Main Stage

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 7:30 P.M.
Grand Funk Railroad presented by 103.5 The Fox

Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, "American Band" Grand Funk Railroad has garnered 13 gold and 10 platinum records from sales around the world, including eight Top 40 hits. Originating from Flint, Mich., this high-energy classic rock group features founding members Don Brewer and Mel Schacher, joined by veterans Max Carl (38 Special), Bruce Kulick (KISS), and Tim Cashion (Bob Seger). A signature hard-driving sound, soulful vocals, muscular instrumentation, and forceful pop melodies have made Grand Funk Railroad synonymous with tunes such as "We’re An American Band," "I’m Your Captain/Closer To Home," "Locomotion," and "Some Kind Of Wonderful."

In 2002, the band received its most recent gold award for the greatest hits package, "Grand Funk Railroad: The Collectors Series." EMI/Capitol Records released a new Grand Funk Railroad package, including a bonus DVD of rare concert footage, in 2006. "We’re An American Band" has received much notoriety in recent years and has been featured in several movies and radio advertising campaigns.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1:00 P.M.
Cherry Poppin' Daddies presented by 97.3 KBCO

The Cherry Poppin' Daddies came together 19 years ago when University of Oregon student musicians of opposing musical backgrounds began sharing a practice space. The result was the combination of a punk rock rhythm section with jazz-schooled horn players and keyboardists. Soon the new sound sold out local clubs in the area and drew comparisons to contemporaries like Fishbone, Faith No More, and Bad Brains. To this day, the group continues to distinguish themselves by incorporating big band swing into their diverse mix.

The group's breakout album, "Zoot Suit Riot," sold two million copies and left its audience wanting more. The Daddies' recruited notables Tony Visconti and the free jazz icon, the late Dewey Redmond (the sublime tenor solo from "The Saddest Thing I Know") for "Soul Caddy," which found them resuming their tradition of experimentation in the studio.

Now in its 19th year, the Cherry Poppin' Daddies is poised for its next chapter, starting with a brand-new record, the group's seventh. Like its predecessors, "Susquehanna" reveals facets of the group's diversity ranging from the familiar ("White Trash Toodle-oo") to areas where the musicians might have had to reach for their compasses. Select tunes also explore what the group sees as an important strand of pop music's future.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 7:30 P.M.
The Robert Cray Band presented by 97.3 KBCO

Internationally-admired as a stylist whose innovations have brought new life to the blues, singer-songwriter-guitarist Robert Cray has been engaging fans for more than 35 years. A five-time Grammy Award winner, Cray's indefinable sound is celebrated in his soon to be released album, "This Time," the first studio album on Cray's own imprint Nozzle Records, distributed by Vanguard Records.

According to Cray, his music is characterized by the influence of several genres, including rock, soul, jazz, blues, and a bit of gospel and Caribbean flavor, accompanied by sounds going back to his roots of listening to the radio in the '60s.

His debut Nozzle label release, "Live From Across the Pond," is an electrifying two-CD concert set drawn from a series of shows opening for Eric Clapton at London's Royal Albert Hall. When the time came to follow up that widely-praised collection with a studio recording, Cray viewed it as an opportunity to move his sound into a new territory. The refreshed lineup of Cray, Richard Cousins, Jim Pugh, and Tony Braunagel came together at Santa Barbara Sound Design to record what became "This Time." The collection includes fresh material contributed by all the band members, with Cray bringing in the title track, "Chicken in the Kitchen," as well as "I Can’t Fail" and "Trouble and Pain."

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1:00 P.M.
Poco presented by KOOL 105

Poco, the band that defined country rock in the '60s and '70s, was formed in 1968 by vocalist/guitarist Richie Furray and bassist Jim Messina following the dissolution of their previous group, Buffalo Springfield. The group's debut album, 1969's "Pickin' Up the Pieces," received a rare perfect rating from Rolling Stone magazine. "From the Inside" was released in 1971 with Southern soul guitarist Steve Cropper as producer and featured "Bad Weather," which became a signature song for the band. Poco's 1973 studio album, "Crazy Eyes," featured a heavily produced sound and yielded the hit title track written about fellow country-rock pioneer, the late Gram Parsons.

The group released "Head Over Heels" in 1975, generating the hit single, "Keep On Tryin'." A renewed Poco lineup saw the multi-platinum album, 1978's "Legend," with cover art by comedian/actor Phil Hartman. "Crazy Love" hit No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary charts, and the track, "Heart of the Night," was performed on the live album, "No Nukes," which also featured Bruce Springsteen and Jackson Browne.

