Country superstars Alabama to headline Ranch Jam in Bradenton

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Randy Owen, center, along with Jeff Cook, left, and Teddy Gentry of the band Alabama present at the CMT "Artists of the Year" show held at the Music City Center on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013, in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo by Wade Payne/Invision/AP)

Randy Owen, center, along with Jeff Cook, left, and Teddy Gentry of the band Alabama present at the CMT "Artists of the Year" show held at the Music City Center on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013, in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo by Wade Payne/Invision/AP)

The inaugural Ranch Jam has added a major headliner. Alabama, the bestselling group in country music history, will headline with a March 21 performance at the new festival taking place in East Bradenton. Alabama, which opened the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City last week, returned to touring in 2010 after about a six-year hiatus. In 2013, the album "Alabama and Friends" featured the band playing their greatest hits with the likes of contemporary country stars Jason Aldean ("Tennessee River"), Kenny Chesney ("Lady Down On Love") and Luke Bryan "Love In the First Degree.")

As previously reported, Ranch Jam will feature some fresh and familiar faces from the national and local scene, spanning several genres. Scheduled for March 20-22 at a site in East Bradenton across from Hunsader Farms, the acts will perform on a 50-foot stage flanked by 2 giant Jumbotrons.

In addition to Alabama, Ranch Jam's roster includes classic rock favorites such as The Guess Who, Rick Derringer (a Manatee resident) and Molly Hatchet, all performing on Sunday, March 22, along with the Backtrack Blues Band, the Jake Castro Band and AC/DC tribute band Highway to Hell, with celebrity impersonator Las Vegas Larry the Cable Guy emceeing.

There is a kickoff concert on the evening of Friday March 20 with Jeff Cook of country music superstar group Alabama and his Allstar Goodtime Band and surprise star guests.

Saturday starts off with the winner of a Battle of the Bands contest being held at various venues in the Tampa/Bradenton/Sarasota area, followed by the Kat Crosby Band, Restless Heart, Hotel California, Neal McCoy and a "superstar headliner to be announced February 26," reads the email issued by Ranch Jam concert promoter Emerging Artists.

Ranch Jam will also offer camping with showers, food and craft vendors, beer and wine, a VIP area with food, down front seating and air conditioned bathrooms. An Ultra ticket provides concert goers with an opportunity to meet a star at a special Meet ‘n Greet. With ample parking, a kid's zone, Born to Ride Village and a special Military attendees area, Ranch Jam is being advertised as a family friendly.

Ranch Jam 2015 will be held March 20-22 and the festival site is on County Road 675, between State Road 70 and State Road 64 across from Hunsader's Pumpkin Farm. Single day tickets are $45, children under 12 are free with an adult. Multi-day, VIP and camping passes available. Tickets can be purchased online atwww.ranchjam.net or by calling 941-567-9427.



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WADE TATANGELOhas been an entertainment editor, reporter, columnist and reviewer for more than a decade at publications nationwide. He is a Hershey, Pa., native who grew up in Tampa and graduated from the University of South Florida. Wade joined the Herald-Tribune in 2013 as entertainment reporter and writes the weekly Bar Tab column. He can be reached by email or call (941) 361-4955.
Last modified: March 2, 2015
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