Thunder Valley Casino Resort will host Big & Rich and Gretchen Wilson this Friday night, September 16 at 8 p.m. The event will take place in Thunder Valley’s Outdoor Amphitheater, an excellent venue for a fun night of country music. The country duo of John Rich and Big Kenny will perform this weekend as part of their Xtreme Musik tour. The show will be one of just a couple of shows in California before the tour heads north. Grammy, CMA, ACM and AMA award winner Gretchen Wilson is paired with Big & Rich for the evening. Wilson has been co-headlining the tour since it began in mid-June. The pairing is ideal considering the numerous collaborations among the three of them. “Fake I.D.” is one

On August 28th, 2011 Walt Gray and Hope Productions revved-up their engines, at Thunder Valley Casino and Resort for the ninth annual Walt Gray Ride for Kids. Starting at 8:00 am thousands of motorcycles lined-up in the Thunder Valley Casino parking lot in Lincoln, CA and prepared for a beautiful ride to the Nevada County Fairgrounds. With over 3000 riders raising money for charity it was another fantastic turn-out for the annual event. With a new venue, Thunder Valley Casino and Resort, and amazing weather the event started off with a bang. Walt walked around greeting the riders and making sure to thank everyone for attending. Like in years past, you can tell that this is an event close

With classic songs like, “Feelin’ Stronger Every Day,’ Saturday in the Park, Hard to Say I’m Sorry, and Baby, what a Big Surprise” Chicago took the stage at Thunder Valley Casino and Resort Saturday night. While they still perform crowd pleasing and solid versions of their classic hits, Chicago does not have the same stage presence it once did. Throughout the entire hour and forty-five minute set the band took turns singing their classic tunes (instead of founding member Robert Lamm taking center stage). Although this worked on many levels, the fond memories many of us have of seeing Robert sing center stage with his powerful and addictive voice was lost. The reason is somewhat obvious,

It's been 50 years since the Beach Boys formed and have been " getting around" with their all-American hits about love, summertime, the beach, surfing, endless youth and cars. Many fans flocked to Thunder Valley Casino and Resort Friday evening to attend the sold-out Beach Boys show, part of Thunder Valley's Summer Concert Series. Nothing but nostalgia filled the air as the crowd rocked their Hawaiian shirts and leis, hit beach balls in the air and lined up at the beer garden to get their fix before the band hit the stage. The arena was surrounded by old classic cars and limos with words painted in the windows such as "Beach Boys Forever." These were the type of rides fans drove to see t

Joan Jett, one of our reigning queens of rock ’n’ roll and one of only two women on Rolling Stone’s list of 100 greatest guitar players of all time, rocked a full house at Thunder Valley Casino Saturday night. Jett, accompanied by her band The Blackhearts, proved that she still has the energy and free-spirited wild-child persona she adopted during her early days as a guitarist in her first band, The Runaways. Jett donned her signature black shaggy hair, dark eye makeup, a black tank top and Converse as she paraded around the stage, clapping her hands and encouraging the crowd to throw their hands up and sing along. Joining her on stage was lead guitarist Dougie Needles, drummer Tommy Pr

With a sold-out audience screaming in excitement the ‘Thunder from Down Under (TFDU)’ took to the stage this evening at Thunder Valley Casino and Resort. If you are not aware of whom this group is it would seem that you may be in the minority. TFDU is a group of well-toned Australian men who whip women into a screaming frenzy by gyrating, tantalizing and teasing through individual as well as group strip-tease acts. This all male revue, which has been in operation for almost 20 years, is Australia's answer to America’s famous Chippendale Dancers. The main difference between the two acts is that TFDU travels world-wide and continually sells-out most of their shows. This global presence, alo

Tonight, one of America’s best selling bands treated fans at Thunder Valley Casino and Resort to a night of hard-hitting, down to earth music that reverberated throughout the revamped outdoor stadium. The Fray who found stardom with Grey’s Anatomy has continued their meteoric rise with both the fans and the charts alike. This fame landed them the coveted gig of opening-up for U2; one of the biggest rock bands of our generation and helped to solidify their place among the greats. Even with the increment weather, The Fray started off their set with a hard-hitting, powerful number titled, “Here We Are,” which sounds as if it could be a lead song on their upcoming album (no release date set

Fans of 1960s classic rock will have the chance to "revisit" some fond musical memories this month, as Creedence Clearwater Revisited, a re-formed Creedence Clearwater Revival sans vocalist John Fogerty, takes the stage May 21 at the Thunder Valley Casino Resort Amphitheater in Lincoln. The Sacramento Press had the chance to speak with original Revival member and current drummer of Revisited Doug Clifford about the band's formation and what it's like to be playing the songs he loves 43 years after their release. Revisited formed in 1995, 23 years after the Fogerty incarnation of the band broke up. Clifford and original Revival bassist Stu Cook were jamming in Clifford's home studio with

After 30 years of rock and roll classics, Eddie Money took the stage at Pana Hall inside of Thunder Valley Casino and Resort. The aging rocker and his band cranked out many of his classics: 'Take Me Home Tonight', 'Two Tickets to Paradise', 'Baby Hold On', 'Shakin' and more. Most of the audience was near Eddie's age and he knew how to play to them well. As an entertainer, Eddie Money's job is to roll back the clock to a time of unadulterated Rock and Roll while making sure the audience has a good time as he does it. When these older performers make you laugh, smile and sing-along then they have done their job. Like many of his peers, Eddie Money is extremely gracious to his fans for supp

