July Nite Crawl

By Roger Anderson 

Shame on you if you didn’t vote for Lancaster, MN girl Ashley Hewitt, may she become this season’s real winner on NBC’s “Nashville Star,” whether she reaches the finals or not, she has talent! . . . Don’t miss “R” rated “Wanted” in theatres now with Angelina Jolie . . . Bret Michaels new video rises to #4 after debuting at #18 on VH1’s Top 20 Countdown with his new June 3rd release, “Rock My World” . . . The St. Paul Saints are home July 1-6, 15-17 & 30-31 – great fun for some outdoor baseball . . . Just around the corner, Joe Cocker & The Steve Miller Band –Target Center July 3rd, 7:30pm show, tickets still available . . . The Taste of MN kicks off with highlights such as REO & Cosmos (former members of Boston) on Thurs., Joey Molland’s Badfinger & the Original Idols on the 4th, Finger Eleven, Seether & The Trashmen on Sat. & closes out with a triumphant return of Shannon Curfman, The Zombies & Eddie Money on Sun., let the Fireworks begin! . . . Dave Wagner & CROW back from his new Arizona sun residence graces three weeks worth of dates in the Midwest, with a kick off @ the MN Music Café, Friday the 4th (conveniently immediately following the Taste REO show) - www.thecrowband.com for more info & complete schedule listing . . . George Michaels July 7th @ Xcel Energy Center . . . Coldplay, July 8th @ the Xcel, first TC performance since 2005 . . . Roadtrip: July 9-13 Rocklahoma in Pryor, OK, the nation’s #1 hairball! . . . Woodstock vets, Crosby Stills Nash @ Orpheum Theatre Fri., July 11th . . . the party is on South of the River @ Prime Time’s Tent party in Burnsville, July 11-12, acts included are Arch Allies, Zed Leppelin, Scarlet Haze, Crash Anthem & more . . . Cities 97 Basilica Block Party July 11 & 12 feat. Ziggy Marley & OneRepublic on Friday and Gavin Rossdale & the Gin Blossoms on Saturday, -for more info and entertainment schedule go to www.basilicablockparty.org . . . Mon., July 14th Ringo Starr and His All Star Band feat. Billy Squier, Colin Hay, Edgar Winter, Gary Wright & more @ Mystic Lake Casino Hotel . . . Puddle of Mudd, July 16th at Mayo CC/Rochester . . . Blues Traveler is staged to headline the Aquatennial Block Party July 18th from 5-11pm. Also appearing –Tim Mahoney as well as the Fabulous Thunderbirds –nice package! . . . Strike Out Homelessness with the MN Twins vs. Texas Rangers in an all ages Friday, July 18th Metrodome Picnic Pavilion Pre-game Party from 4pm-7pm feat. Tim Mahoney. All proceeds will benefit People Serving People . . . Neil Diamond Sat., July 19 & 20 @ Xcel Energy Center . . . July 23rd – Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers w/very special guest, Steve Winwood @ Target Center . . . ex-Dead head members Phil Lesh and Mickey Hart & 60 acts in all to perform at this year’s 10,000 Lakes Festival @ Detroit Lakes Soo Pass Ranch July 23-26, this is a guaranteed cabbage smokerfest . . . With less hair than ever, but more talent than ever before, this former teen-age heartthrob matured with style -Peter Frampton Live, July 25th @ Mystic Lake Casino in Prior Lake, and yes he still plays his talk box hit! . . . 80’s rockers, SKID ROW @ GB Leighton’s w/special guests, former “American Rock Band” tour package, Crash Anthem & Scarlet Haze Fri., July 25th –great show, get there early! . . . From the other side of the pond, “Duffy” shakes it up on July 31st @ First Ave . . . Judas Priest w/Rob Halford @ Myth Sat., Aug. 2nd w/special guest Metal Church . . . NIN @ Target Center Aug. 2nd . . . Live Nation presents direct from the Windy City, Chaka Khan Aug. 5th @ Epic, downtown Mpls . . . Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift, Sugarland, Neal McCoy, Kenny Chesney, Billy Ray Cyrus, Little Big Town, LeAnn Rimes & Rascal Flatts @ this year’s WeFest.com in Detroit Lakes, Aug. 7-9, (800) 493-3378 . . . Scorpions @ Myth, Aug. 8th . . . Melissa Etheridge The Revival Tour 2008 –Aug. 9th @ O’Shaughnessy Auditorium in St. Paul . . . Sheryl Crow w/special guest, James Blunt @ Northrop on the 9th of Aug.  SC’s “Detours” in stores now . . . Ex-short-lived Viking / wrestling star, Brock Lesnar in an Ultimate Fighting Championship @ Target Ctr., Aug. 9th . . . former RV dumpers, Dave Matthews Band & the Black Crowes @ Alpine Valley Music Theatre in WI, Aug. 9-10 . . . Johnny Winter @ Cabooze Aug. 13th . . . Morris Day & the Time @ the Zoo Fri., Aug 15th . . . Kenny Loggins @ Grand Casino Hinckley Aug 15th . . . Sara Evans @ Jackpot Jct. in Morton Aug. 29th . . . MN State Fair presents 3 Doors Down, Hinder and Staind – Aug 21st; Backstreet Boys on Aug. 23rd; Miranda Lambert Aug. 25th; Paramore – a pleasant surprise on the 26th; Gnarls Barkley / Dierks Bentley on the 27th; the Black Crowes Aug. 30th; Toby Keith Sept. 1st . . . Maroon 5, Counting Crows & Sara Bareilles Tues., Aug. 26th @ Mystic Lake Casino – showtime 7pm, tix $95 & $145 . . . Tim McGraw Live celebrating the grand opening of the Island Event & Convention Center @ Treasure Island Aug. 30th, www.ticasino.com . . . Donna Disco Duck Summer @ Mystic Lake Casino Aug. 31st –shake your booty . . . the GOP/Republican Convention to be held in St. Paul, Sept. 1-4 . . . LeAnn Rimes scheduled for a private GOP show @ Trocaderos on 9/1 . . . TINA TURNER, Oct. 9th @ Target Center - www.tinaturnerlive.com . . . New “adult/old” Kids on the Block @ Xcel, Oct. 21st . . . Little River Band live @ the Medina Ent. Ctr. on Sept. 27th followed by Former Allman Bros standout guitarist, Dickey Betts & Great Southern Oct. 25th . . . CELINE, did I say CELINE @ Target Center Oct. 30th . . . gone swimming!