Sean C. Morgan
Of The New Era
Jeff Foxworthy is back and headlining the 2007 Oregon Jamboree along with Dierks Bentley and Jo Dee Messina.
In response to feedback from customers, the Jamboree favorite Neal McCoy is back for his third appearance in four years.
Festival organizers announced their headliners Thursday. The 2007 event is scheduled for Aug. 3-5.
Bentley will headline on Friday, Aug. 3. Also playing is Steve Holy.
On Saturday, Aug. 4, Foxworthy will be joined by Aaron Tippin and Lorrie Morgan.
On Sunday, Aug. 5, The Grascals and Dale Watson will perform before McCoy and then Messina.
Event Manager Peter LaPonte addressed what one man at an area convenience store over the weekend dubbed “No-Show Morgan.”
Morgan, the youngest singer ever to join the Grand Ol’ Opry, has twice before been contracted to play the Jamboree and canceled both shows, one just days before she was scheduled to appear. She has had what one biography describes as “a turbulent personal life.”
“She’s rehabilitated,” LaPonte said. “And according to our contacts in Nashville, she’s putting on phenomenal shows. She had serious problems.”
She’s cleaned up, and “she’s doing some of the best work of her career right now,” LaPonte said. The Jamboree contracted with her based on recommendations from people in Nashville whom LaPonte trusts.
It’s worth giving her a second chance, he said. “A large part of our audience enjoys that kind of music.
Bentley, whom LaPonte described as a solid performer who’s getting better and better, has been of interest to the Jamboree for a while.
“We’ve been wanting to put Dierks on since he came out three or four years ago,” LaPonte said. “He’s got a long career in front of him.”
Foxworthy performed in Sweet Home in 1994, LaPonte said. This year, he will round out a mellower Saturday night.
With TV and cable shows, “Foxworthy is famous the way Carrie Underwood (who appeared last year) is famous,” LaPonte said. “We haven’t had a big name comedian in several years.”
And customers have suggested it was time for a comedian again, he said. “It’s just going to be a mellow night, which is something we can use.”
Sunday has a “gold-star” lineup, LaPonte said. The Grascols are a new bluegrass group that normally backs up Dolly Parton. Dale Watson is “three shades of Merle Haggard. Dale Watson is like going back to the ’50s in country music. He’s the real thing.”
And for an amazing back-to-back show, Sunday finishes with McCoy and Messina, LaPonte said.
The Jamboree will offer something for a variety of tastes, he said.
“Our audience has told us they don’t want a steady diet of the new acts that sounds like rock ‘n’ roll,” he said. “We’ve got some of that, but we’ve got the variety because the audience told us to.”
Holy is a veteran country performer whose latest album, “Brand New Girlfriend,” was released last summer. Its title track reached the top of Billboard’s Hot Country Singles charts. Holy is best known for his single “Good Morning Beautiful” which was featured in the 2001 film Angel Eyes. The song, his biggest hit to date, spent five weeks at #1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles charts.
“I think Friday clear through, it’s a great entertainment package,” LaPonte said. It has some surprises, new acts, old acts, “a real variety of stuff.”
This year, Jamboree organizers avoided bringing back repeats of previous years, LaPonte said. The only performers returning are Foxworthy, who has not been here for 13 years, and McCoy.
“Everybody has told us bring Neal back.
“None of the other artists have been here, not even Lorrie Morgan. She hasn’t been here twice before,” LaPonte said chuckling. “You can say that.”
The lineup still has one smaller national act to announce along with four regional acts.
The show has sold out its 3,000 VIP tickets. General admission remains available. Last year, the show sold out two weeks before the event.