Temecula Live! Country Review is a must-see event this weekend
Get ready to enjoy some of the area's best country music artists when they perform at Old Town Temecula Community Theater.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Rick Simpson will perform at the Temecula Live! Country Review at 7 p.m. on Jan. 22. (Photo by Kerri S. Mabee)
The snappy twang of country music spills out into the streets of Old Town Temecula, filling the night with the sound of something festive as singers take the stage at the old Mercantile building.
One by one they rehearse their songs, preparing for one of the most anticipated country music shows of the year — the annual Temecula Live! Country Review.
Get ready to enjoy some of the area’s best country music artists when the show gets underway at 7 p.m. on Friday; and continues with a special matinee performance at 2 p.m. and then 7 p.m. on Saturday at the Old Town Temecula Community Theater, located at 42501 Main Street in Temecula.
The Grand Ol’ Opry-style event will include the performances of dozens of talented singers; area favorites The Ranch Rockers; some light comedic fun and even a Kenny Rogers lookalike, accompanied by a Dolly Parton beauty.
So, if you’re ready to escape this wet and wild week, what could be better? You’ll hear some great music, have a lot of laughs and get a front row seat to some real-life dreams coming true.
Murrieta resident Rick Simpson will be among the local talents to take the stage on Friday.
“When it comes to country music (in Temecula), there may be some reticence to put a toe in the water. Some may classify the sound as honky-tonk. But, this is not your dad’s country music. This is more like 70s music with a steel guitar. In all my years (performing here), I have never seen anyone come out (from a show) disappointed,” said Simpson, who performs regularly in the Country at the Merc series at 7 p.m. on Saturday nights.
Middle school student Kandace Veasey also earned herself a coveted spot on the Temecula Live! stage when she auditioned in October.
“I like Pop and Country (music). I’ve been singing ever since I could talk,” Kandace said.
Kandace Veasey waits for her turn at the mic with her father Don Veasey. (Photo by Kerri S. Mabee)
Citing singers Alicia Keyes and Celine Dion among her inspirations, Kandace said that when it comes to performing before a live audience she never feels nervous.
“I love it; it’s the best feeling (to be on stage),” she said.
Kandace’s father, Don Veasey, said he supports his daughter’s ambitions with regular voice and piano lessons.
“Her confidence is so strong. She knows she’s good. She has a natural gift,” he said.
This isn’t the last Southwest Riverside will see of this emerging talent. Kandace will be performing in the Inland Idol contest Jan. 30 at the Promenade Mall.
Another performer, Temecula resident Amanda Rose, said she has been singing since she was 16 years old.
“It’s hard to balance what I want to do with my dream and with (obligations to) my family. Hopefully, if I keep working hard, and if God wants me there, I will end up in Nashville,” said Rose, a stay-at-home mom and proud wife of a Marine stationed in Iraq.
Rose said her husband’s support has been the key to her career success so far.
“He is the most optimistic, positive, uplifting person. Sometimes I wonder if (singing) is worth all the hard work, but when I am not doing it, I hate it,” Rose said, preparing for her turn at the mic during rehearsal.
Rose takes the stage, wearing a USMC sweatshirt and jeans. She blows a kiss to her best little man, who watches his mother quietly from his stroller. Then, she belts out a tune like a true professional.
To catch Rose and all the other acts, tickets can be purchased at www.temeculalive.org. Proceeds from the event benefit Oak Grove Center for Education Treatment and the Arts — an organization located in Murrieta that supports at-risk children.
Kerri S. Mabee can be reached at ksmabee.swrnn@gmail.com with comments or questions. Follow me on Twitter at SWRNNaelife.
Tags: Amanda Rose, Kandace Veasey, Kerri S. Mabee, Oak Grove Center for Education Treatment and The Arts, Old Town Temecula Theater, Rick Simpson, SWRNN, Temecula Live! Country Review, The Ranch Rockers
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