Tumbleweed Festival Announces Jaw Dropping Outlaw Country Lineup for 2017
Not since maybe Willie Nelson’s Fourth of July Picnic in 2015 have we seen this beefy of an assemblage of true, hard-driving country music talent compiled in one place for the public’s listening edification, and this may even top that event. It’s called the Tumbleweed Festival, and with this lineup, they live up to the self-appointed title of “America’s Outlaw Country Music Festival.”
You’ve got Jamey Johnson, Cody Jinks, and Whitey Morgan, who just might be the 1, 1A, and 1B of authentic country music currently living and breathing at the moment. Then you have the essential ingredient of a true country legend in Billy Joe Shaver, and one that isn’t presented as a museum piece, but a guy that comes out swinging (literally!) when he puts on a live show. Then you have an essential selection from the Texas country scene with William Clark Green, Jason Eady, and Roger Creager, as well of three of the hottest up-and-coming names in true country at the moment, Paul Cauthen, Colter Wall, and Ward Davis. Round it out with Mickey Lamantia and Damien Gunn, and this lineup is so good it’s stupid.
It’s all set to go down at La Benite Park right on the Missouri River in Sugar Creek, MO, just outside of Kansas City on July 28th and 29th, 2017. Camping is available on site as well, and there will also be fishing, guided canoe river trips, and helicopter rides as part of the festivities.
“Tumbleweed creates an unbelievable escape from reality, where everyone is your best friendand relationships are established for life,” says Tumbleweed organizer Doug Bordegon. “The camping experience is like none other. Campers at Tumbleweed relax and party along the Missouri River in one of the most spectacular settings in the country. Attendees have coined the campgrounds ‘TentCity’ where thousands of attendees enjoy the best of country music, with campsites just feet away. There isn’t a better place to appreciate life with your friends and family; Tumbleweed is truly a spectacular experience.”
Plus there will be additional performers and up-and-coming talent for the lineup and the fest’s late night stage to be announced soon. “Tumbleweed has actively supported female country artists in the past and feels strongly about the importance of a balanced gender presence in all forms of art, including country music. We made many attempts to secure outstanding female musicians for Tumbleweed 2017 and can assure our fans that future artists announcements for this year’s festival will include highly respected female musicians.”
Seriously, if you can get to the Kansas City area in late July, don’t screw this up. Kids under 10 are free. Two-day passes start at a reasonable $69 and can be purchased at tumbleweedcountry.com.
Jim Bob
April 10, 2017 @ 6:39 pm
Holy shit! I’d heard about that one coming up, but hadn’t seen the lineup yet. Here I was stupidly thinking Westport Roots Festival would be the musical highlight of my year-2017 in Missouri’s looking absolutely fantastic!!
Trigger
April 10, 2017 @ 7:00 pm
Yeah, I don’t want to hear anyone in the Kansas City area complain about nobody ever coming to their town, at least for the next few years. 🙂 Kansas City is becoming the Austin of the Midwest all of a sudden.
Jim Bob
April 10, 2017 @ 7:35 pm
I’ll only bitch when Sturgill plays St. Louis, but not KC this year. And when the Old 97’s do the exact same thing. Other than that, I’ve zero complaints!! And I caught them both last year in KC, so won’t complain much
88onfire
April 10, 2017 @ 7:45 pm
Living in KC my whole life, I will say the amount of shows is astounding compared to even 5-6 years ago. I can’t begin to go to all the shows anymore. Texas Country and Red dirt has gained a real foothold in the the area even going so far as to having the mo State Fair host Randy Rogers Stoney LaRue and Jason Boland one night for a concert, although RRB didn’t get to play because of a lightning storm. I think we have a really healthy scene here and artists are taking note of it. I can go to the westport saloon We must be selling out shows for them to keep coming back, I’ll just take it and love it while I can
Jim Bob
April 10, 2017 @ 8:34 pm
Yeah, it’s weird how quickly things have improved. The Blue Note in Columbia had Turnpike Troubadours 2x (brought Mike & the Moonpies 2nd time), Cody Jinks, and Whitey Morgan last year. So, it’s not even strictly KC, just MO in general that’s improved (which is awesome cause Columbia’s way closer for me!). Couple years ago it’s whatever bad, flash in the pan rock band playing the blue note, but they’ve kicked that shit up a notch or twelve.
