The first day of the festival drew fans from across the country to Santa Rosa, including Ohio honeymooners who came to see Friday’s headliner.
Under clear skies, as the temperature hit 91 degrees, the annual Country Summer Music Festival opened Friday to some 9,000 fans, with cowboy hats and boots part of the uniform of the day, as always.
For one couple, it was a very personal special occasion. Two fans came a long way to see Friday’s headliner, country music star Sam Hunt.
Honeymooning newlyweds Jacob Shaw, 26, and Marissa Shaw, 28, from Beavercreek, Ohio, who got married June 14, each have been following Hunt’s career for years.
The couple reached out to The Press Democrat and Amy Tesconi at the Country Summer Music Festival for a chance to meet Hunt in person.
“I know it’s a long shot,” Jacob Shaw said by email last Monday.
Shaw, a fifth grade teacher, said he and his bride had their favorite Hunt hit, “Country House,” played at their wedding.
Friday’s show at the festival marked the sixth concert by Hunt that they’ve seen together, including his Thursday night show in Redding. They saw Hunt in four concerts last year.
Not long before the singer’s set began, the couple got to go backstage to talk with Hunt. It was their first meeting with their favorite singer.
“He was so sweet and so excited,” Marissa Shaw said.
When the newlyweds told Hunt they plan to attend his show in Kentucky in August, he asked for their contact information.
“We’re gonna make this a regular thing,” Marissa added.
When Hunt went onstage, he completed the couple’s wish fulfillment by singing his current single, “Country House,” their favorite.
The Shaws admire Hunt for both his singing and his storytelling, and they had company from his other fans at the festival Friday night.
“I know it’s controversial for some people, but I like how he talks between songs,” said Redmond Miller, 14, of San Francisco.
Hunt stuck to that pattern Friday night, reminiscing onstage at one point about the early days of his career.
The first day of the festival drew fans of all ages, including plenty of younger attendees. Among them were Lili Lieto, 17, and Roisin O’Herlihy, 16, both from Healdsburg.
Lieto describe herself as “kind of” a country music fan. “I’m just here for the experience, although I do enjoy it,” she said.
Bands played on two platforms: The Chevrolet Silverado Main Stage for national acts and the Redwood Credit Union Community Stage, which features some local and regional acts.
Sonoma County party band Dry Creek Station kicked off the live music on the Community Stage for the afternoon, playing a mix of rock and country songs, including the Johnny Cash classic, “Folsom Prison Blues.” Clay Street Unit and Atlanta, Georgia, native Lily Rose followed.
The main stage program began with Nashville rock ‘n’ roll country band Lanco, followed by Gabby Barrett and ultimately, the star of the day, Sam Hunt.
“Country music is special, because it tells a story. Country music lets you know you’re not alone,” Lanco lead singer Brandon Lancaster told the crowd from the stage, while introducing “Greatest Love Story.”
Singer Gabby Barrett sang a duet with her husband, Cade Foehner, on “Jackson,” made famous by Johnny Cash and June Carter. Foerher sang one of his own songs, “Buckaroo,” a salute to traditional cowboy songs.
There was plenty to eat and drink at the event. Food vendors sold cotton candy, ice cream, tacos, pizza, chicken kebabs, teriyaki chicken, hot dogs, burgers, rice bowls, and even grilled cheese sandwiches, among other outdoor festival favorites.
Drink choices included soft drinks, beer, wine and Jack Daniels. (“It’s not scotch. It’s not bourbon. It’s Jack,” the sign read.)
The acts scheduled for the rest of the weekend are:
Saturday – Kane Brown headlining, with Mitchell Tenpenny, Eli Young Band, Canaan Smith, MacKenzie Carpenter, Jerrod Niemann, Adrien Nunez, Lauren Watkins, Clayton Mullen and Township.
Sunday – Dustin Lynch headlining on June 29, with Ian Munsick, Hailey Whitters, Elvie Shane, Travis Denning, Avery Anna, Annie Bosko and The Kruse Brothers.
Festival officials predicted a total attendance for the weekend of 27,000. Roughly the same number that attended last year, drawing fans from 34 states and four countries.
You can reach Staff Writer Dan Taylor at dan.taylor@pressdemocrat.com or 707-521-5243. On X @danarts.
