Country Thunders Into Florence, AZ

Take one four-day weekend, add 35,000+ country music fans, stir in 30 performers, including some of the biggest names in country music like Lorrie Morgan, Jo Dee Messina, Trace Adkins, Tanya Tucker, Blake Shelton, Randy Owen, Reba McEntire, Steve Holy, Gretchen Wilson, Big & Rich, Trick Pony, Phil Vassar, Neal McCoy, and Montgomery Gentry and you have Country Thunder! The yearly "BIG EVENT" ran Thursday, April 12 through Sunday, April 15 at Canyon Moon Ranch in Florence, Arizona. Four levels of tickets, general admission, reserved lawn seats, reserved seating, and the VIP section, are available to those interested in attending the annual event. This year's lineup began on a very windy Thursday at 3:00 p.m. with Cowboy Crush, an all-female country group. Chris Young took the stage at 4:15, followed by Jamie Lee Thurston at 5:30, and Lorrie Morgan, daughter of the legendary George Morgan, at 7:00 p.m. Lorrie belted out many of her well-known songs including "What Part of No." Jo Dee Messina, scheduled for an 8:30 performance, arrived on stage despite pouring rain to the delight of those in attendance. Another country superstar, Trace Adkins refused to let rain dampen his spirits as the big singer performed for soaked onlookers. Friday, April 13 saw warmer weather and a lineup that included the 10-member Villebillies from Louisville, Kentucky at noon, Western Underground, a backup band for country singer Chris LeDoux, at 1:25 p.m., Texas-based Rio Grand at 2:30, Heartland, whose "I Loved Her First" song hit number one in 2006, and 2nd Shift, a group of SRP co-workers, played at 5:00 pm. At 6:00 p.m. Tanya Tucker appeared before a captive audience and came back after a standing ovation with her top hit "Delta Dawn." Blake Shelton entertained country fans at 7:30 followed by Randy Owen at 9 pm, and concluding with Grammy winner Reba McEntire. Saturday's lineup began at noon with 32 Below, followed by the ever-popular KNOX morning show hosts Tim & Willy, with the Povertyneck Hillbillies at 3:25, Harry Luge at 4:30, Steve Holy (think chart topper "Brand New Girlfriend"), Cross Canadian Ragweed at 7 p.m., Gretchen Wilson ("Redneck Woman") at 8:30 and Big & Rich (Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy) at 10:30. The weekend concluded with another windy day when Chasin' Mason started the fun at noon. Gary Nichols hit the stage at 1:00 p.m., with musical comedy duo Williams and Ree at 2:15, Trick Pony and new lead singer Aubrey Collins at 3:45, Phil Vassar at 5:00, the fun-loving, climbing Neal McCoy at 6:30 and Montgomery Gentry at 8:30. Various booths and activities lined the field behind the stage and entertained visitors between acts. VIP ticket holders were treated to lunch and dinner each day, in addition to seating close to the stage. As Country Thunder USA (Arizona, Texas and Wisconsin) drew to a close, it was apparent that country music fans and country music artists alike enjoyed all that the event had to offer everyone. Sunny weather, good people and energetic musical talent were evident on the final day. If you'd like more information on how to obtain tickets to next year's event, visit countrythunder.com. It'll be worth the wait!