Plenty of great music ready for Rendezvous

by Jennie Oemig

With hopes of resurrecting a tradition that has been lost over the years of Rendezvous, the Sublette County Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Center and Rock Rabbit will be co-hosting a block party on July 12.

“I think it will be phenomenal,” Rock Rabbit owner Dan Abernathy said of the four-hour event.

In addition to local musicians like John Fogerty, Terry Hill and Steve Laster, Texas based group The Lonesome Heroes and Colorado native Jason Eklund, will be taking the stage during the event.

Fogerty said that because he knew Eklund and a band member of The Lonesome Heroes, he suggested bringing them in for Rendezvous. “It was mostly [Chamber executive director Terrie Swift’s] decision, but it was also convenient that they were available,” he said.

And Abernathy said he couldn’t be happier about the fact that there will be plenty of live entertainment for people to enjoy. “Variety is the spice of life,” Abernathy said of having bands come in from out of state. “Bringing in new music is a must.” And that new music is what Fogerty said the musicians refer to as psychedelic country. “It’s going to be great,” Abernathy said. “People will love it … it’ll give them a little taste of an outdoor concert.”

But these bands are no stranger to Wyoming, or Sublette County for that matter, Swift noted. “Luckily for us, all of these musicians have spent time in Sublette County,” she said. “The Lonesome Heroes have even written a song about Pinedale called ‘P-town.’”

Throughout Rendezvous weekend, Abernathy said he plans on having live music at the coffee shop as well.

“We’re also going to play an open jam in the afternoon on Friday [at Rock Rabbit],” Fogerty said, adding that he and Hill are also planning a gig at Stockman’s.

In years past, Swift and Fogerty both recalled how there were more things going on downtown during Rendezvous, including live music.

“That kind of died out and we’re trying to bring that back,” Fogerty said. “ … I think it’s just going to be a great time. I hope a lot of folks come out to hear some different music.”

With rodeos, the Museum of the Mountain Man events, the street fair and all the other activities, Swift said the block party will likely only make Rendezvous weekend that much better.

“I think that this show is going to be very complementary to the spirit of Rendezvous,” she said.

Once the festivities at the block party conclude, those who want to continue the party will be able to listen to The Lonesome Heroes at Bottoms Up Brewery on Saturday evening. The band will also be performing at Bottoms Up on Friday night.

“I think that what is important is that there is a variety of activities for all age groups,” Swift said. “Live music and many venues to choose from is always a good thing for Rendezvous.”

While this is the first year the block party has been offered in quite some time, Abernathy said he would “most definitely” like to see it become an annual event during Rendezvous Days. And Swift is in agreement.

“I would like to see this event become bigger and bigger every year,” she said. “Our community has always supported the local musicians and it will be fun to grow on that over the coming years.”

The block party will start at 6 p.m. on Saturday on North Tyler Avenue between Rock Rabbit and the Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Center.