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| English: Pure Prairie League at an outdoor performance in Longmont, Colo., on 23 July 2010. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
First, the common outdoor activities associated with many mountain towns (hiking,
biking, tennis, golf) are readily available in Aspen and neighboring Snowmass, and then of course, the area hosts well-known, events
like the Aspen Food and Wine Classic, the Aspen Environment Forum, the Aspen Ideas
Festival, Aspen Security Forum, and more recently, the USA Pro Cycling
Challenge.
While these events and activities are fun and entertaining,
I’ve been intrigued by some of the lesser-known or more than
once-a-summer opportunities as well.
Up to the third week of July, I’d already gone to Aspen Center for Physics events, Aspen Music Festival concerts, and I had even participated in my own Aspen Astronomy activities. Oh, and I managed to get a little gardening
and social dancing in as well.
Last Thursday night I finally took the opportunity to catch one
of the 2012 Snowmass Free Thursday Night Concert Series events – renowned American country-rock
band, Pure Prairie League was
playing!
Snowmass / Aspen Music – Pure Prairie League Rocks the Snowmass Free Thursday Night Concert Series
We finally made it! Due to extenuating circumstances (work),
we arrived at the concert a little bit late, but were rewarded not only by thankfully missing the main event traffic, but also by being able to watch and
listen to the band from a private vantage point, just outside of some slopeside
condos. Our spot was secluded but just a
short walk through the trees to join the other outdoor music fans taking in the
show from the hill. The Skittles Gondola running in the background also
provided a nice touch.
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| Snowmass Summer Concert 7/26/12 - Pure Prairie League (Photo credit: richpalpine) |
Although their lineup has changed over time, the band, who
can count Vince Gill as well as several other notable musicians as onetime
members, showcased their classic tight vocal harmonies and great guitar work by original pedal steel guitarist, John David Call. Bassist and
vocalist Mike Reilly, guitarist Donnie Lee, and new drummer, Scott Thompson, rounded
out the current lineup.
The lively, but relaxed crowd bounced and swayed to the music, mostly classics from Pure Prairie League’s heyday, such as “Two Lane Highway”, “I’m Almost Ready”, and of course, “Aimie”. The band invited the crowd to join in on “Aimie”, and the energetic throng, the “largest of the season so far”, eagerly complied. We bopped to the music in our chairs and sang along from above.
The lively, but relaxed crowd bounced and swayed to the music, mostly classics from Pure Prairie League’s heyday, such as “Two Lane Highway”, “I’m Almost Ready”, and of course, “Aimie”. The band invited the crowd to join in on “Aimie”, and the energetic throng, the “largest of the season so far”, eagerly complied. We bopped to the music in our chairs and sang along from above.
After the encore, I took a few more photos of the scene,
while Lee and Thompson took some pics of the crowd still lingering on the main hill.
I can now check one more great Snowmass / Aspen activity off
of my summer bucket list - live music on the hill. Now, back to
the Aspen Music Festival (and my gardening)!
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