Turnpike Troubadours, Steel Woods Get Big Opportunity on Miranda Lambert’s Bandwagon Tour
You may not be into attending big arena shows, but it’s hard to not be happy for the big opportunity being bestowed to the Turnpike Troubadours, Southern rock revivalists The Steel Woods, high caliber songwriter Natalie Hemby, and Canadian up-and-comer Tenille Townes who have all been tapped as openers on Miranda Lambert’s “Bandwagon Tour” coming up with Little Big Town.
This is actually the second time Miranda Lambert will be sharing the stage with Turnpike and the Steel Woods, but the inclusion of Little Big Town on the tour means bigger venues, and bigger crowds. Some in the Texas music scene are a little torqued they’re being asked big ticket prices to see their favorite band, but don’t worry, the Turnpike Troubadours will be touring through your area again soon enough. Don’t be greedy, Little Big Town fans probably need and deserve a dose of good, true country music more than you.
It’s also a big opportunity for The Steel Woods, who’ve gone nothing but up since releasing their debut album in 2017. Natalie Hemby’s Puxico record was also stellar, and people have been paying attention, allowing Hemby to step into the spotlight more after penning many great songs for major country artists over the last number of years.
These live shows may not be right for everyone, but they’re the right opportunity for openers who deserve some recognition, and won’t be receiving it from mainstream radio anytime soon. Hopefully in the coming years some of these openers can be playing sold out arena shows of their own. Until then, it’s onward and upward.
The Bandwagon Tour Dates:
7/12/18 Charlotte, NC PNC Music Pavilion***
7/13/18 Cincinnati, OH Riverbend Music Center***
7/14/18 Indianapolis, IN Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center***
7/20/18 Hartford, CT XFINITY Theatre *
7/21/18 Mansfield, MA XFINITY Center *
8/2/18 Orange Beach, AL The Wharf at Orange Beach *
8/3/18 Tampa, FL MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre *
8/4/18 West Palm Beach, FL Coral Sky Amphitheatre *
8/10/18 Houston, TX Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion **
8/11/18 Dallas, TX Starplex Pavilion **
8/16/18 Darien Center NY Darien Lake Amphitheater *
8/17/18 Pittsburgh, PA KeyBank Pavilion *
8/18/18 Philadelphia, PA BB&T Pavilion *
8/23/18 Toronto, ON Budweiser Stage *
8/24/18 Clarkston, MI DTE Energy Music Theatre *
8/25/18 Chicago, IL Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
*(denotes Turnpike Troubadours select dates)
**(denotes The Steel Woods select dates)
***(denotes Natalie Hemby select dates)
Tenille Townes joins for all dates
March 16, 2018 @ 8:05 am
I know its a huge opportunity for Turnpike and the Steel Woods, But I cant bring my self to have to endure Little Big Town. I’m just not sure the types of people who would enjoy Turnpike and the Steel Woods are the same ones who would enjoy Little Big Town. Seems like an odd combination to me. On the other hand, I’m liking Miranda more and more for what she is doing for the music I love.
March 16, 2018 @ 10:13 am
That’s not the question.
The question is whether people who like “Boondocks” will hear “Long Hot Summer Day” and say “Who ARE these guys?!”
And, of course, anyone with ears is going to love Every Girl, haha.
March 16, 2018 @ 7:59 pm
That’s not the question either. There is no question—it’s just music. Turnpike gets to play their music and it’ll go over the same way. People will enjoy it or they won’t. Being a former participant in this scene, I don’t understand many of the so called “fans’” reactions to groups trying to be successful. If you opened a business, would you be selective as to the folks that wanted to buy your product? Do you think Miranda or LBT’s fans are arguing about the opener? Moreover, it’s not like they are playing at a venue in your town and prohibiting you from entering. It’s the same damn music, played by the same folks. Chill the hell out ppl.
