72°F2:05 PM After 78,753 ventured to Churchill Downs for the first Hullabalou Music Festival inspite of soaring temperatures, many are asking, "Will there be another?"
Churchill Downs Entertainment Group President Steve Sexton answered today in the affirmative.
"The answer to that question is a resounding yes!" said Sexton.
According to Churchill officials, the event drew fans from 47 states and Canada to hear 66 artists, including headliners Bon Jovi, Kenny Chesney, and the Dave Matthews Band.
Dwight Yoakam followed Loretta Lynn on the Fleur de Lis stage of HullabaLOU Sunday evening, making for a pretty powerful classic country duo. With his trademark cowboy hat pulled low over his eyes and skintight blue jeans, Dwight still swivels hips with the best of them and he has one of the best backing bands around: lead guitarist Eddie Perez (formerly of The Mavericks), pedal steel player Josh Grange, barefoot drummer Mitch Marine, and long-time bass player and backup vocalist, Jonathan Clark.
Resplendent in a bright red cowgirl suit heavy with fringe, the bouffant-haired Loretta Lynn swept on to the stage like the Queen of Country Music that she is, unwilted by the heat and endearingly thankful to the crowd who gathered to hear her on the dusty, infield ground of the Fleur de Lis Stage. Lynn is a charmer who chats with the crowd between songs as if you were all gathered on her front porch for a glass of lemonade. Well into her 70s, she's still sharp as a tack, up to giving her band members a good ribbing, and playing to her fans.
Two time platinum recording artist, Musiq Soulchild is scheduled to play today here just shortly at HullabaLOU in the down's infield. I've been digging this guy for years, and picking up everything that he puts out over the last ten years. Originally from Philadelphia, Musiq left high school and home at the age of seventeen to pursue his love for singing. With the release of his fifth album in 2008, Musiq is once again touring, and out on the circuit.
Ladies and gentlemen, when you come out for the music you're going to broil. I've spent hours on the infield and I'm here to tell you the three best places to sneak in a little free air conditioning.
1) Best Buy Trailer
You can find it near the Budweiser stage on the infield. In addition to the coldest air conditioning, they also offer a free cellphone charging station.
2) Smoking Lounge
Yes, you can smoke outdoors for free, or you can smoke indoors in the blessed air while sitting on a comfy couch.
Performing on Friday of the 3-day HullabaLOU Festival, the Doobie Brothers bring their California roots to Kentucky to take part in the inaugural music celebration at Churchill Downs.
According to their official website, the band describes themselves as “a quintessentially American rock-n-roll band who have combined elements of rock, blues, soul, country, jazz and more into one of the most appealing blends of popular music of the last half-century.”
The legendary Dave Matthews Band (DMB) will be performing Sunday June 25, 2010 at HullabaLOU in Louisville, KY. DMB was formed by the band's namesake in 1991 in Charlottesville, Virginia. All the musicians in the band come from differing genres including jazz, classical, soul, rock, bluegrass, and hip-hop. This fact makes an eclectic sound which earned DMB fans from all genres.