Trigger
April 11, 2017 @ 8:27 am
I went to Folk Alliance this year in Kansas City for the first time, and couldn’t have been more impressed with the city, the people. the food, all of it. And I think that attention for support of music on a local level you’re seeing from the community is allowing it to grow and become a destination spot.
Doug
April 12, 2017 @ 1:10 pm
Trigger, did you happen to catch Bob Woodruff at the Folk Alliance, by any chance?
David Macias
April 10, 2017 @ 7:04 pm
Hopefully they’ll add a female act for their late night stage. Angaleena, Sunny, Natalie Hemby? It’s an amazing line up but no women seems an oversight to be corrected.
Trigger
April 10, 2017 @ 7:20 pm
I agree. I spoke to the promoter Doug Bordegon earlier today about this very thing, and that’s where I got the quote above from him about the issue. He iterated to me his commitment and desire to feature female talent, and his frustration at not being able to line up a female artist yet. From my understanding they have some stuff in the works, and I feel confident that will be addressed when the rest of the names are announced.
Michael
April 12, 2017 @ 7:10 pm
Jamey Johnson is going to be there. It can’t be that hard to get Allison Krauss to come along with him.
Trigger
April 12, 2017 @ 8:15 pm
She’s been performing with him at most of his recent performances. But she’s promoting an album now, so it may be a little different.
Greg S
April 19, 2022 @ 8:34 am
Kaitlin Butts is fun. Morgan Wade would be awesome…
Brian B.
April 10, 2017 @ 8:34 pm
Great lineup…where is the great women of outlaw country, Sunny Sweeney, Margo Price, etc…
Brian B.
April 10, 2017 @ 8:39 pm
Sorry didn’t see davids comment when I posted.
Blackwater
April 10, 2017 @ 8:40 pm
Just saw whitey and ward here in KC a week and a half ago… To what appeared to be a sold out show at Knuckleheads. Great show and awesome crowd.
shastacatfish
April 10, 2017 @ 10:00 pm
Not a criticism here, but it seems a little odd to Roger Creager’s name in that group. When I lived in Texas (2002-2006) I saw him all the time but he seems to have flown under the radar the last few years. Of course, now I live in the sticks and have much less idea what is going on out there.
Gina
April 11, 2017 @ 12:49 am
I’m a native Missourian so It’s nice to see Kansas City and St. Louis become major touring cities again. They hit a little bit of a lull after I left home but now I actually go back and visit to see shows–and see my family of course:) This line-up is off the charts. Also, I’m just thinking. How ironic it is that I moved to Nashville from Austin almost a year ago, and I’ve seen more good shows this year in Austin, KC, and St. Louis. Hmmm.
Kyle N
April 11, 2017 @ 5:23 am
Looks like I’m making an 18 drive in July
Kyle N
April 11, 2017 @ 5:24 am
18 hours
Justin s
April 11, 2017 @ 7:33 am
Damn u make me look bad i wasn’t sure about making the 9 hour drive
Kyle N
April 11, 2017 @ 7:42 am
Worst part of living in Central New York (Mohawk valley, specifically), every good country event happens way the hell out of state.
SauceisBoss
April 11, 2017 @ 7:16 pm
Ha! Small world- left Utica for Phoenix sunshine (and the music scene is much better here)
Justin s
April 11, 2017 @ 8:08 am
always heard amazing things about Whitey’s live shows so I wasn’t sure he was gonna live up to the hype but went to see him a few weeks back with ward as the opener and they were both amazing. Really wanna go to this jinks and eady there some of my favorites
Doug
April 12, 2017 @ 11:38 am
Amazing!
RedDirtCyclone
April 12, 2017 @ 6:23 pm
I gues you could say that the price is….. nice.
Troy
June 19, 2017 @ 5:30 pm
Canadian playing a Canadian must attend