For fans of mainstream country music, Country Thunder is a required pilgrimage–the genre’s Lollapalooza, if you will. Just across the Illinois border in Twin Lakes, Wis., you’ll find 60 hours of banjo, fiddle, mandolin, steel guitar and twangin’ vocals.
But a merlot-and-brie picnic at Ravinia it isn’t. This is a long, loud and enormous festival, which means you get to see arena-worthy artists who’ve left behind their rehearsed stage shows in favor of a looser, more improvised kind of country. Be advised that the music leans to the pop side; if you’re looking for the insurgent sounds of outlaws and their rebel anthems, or old-school sounds, you won’t get it here.
Entry-level fans will find it easy to sample all kinds of everyday country music, with offerings ranging from the amped-up soundtrack of Big & Rich’s “countryvangelist” show to the gentler sounds of Thunder debutante Carrie Underwood.
Another up-and-comer, Miranda Lambert, has her own reasons for coming to Twin Lakes.
“I love doing Country Thunder because it gives me a chance to catch up with my friends and fellow artists on the road,” Lambert said. “I always love watching their shows, and it’s rare that I get a chance to do that.”
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For the been-there-done-that fans, the festival puts Nashville’s newest stars out on display. Keith Anderson, whose current single, “Every Time I Hear Your Name,” is holding steady on country’s Top 10 charts, will likely charm audiences with his strong singing voice and playful lyrics. Little Big Town, the vocal quartet behind the soulful harmonies of the 2005 smash “Boondocks” about muddy water, fishing poles and gravel roads, is bound to feel right at home in this tiny Wisconsin town.
Known quantities such as Gretchen Wilson and Trace Adkins will be there, too, and both should be mandatory shows. Neither one has reached arena-headlining status yet, but both have the honky-tonk smarts to come to a festival like this with an arsenal full of power ballads, drinkin’ tunes and a little political grandstanding.
The biggest draw of Country Thunder has to be Brad Paisley. He’s sold more than six million albums, and his current album “Time Well Wasted” (Arista) debuted at No. 1. What sets Paisley apart from his fellow country kin is his confident voice, lightening-fast guitar picking and a dry sense of humor.
Keith Urban’s show on Wednesday night will be jammed as well. He’s earned rock-star status for good reason: He lives to perform. And whether than means electrifying the audience with a five-minute guitar solo or singing a break-up song through his tears, he’s good for a full range of county-rock hits that have made him an American icon (despite his Australian upbringing).
Other sure things include piano man Phil Vassar, and LeAnn Rimes, known for belting out her hits with all the strength and depth of Patsy Cline. Travis Tritt, Randy Travis and John Michael Montgomery are harder to predict live. Without much radio time in the last year, it’s harder to know if they’ll rely on older hits or try to showcase songs off upcoming albums.
Regardless of who’s on stage, though, the spontaneity of this festival keeps the mood light. Unlike a maximum-security venue, the artists seem more accessible for autographs and meet-and-greets. And you never know what stars such as Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry will do. Last year, they went out into the crowd in disguise before their set asking people if they were Montgomery Gentry fans.
And celeb-watchers this year will undoubtedly be on the lookout for the famed spouses of Paisley, Urban and Trisha Yearwood (Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Nicole Kidman and Garth Brooks, respectively.)
John Howell, US99’s morning show personality, says that “Country Thunder’s a chance to bond with thousands of others who love country music, camping and questionable hygiene.” He adds: Bring sunscreen and don’t wear your good shoes.
Because as you’d expect with any festival packed with the big stars, there are crowds. Twin Lakes is only about 70 miles from downtown Chicago, and festival officials estimate 150,000 fans this year, similar to last summer’s event. Expect traffic congestion.
One way to avoid traffic jams is to camp out. About 15,000 people will make a temporary home on the Shadow Hill grounds. The show goes on rain or shine, so pack a rain poncho.
Thursday headliners Big & Rich say festivals like Country Thunder are always a good time, citing a welcoming attitude and adding that “Chi-town’s one heck of a place.”
Country Thunder
When: Wednesday through July 22 (main stage shows start at 11:30 a.m.)
Where: Shadow Hill Ranch, Lance Drive & Highway P, Twin Lakes, Wis.
Price: $29-$500; 262-279-6960 or www.countrythunder.com
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