March 16, 2018 @ 8:50 am
I’d rather see Miranda and the rest at a smaller venue without Little Big Town, but if that’s what it takes to get the Turnpike Troubadours to play here in Michigan, I’ll take it. A lot of really great artists in country music don’t make it to Michigan more than once every couple of years. Some don’t come here at all, because it’s just not economically feasible for them. There are a lot of real country music fans here that do not get exposed to great new artists because there’s no independent country radio station, or even a country radio show, that exposes people here to quality country acts.
March 16, 2018 @ 10:42 am
I feel your pain!! I wish more country artists would give the Mitten a chance! Country shows always sell out here. When Cody Jinks came to GR it was impossible to find tickets because demand was so high.
March 16, 2018 @ 11:25 am
Hear ya Dobe . Vancouver BC , for all of its population and music ‘ history’ is really just a vast music wasteland in many ways . Sure we get the American mega-pop wanna – be-country-stuff at the hockey arena . But I can’t remember the last time we got , say a Bluegrass act , through town
March 16, 2018 @ 9:07 am
TPT never headline my area unfortunately (by a pretty wide radius), so I was thankful for the hippie tour I got to see them at a few months ago. I’d say I was fortunate to have John Pardi instead of Little Big Town. The sound wasn’t the best in the stadium, but it was good enough to enjoy – and better than other stadium shows I’ve been to. There were quite a few people singing along, but it was clear not everyone knew them. That said, the whole crowd seemed to dig them.
March 16, 2018 @ 11:08 am
It’s my understanding that Lambert and LBT are alternating headlining duties during this tour. I have zero interest in seeing LBT. I guess if they were the headliner in my town, I could beat the traffic and be home by 10.
March 16, 2018 @ 11:15 am
These co-healiner shows, you only get an 60-75 min of the act. I remember the Reba and Brooks & Dunn tour of the late 90’s. They opened together with a song, alternate sets which were about an hour long each, then a 2 or 3 song encore collaboration. So if you were exclusively a fan of one, you got about an hour.
March 16, 2018 @ 11:17 am
Only 30 mins when I saw them – but it was John Pardi next and then ML so not sure if it would be the same situation….
March 16, 2018 @ 11:46 am
I figured only 30 min of Turnpike…. 60 min of LBT and 60 min of Lambert (alternating) and 15 min collaboration … and in set changes … there’s your show.
March 16, 2018 @ 12:11 pm
Saw TT for thr first time last night in Louisville – incredible show. My intro to them was through an article on this site & i’ve been hooked since.
March 16, 2018 @ 1:07 pm
I just love that these guys are a real fricking BAND.
March 16, 2018 @ 10:09 pm
The Steel Woods are an absolute saving grace. They’re phenomenal. Everyone should listen to them. I watched them open for Blackberry Smoke, and I wanted them to play longer
March 18, 2018 @ 1:32 pm
I just downloaded their album. I think because Steel …. I thought they were another band. Seems like there’s a few Steel somethings out there. I love it.
I recently fell in love with Blackberry Smoke after I saw them in concert. I bet these two bands on the same bill were great!
March 17, 2018 @ 5:41 am
Wish there was something closer but I want to see Turnpike so bad that I will entertain the idea of traveling 5-6 hours for this. I like Miranda as well and she puts on a good show, not a big fan of LBT but they have a couple decent songs. Could leave early or go get a couple beers during their set.
March 17, 2018 @ 10:46 am
who exactly is the target market here?
I mean, no TT fan would go to see this mess.
no LBT fan is going to sit through an entire TT show without needing their diapers changed.
Who is going to go to such a mixed bag show?
March 18, 2018 @ 10:35 am
The target market is for people who like Boondocks and Day Drinking to hear Long Hot Summer Day and Every Girl, and buy Turnpike albums.
March 18, 2018 @ 2:04 pm
Little Big Town is incredibly talented. I still wish they’d make a country cover album of Fleetwood Mac. That being said, their music catalog is about 40% really good, 40% bad, and 20% tolerable +/-
They really do have some great songs and all 4 of them are great singers. It’s a shame they have to still release crap songs at their ages
March 17, 2018 @ 7:10 pm
I’d place this bet …. the next Miranda Lambert album will include a Turnpike Troubadours song.