I never thought I’d say these words, ever, but I sure wish I was going to Iowa at the end of the month. Dwight Yoakam, whose new album is the first rate Second Hand Heart, is headlining and Matt Whipkey, whose Underwater is its equal, is opening at The Surf Ballroom. It is a great and natural match, Dwight is to country what Matt is to rock: they are great songwriters, classic songwriters, energetic, melodic and spot on. I would kill to check that out and not least because Dwight is coming nowhere near us (unless you consider Georgia close by) and while Matt promises a visit later this year, the question is exactly when is later this year.
I would go for this show!!!
MATT WHIPKEY special guest to Dwight Yoakam
FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015
THE SURF BALLROOM | Doors 8 p.m.
460 North Shore Dr, Clear Lake, Iowa 50428
Tickets $35 in advance; $40 at-the-door
Applicable fees may apply
Purchase online at Surfballroom.com, via phone at (641) 357-6151 or in person.
It’s hard to pin down Matt Whipkey. As a songwriter, his lyrics and musical beds translate across several musical genres, weaving their widespread thread throughout Americana, rock and roots. It’s a perfect fit then, that Whipkey and his band will be special guests to a “Renaissance Man” Dwight Yoakam on the historic Surf Ballroom stage.
“Dwight Yoakam is rock and roll. We have had the pleasure of opening for many great musicians over the years, but none reaching quite the artistic peak that Dwight is throughout ‘Second Hand Heart,’” Whipkey said. “Yoakam is recording music as relevant and urgent today as the records he first released.
“The Surf ballroom has always held a spiritual place in the collective heart of rock and roll. The opportunity to perform there is humbling and beyond an honor. ”
Critics have applauded the live stage performance of rock singer-songwriter Whipkey as “the ultimate stage performer, not satisfied if even one crowd member isn’t ‘into it.’” With Omaha Arts & Entertainment Awards for artist and album of the year in 2013 for the highly regarded double-album “Penny Park: Omaha, NE: Summer 1989,” Whipkey’s strong lyrical command and virtuoso guitar work is equally mesmerizing. He’s currently touring his much- anticipated follow up “Underwater”, a collection Rock NYC raved as a, “Purists dream of electrified awesomeness.”
Dwight Yoakam’s latest release for Warner Music, “Second Hand Heart”, recently debuted at number 2 on the Billboard Top Country Album chart.
