Willie Nelson’s Country Throwdown coming to Pozo Saloon

June 24, 2011

By KARLEE PRAZAK

In what appears to be the largest one day musical event San Luis Obispo County has ever experienced, Willie Nelson’s Country Showdown, featuring 16 artists playing full sets on three stages, will rock the Pozo Saloon on Saturday.

Performing at the Pozo Saloon is somewhat of a rite of passage in the country music world with singers such as Willie Nelson, Dwight Yoakam, Shooter Jennings and the Charlie Daniels Band having played there.

Concert-goers can hope to hear some of Nelson’s more famous songs, such as “On the Road Again,” “Always on my Mind” and “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain.” And possibly even a father-son duet between Nelson and his 22-year-old son Lukas, who will be performing with his band Lukas Nelson & the Promise of the Real.

Even if the venue can’t guarantee cell phone service at its remote location past Santa Margarita Lake off Highway 101, it can guarantee a great show. This is exactly what concert-goers can expect as Pozo Saloon kicks off the season as a stop for the 2011 Willie Nelson Country Throwdown Tour on Saturday, June 25.

Pozo Saloon is the perfect venue to get away from the daily grind with friends and family and out into the countryside for the day. Concert attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket or low-back chair for the general admission lawn seating. But do to its remote location, Pozo Saloon recommends visiting the website for directions and avoiding any Internet-generated directions.

A ticket to the Country Throwdown is an all day pass to three stages of music, dancing and shopping.

The lowdown on the Throwdown:

On the main stage starting at 5:25 p.m., Lee Brice will perform followed by Randy Houser, Singer-Songwriter Group, Jamey Johnson and at 9:15 p.m. Willie Nelson.

Drake White will open the side stage at 3 p.m. followed by Lukas Nelson & The Promise of Real, Craig Campbell, and Brantley.

The concert is slated to start at about 2:30 p.m. with Austin Lucas performing on the Bluebird Café stage followed by Austin Lucas, Brent Cobb, Dani Flowers, Adam Hood, Erin Enderlin and Caitlyn Smith.

Gary Bang Harley Davidson is sponsoring a military ride from its store in Atascadero to the Pozo Saloon where active and veteran military personnel along with a guest will ride alongside artists such as Randy Houser through the scenic countryside to the Pozo Saloon. Upon arrival, they will be escorted into the Harley Davidson Golden Horse Saloon for a special pre-show meet and greet before receiving free admission to the Willie Nelson’s Country Showdown.

Tickets are $39 for general admission seating or $59 up-front pit seating and can be purchased online at www.pozosaloon.com or at a Pozo Saloon outlet. Doors open at 2 p.m.