Country singer Crystal Gayle performed to a sold-out crowd Friday night in Thunder Valley Casino’s Pano Hall. The audience was a mixture of old and older. Suffice it to say there were a few wheelchairs in the house, but this was a more sophisticated crowd with several people arriving in the snazzy electric versions. All joking aside, it was clear that everyone in attendance had been following Crystal Gayle throughout her 40-plus-year career. Luis and Janet Gutierrez, who came all the way from Vallejo to see Gayle perform, were extremely pleased with the show. Their only complaint was that they wished she had played more of her original songs. In addition to her hits below, Gayle also per

Sinbad, the man with his own unique style of comedy, had the packed house at Thunder Valley Resort laughing for an hour and a half Friday night. Sinbad, who has years of stand-up comedy, television and film roles under his belt, made sure the audience knew that being back on the stage was where he belonged. Sinbad’s stand-up show features stories more than jokes and is largely based on everyone he meets, everything he’s seen and everything he does. Many jokes take unique and hilarious turns as he works them out in his head. Sometimes a joke starts to stagnate just a little and ‘wham’ he pulls a funny face or an appropriate line out of the hat and it soars once again. Many of the evening’

On Tuesday December 21st, Tony Orlando will perform a Christmas Concert at the Holiday Pavilion inside of Thunder Valley Casino at 7 p.m. Orlando was instrumental in creating the music of the 1960s and ’70s. With more than 1 million records sold, six albums to his credit, five No. 1 hits, TV shows, movies and Broadway plays, Tony is a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment industry. His style and grace, along with his energetic performances, continue to electrify crowds. His performance will surely include some of his most popular work: “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round The Ole Oak Tree,” “Sweet Gypsy Rose,” “He Don't Love You,” “Who's In The Strawberry Patch With Sally,” “Cupid,” “Step

In front of approximately 3000 fans, the ‘Spirit of Asia’ took to the stage at Thunder Valley Casino and Resort Saturday night. The group consisted of eleven different singers, two comedians and a presenter (Mc Ky Duyen). The event was designed to bring together individual acts from across Asia, each a star in their own right. They would perform one or two songs and then the next would take to the stage to entertain the mostly Asian crowd. It was obvious by the crowd’s reaction that they not only knew the performers but really enjoyed the individual acts. Starting the night off with a bang, Linda Chou bounced onto the stage and easily could have been mistaken for a young teen-idol from

Three heart throbs, two distinctive generations, one stage and a lot of screaming fans – all three of these came together last night at Thunder Valley Casino & Resort where Davy Jones, Peter Noone and Rick Springfield performed for a packed house. These were the generations of artist that brought their music to the audience; it was their (the artists) work and they wanted to share it. It wasn’t about money, but about living. What started out as an evening of Rick Springfield and two ‘OTHER’ bands turned into a life lesson on just how much music effects people and how that very music can transcend the generations. Walking around Thunder Valley Casino & Resort before the concert I was f

Even though it was a holiday, no one seemed to care spending 2.5 hours outdoors at Thunder Valley Casino Resort – probably, because Melissa Etheridge captivated the 2500-plus crowd with her raspy voice that has kept its charm and allure.   Throughout the concert, her voice was strong and just raspy enough to show she is still a rock authority that can command any stage. For Etheridge, it did not matter whether she was singing classic hits like, “I’m the Only One” and “Come to My Window” or her newer music like “Fearless Love” or “Nervous” – everything she sang sprang to life and brought her exceptionally loyal fans to their feet. Etheridge seems to use her two decades of touring to find

Do you have a beautiful water-efficient garden? If so, the City of Sacramento, the Regional Water Authority (RWA) and its partner agencies are looking for you! The Regional Water Authority (RWA), City of Sacramento Department of Utilities and other local water providers invite Sacramento-area residents to show off their “Blue Thumb” by staring in its new television and radio advertising campaign promoting water efficiency. “We’ve all heard of ‘Green Thumb,’ which is often used to describe someone who has a natural skill for gardening,” said RWA Water Efficiency Program Manager Linda Higgins. “Our campaign will showcase people who have a ‘Blue Thumb’—a talent for creating a beautiful wat

Looking for a way to hold history in your hand? Former presidents Bush, Carter and Clinton, as well as President Obama, will appear at the Sierra 2 Center on Sunday -- on buttons, badges and posters. They are all part of a political collectible show and sale put on by the Northern California Chapter of American Political Items Collectors. The APIC, a nonprofit that began in 1945, has more than 2,000 members and 19 regional chapters. Northern California's chapter has about 300 members, said Adam Gottlieb, the chapter's president. Gottlieb has been collecting political memorabilia since he was 11, starting with a Teddy Roosevelt button from 1904. Gottlieb, 45, said Roosevelt memorabilia m

Last Sunday, I took the photographer's tour of the Gladding McBean factory.The tour guide took my group through the old factory, pointing out firing kilns (some actually in use), old molds and models, tiles, old papers and paperwork and art exhibits. It's an old factory with lots of history. The Downtown Sacramento Partnership is offering walking tours showcasing buildings created using the high quality clay from Gladding McBean. My brother-in-law Michael Winn told me the building his office is in - the Elks Building along J - was built with bricks from the factory. Please see Leona Reber's full feature on the Feats of Clay:http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/7592/TwentyTwo_years_of

February 12th marked the bicentennial of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth president of the United States. Governor Schwarzenegger and Mayor Kevin Johnson were the featured speakers at The California Museum's celebration event. An Abraham Lincoln impersonator led the educational program, giving a chronological history of his personal life and political career to an audience of elementary school children and students from Sacramento High. He finished the segment with a question and answer period. Governor Schwarzenegger then took the podium to a round of applause with Mayor Johnson standing by his side. After complementing the Mayor's tie, he saluted Lincoln, stating, "President