by Mary-Ann Brandon
LA VETA — Country music is getting ready to roll back into Huerfano County in a big way on July 2, when the Spanish Peaks Music Festival takes flight at the airport in La Veta.
Having enjoyed a great success in a former location (Cuchara) and with a different name and organization, festival promoter Jim VanLue got the inspired idea to combine his passions for flying and country music at a singular event. In the future, strategies are in the works to make much needed repairs to the airport runway and invite flying clubs from around the country to bring their planes and soak in the spectacular scenic beauty along with the sounds of country music. Already, lodging is at near capacity, but the festival is offering campsites to accommodate overflow visitors.
This year the festival will celebrate artists from across the heartland of America. Headliner Charlie Jenkins is from Utah, but made a splash on the country music scene when he was a contestant on the NBC television show “Nashville Star.” Jenkins managed to make it to the top 12. He will feature a southern Colorado native and local singer, Trudy Price, during his set.
Kinsey Sadler will represent Tulsa, Oklahoma. Her style combines country with classic rock to bring a tough-as-nails stage presence and take no prisoners attitude that is compared to Miranda Lambert and Gretchen Wilson.
Kyndon Oaks from Independence, Kansas makes his debut this year at the festival. Dreaming big and wanting to hone his craft, Kyndon relocated to Nashville, Tennessee where he has entered into the time-honored pursuit of co-writing with established hit songwriters. Learning how to navigate in Music City U.S.A. is no small feat; this young man is beginning his rise in the business. Oaks is is compared to Tim McGraw and Keith Urban. He will bring sounds of contemporary country music to the stage.
Rounding out the 2016 line up are two Colorado bands, Exit West and Cappton Reid.
All pertinent information regarding time, tickets, parking, rules and regulations, and lodging can be found at the official website: www.spanishpeaksmusicfestival.com