In 1989, the original Poco quintet reformed and released the comeback single, "Call It Love," followed by the gold-selling album, "Legacy." The group continued to tour throughout the '90s and into the new millennium, with "Running Horse" released in 2002, the band's first appearance in the studio in 13 years. Poco continues to write and record original music while releasing live albums recorded at performances at festivals and venues across the world.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 7:30 P.M.
The Spinners presented by KOOL 105

Classic soul group The Spinners, best known for their hit, "The Rubberband Man," formed in Detroit as a "doo-wop" group in the 1950s by Bobbie Smith, Henry Fambrough, Billy Henderson, and Pervis Jackson. The Spinners first hit the charts in 1961 with "That’s What Girls Are Made For" from Tri-Phi Records. The label was soon acquired by Motown Records, with The Spinners making their debut at the Apollo Theater and winning instant acclaim. "I'll Always Love You" and "Truly Yours" were successful on the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts, respectively, but it wasn't until the summer of 1970, that the Stevie Wonder-penned, "It’s a Shame," gave the group their first taste of international fame.

In 1972, The Spinners signed with Atlantic Records (at the suggestion of Aretha Franklin) and teamed up with noted Philly soul producer Thom Bell to record their self-titled album, considered by many critics to be one of the most important soul albums ever released. With four Top 10 hits, including "I’ll Be Around," "Could It Be I’m Falling In Love," "One of a Kind (Love Affair)," and "Ghetto Child," the group helped develop the definitive sound of the ’70s that became known as "Philly soul." The Spinners' 1974 follow-up album, "Mighty Love," saw the group's first number-one hit, "Then Came You," a collaboration with Dionne Warwick and the Top 10 song, "Games People Play."

The Spinners completed their first collaboration with producer Michael Zager in 1979, and by the following year, the dance-influenced single, "Working My Way Back to You," had topped the Pop and R&B charts, giving the group its 12th gold record. A subsequent album, "Love Trippin'," featured the song, "Cupid," one of the fastest-selling records in the band's career.

The group has received six Grammy nominations over the course of its 40-year career, received The Rhythm & Blues Foundation’s Pioneer Award in 1997, and was inducted into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999. The Spinners also have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Today, the group maintains an active touring schedule performing for fans of all ages around the world.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1:00 P.M.
Love and Theft presented by 98.5 KYGO

Love and Theft, a young trio of Nashville singer/songwriters influenced by Contemporary Christian music, the Eagles, Johnny Cash, and the Beatles, have made their mark on the country music scene with the hit single, "Runaway." The band's debut CD, "World Wide Open," is scheduled to be released on Aug. 25, 2009, with Eric Gunderson, Stephen Barker Liles, and Brian Bandas each taking turns singing lead. With multi-platinum producers Jeff Coplan and Robert Ellis Orrall at the helm, the album, to be released by Disney-owned Carolwood Records, features material written in part or entirely by the band. The group made its Grand Ole Opry debut on March 28 of this year, after gaining popularity in part to being the opening act for country sensation Taylor Swift in 2008.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 5:30 P.M.
Foghat presented by 103.5 The Fox

British blues band Foghat has cultivated one of rock's longest careers, releasing its self-titled debut in 1972 and touring relentlessly for the next 14 years. The band's hard work has been rewarded with seven gold records; one platinum record, 1975's "Fool for the City;" and one double-platinum record, 1977's "Foghat Live." "Fool for the City" contained Foghat's trademark Top 40 hit song, "Slow Ride," and helped make the group a household name. They continued to hit the charts in the 1970s with blues/rock singles such as "Drivin' Wheel," "I Just Want to Make Love To You," "Stone Blue," "Third Time Lucky (The First Time I Was a Fool)," and "Somebody’s Been Sleeping In My Bed" - many of which are still classic rock radio staples.

The band evolved through several lineup changes, touring and releasing albums into the mid-nineties. The original Foghat reformed in 1994, with founding band members Lonesome Dave Peverett, Rod Price, Tony Stevens, and Roger Earl reuniting for the recording of "Return of the Boogie Men" and later, the live CD, "Road Cases." Peverett was diagnosed with cancer in 1998, yet continued to tour for nearly two years while undergoing chemotherapy. When he passed away in early 2000, the band faced the decision to continue making music as Foghat or disband. Ultimately, the group's decision to forge ahead with former Ted Nugent and Humble Pie vocalist, Charlie Huhn, resulted in Foghat's most well-received album in years, 2003's "Family Joules."

In 2004, the band released "The Official Bootleg DVD, Volume #1," followed in 2007 by a new double-CD, "Live II," to commemorate the 30th anniversary of their original live, best-selling album. Foghat's classic tunes continue to be a mainstay in pop culture, featured in national advertising campaigns, on movie soundtracks, in video games, and on TV shows.