Roundup Independence Days Extravaganza (that’s RIDE for short) returns for its 15th annual celebration, July 4-7. The fun four-day event features concerts by The Georgia Satellites on Thursday; High Country Cowboys on Friday; and Lonestar on Saturday (all at 7 p.m.).
Events kick off Saturday, June 29, with a talent show at 6 p.m. Festivities resume on the Fourth with a 5K Run/Walk, a parade down Main Street at 11 a.m. and a rodeo at 2 p.m.
Another parade travels through town at 11 a.m. Friday, and the park hosts Kids’ Kountry with booths and food vendors from noon-5 p.m., followed by the evening concert.
The Top Shot Competition is 1-5 p.m. Saturday, followed by the evening concert. RIDE wraps up on Sunday with Cowboy Church, and the Buttons and Bows Youth Rodeo.
About the RIDE bands
Georgia Satellites, July 4: At a time when rock ’n roll didn’t care about its roots, the Georgia Satellites came crashing into the charts with a surprise hit single to remind everybody where the music had come from. “Keep Your Hands to Yourself,” released in 1986, rocked as hard as an old Chuck Berry song, and was almost as clever.
Rolling Stone Country describes the tune as “one of the simplest yet most quietly influential songs ever put to tape … The bar-band staple would … help return crunchy guitar chords to rock and, unexpectedly, influence a number of today’s country artists.”
Jason Larson opens.
The High Country Cowboys, July 5: Trio evokes the good old days of western music and singing Silver Screen cowboys like Roy Rogers, Gene Autry and the Sons of the Pioneers. Born and raised in Montana, the three brothers – John, Joe and Marty – were brought up in the heart of ranch country where the roads are all dirt, and the cows still outnumber humans. Since their launch in 2014, lead singer Marty has been named the Western Music Association’s Yodeler of the Year three times and earned the same title from the Pro Cowboy Country Artist Association. The PCCAA named them Music Group of the Year in 2017, the same year the WMA labeled their CD Best Traditional Album of the Year. Winners of the Talent Contest kick off the concert.
Lonestar, July 6: Acclaimed country hitmakers visit Roundup as part of their extensive North American concert tour dubbed “Hits and More Hits.” This year marks the 20th anniversary of the band’s triple-platinum Lonely Grill album, which featured four songs to hit #1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart: “Amazed,” “Smile,” “What About Now” and “Tell Her.” Lonestar will showcase much of the album during this concert, which they describe as “an intimate and memorable performance.”
Band members are Richie McDonald (lead vocals), Michael Britt (lead guitar and backing vocals), Keech Rainwater (drums) and Dean Sams (keyboards and backing vocals). Mike Morgan and Monty Sealey open the show.
RIDE wristbands are $5 for kids and $35 for adults and buy admission to all events except Thursday’s run and rodeo. New this year is free, self-contained RV parking near the City Park.