and many more.
Now in their fifth decade, Pure Prairie League continues to lead the way for the new generation of Country/Rockers such as Keith Urban, Nickel Creek, Wilco, Counting Crows and so many others that cite PPL as a major influence.
Tickets for the Pure Prairie League range from $32 to $47. Purchase tickets by visiting www.thenewtontheatre.com or contact the Box Office at 973-383-3700.