The Oregon Jamboree announced last week that Aaron Lewis will replace the late Merle Haggard as headliner of the July 30 Saturday night line-up.
Also, Haggard’s sons Ben and Noel Haggard, along with his band, The Strangers, will perform Saturday, July 30, to replace their father and bandmate, who died on his 79th birthday, April 6.
Haggard had been scheduled as headliner for the Saturday line-up of the three-day festival, July 29-31.
Jamboree officials said in their announcement Wednesday, May 18, that Lewis, who is frontman for Staind, is appearing in an “unexpected twist,” stepping in to cover the Saturday headlining void.
Although Lewis may come from a supremely popular rock band he is no stranger to country music; he plans on releasing his second country album this year on the heels of his radio hit “Country Boy.”
“We were at a loss when we found out Merle had passed,” said Jamboree Festival Director Robert Shamek. “He was a legend and I personally, along with so many others, was looking forward to seeing him at the Jamboree.
“You can’t ‘replace’ Merle but we knew we had to honor him, as well as make sure the Saturday night spot was filled. I’ll be perfectly honest, it was extremely difficult to find an artist that could add a show this late in the summer and it took more time than we thought.
“However, having Merle’s sons Ben and Noel step in was the perfect solution and adding such talent as Aaron Lewis will really round out the lineup.”
He said Lewis is set to play a the Watershed Festival in the Gorge the next day, July 31, so it worked out for him to come to the Jamboree.
Plus, Shamek said, “They were super excited to play in place of Merle Haggard. Aaron was personal friends with Merle.”
Teresa Stas, Jamboree marketing manager, said she has seen several of Lewis’ shows and “he is amazing to listen to.
“He also is very aware of the position he is in having to step in for Merle,” Stas said. “He has so much respect for him and what he did for country music.”
With Staind, Lewis crafted the most-played rock song of the decade, “It’s Been Awhile,” sold 13 million albums worldwide, had four consecutive top-three debuts on the Billboard 200, and released multiple cross-format radio hits.
But Staind frontman never strayed very far from country. It’s something that he grew up with and which he comes back to.
Hints of that are present in the stripped honesty and acoustic melodies of Staind hits such as “Outside,” “It’s Been Awhile,” and “So Far Away.”
Lewis fully shows that spirit on his record “The Road” and most prevalently, his first country single, “Country Boy.”
With a little help from legends Charlie Daniels and George Jones as well as genre stalwart Chris Young, Lewis tells his story like never before on the song.
“Country was the background music to my childhood,” Lewis recalled. “My grandfather listened to Merle Haggard, Hank Williams, Hank Williams Jr., and all of the greats. When Staind did our first tour with Kid Rock in 1999, I rode the bus with him on a couple occasions and we bonded over this music. I haven’t been able to let go of it since then.”
Shamek said Lewis will reach the Jamboree patrons who, he said, are responding to the announcement that he will play this year’s festival.
“It’s been a good response,” he said. “(Lewis) is appeasing not only the Haggard fans but reaching out to a new demographic. It’s a little bit like Darius Rucker” who headlined the 2011 festival, and who moved into country after fronting Hootie and the Blowfish.
“It’s the same draw,” Shamek said. “Even if the actual name recognition isn’t there, eveybody is going to know his songs.
“I’ve watched a bunch of his shows. He’s going to fit right in. He’s just a good ol’ boy who puts on a great show. He’s going to blow you away.”
Lewis, and the Haggards with The Strangers, will join previously announced artists Carrie Underwood, Toby Keith, Randy Houser, Chase Bryant, Old Dominion, Josh Gracin, Home Free and more.
For a full lineup, visit Oregonjamboree.com.
Tickets and camping for the 24th Annual Oregon Jamboree are currently on-sale at OregonJamboree.com or by calling the box office at (888) 613-6812 Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Jamboree management encourages those who want the up-to-date artist releases to sign up for their email newsletter at OregonJamboree.com.