Delano Herald Journal

Serving the communities of Delano, Loretto, Montrose, MN, and the surrounding area

Winstock artists do well at Country Music Awards



Winstock performers did well at the Country Music Awards
Wednesday, including several artists lined up for next summer’s 10th anniversary
bash.

Hot country acts who are signed for the anniversary festival
June 13-14 include Brad Paisley, Sara Evans, and Trick Pony.

Paisley was a big nominee at Wednesday’s Country Music
Association awards ­ winning the music video of the year for “I’m
Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin’ Song),” and was nominated for single of
the year, and song of the year for the same song, as well as nominated for
male vocalist of the year, which he lost out to Alan Jackson.

It seemed to be Jackson’s night, with him taking five of
the seven categories he was nominated for ­ thanks in large part
to his song “Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)?.”

Paisley has had notable success with songs like “Who
Needs Pictures,” “We Danced,” and “He Didn’t Have To
Be.” He was also selected to be a member of the Grand Ole Opry, one
of the highest honors in Nashville.

Missouri native Evans was also nominated for a prestigious
award ­ female vocalist of the year, which she lost to past Winstock
performer Martina McBride.

Evans has been on the country scene since 1997, and has
had numerous awards and nominations. Some of her hit songs include “No
Place That Far,” “Born To Fly,” and “I Could Not Ask
For More.”

Trick Pony features one of Minnesota’s own ­ St.
Paul native Ira Dean is the bass player. Teaming up with Dean is stunning
vocalist Heidi Newfield and country traditionalist Keith Burns.

Together, the trio has taken the country world by storm,
bringing a unique look to the business, but in the same sense keeping their
music “traditional country,” instead of drifting over to the “pop
country” sound like so many artists of today have.

The group has had success right off the bat ­ its
first single “Pour Me,” introduced them to the world, and most
recently the band has “On a Mission” making its way up the charts.

Also joining these artists onstage throughout Winstock
weekend will be California son Gary Allan.

He has been in the business since the late ’90s, but his
career hit a lull when his record label closed.

Now, he is coming back with a new album and single, both
called “Alright Guy.”

Country legends Loretta Lynn and Ronnie Milsap will also
be taking the stage at different times throughout the weekend.

Look for Lynn to perform all of her favorites, including
“Coal Miner’s Daughter,” “Honky Tonk Girl,” and “You
Ain’t Woman Enough to Take My Man.”

There is also the possibility of her twin daughters ­ Peggy
and Patsy ­ joining her for part of her show, as they did for her
performance at Grand Casino Hinckley this fall.

Milsap is a North Carolina native who has been around for
several decades, producing hits like “All is Fair in Love and War,”
and “What a Difference You’ve Made in My Life.”

More acts are still in the process of being signed, and
according to festival chairman Dave Danielson, the process of getting acts
to commit is ahead of schedule.

“We want the 10-year to be the best,” Danielson
said. “We have a real strong line-up so far.”

People should also be aware of the date change that the
Winstock committee had to make due to Fan Fair in Nashville changing its
dates.

“It was unfortunate that we had to change the dates
because Nashville changed theirs,” he said, “and we want to apologize
for any inconvenience, but we knew if we wanted any acts, we had to do something.”

Tickets to Winstock ’03 are on sale now online at www.winstockfestival.com.

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