Quick, tell Huey Lewis that someone called him major entertainment and he might follow us to each town.

Huey had to cancel a July show in Grand Rapids due to hearing loss so don’t count on him in Iowa.

If Maddie shows up, yes.

Had a glimmer of hope when I saw that Rick Springfield had booked a tour stop in Coralville for this summer, but unfortunately he’s playing there over the 4th of July.

Time for Maddie Poppe to get a main stage instead of the small town stages with her top 7 so far for American Idol.

Some of the band information has been posted:

https://ragbrai.com/routemaps/2018-host-communities/

Looks more like RAGBRAI staples than Major Bands (whatever your definition of that is) but there is nothing wrong with that. Lesser known acts that are on their way up or in the primes of their careers are often more fun to listen to than those whose luster has faded enough to make them willing to play RAGBRAI. But there are exceptions to that too, some tired, old acts are neither tired nor too old to rock ‘n roll!

Ames announced B2wins as the headliner (?)

The Spazmatics are also playing in Ames.

Oh FANTASTIC.

Oh FANTASTIC.

If you haven’t heard/heard of The Brazilian Twins you are in for a treat. Check them out on YouTube.

These two musicians were discovered by a public radio reporter, iirc, and that drew the attention of someone in Des Moines and they got a full scholarship to UNI for music. When they arrived they didn’t speak a word of English. Their father is a violin maker and made them practice their music with a strict hand.

This band rocks so hard you will want to be tied down lest you blow away.

These guys are pros, all of them, not a weak link in the band.

Here are the B2wins showing off their chops: https://youtu.be/li-aeTtJEv8

And their announcement video. https://youtu.be/dkmKVrNMLmc

Say hello to one of Iowa’s best kept secrets, unfortunately.

If these guys opened for a “major act” it would do what the Stray Cats did when they were opening for the Stones- cause everyone to fall asleep during the main show.

This reply was modified 2 weeks, 4 days ago by  Sunflower.

Dead & Company is wide open after they play here in Boulder July 13 & 14. Expect to see them in Ames and Iowa City. I wish.

I think that the towns have to spend even more money to bring in the “major” bands. It is already a huge undertaking and a costly endeavor to just have some of our favorite regional bands on stage, then you add more production and hirer artist costs and it starts to get out of control. I’m super happy with what has been announced so far. Love The Pork Tornadoes and B2wins. Excited to see Johnny Holm as well!