Three classic rock acts booked for Moondance

Pilot-Independent
By Paul Nye
Editor

January 29, 1998

Three national acts have been confirmed for Moondance Jam VII set for July 9-11.

According to Jack Thibault of TEA Productions, a Minnetonka-based entertainment agency, Foreigner, John Kay and Steppenwolf, and Eddie Money have been booked for the three-day classic rock music event.

Thibault said that offers have been extended to several other national acts, but declined to name the groups. "There are several offers out there for high quality acts and we are anxiously awaiting for a favorable response to those offers," he said in a telephone interview recently.

The music festival, going into its seventh year, was extended to three days last year. Acts such as REO Speedwagon, Grand Funk, and 38 Special, Kansas, the Turtles, Marshall Tucker Band, Corey Stevens and many more have appeared at the festival in recent years.

Set on the original site of Moondance Ranch, about seven miles east of Walker on Highway 200, the festival drew an estimated 35,000 people over three days last year. Thibault said that several estimates of the numbers of people attending the festival have circu1ated since last year, but stated that the 35,000 who attended was an official count based on ticket sales.

As was the case last year, ticket sales will be limited to 20,000 per day for Moondance Jam VII. Thibault said that promoter Bill Bieloh was forced to turn away a number of festivalgoers late Saturday afternoon and early evening at last year’s festival because of his concern for overcrowding. "One of our goals is not to oversell this event because of overcrowding and safety concerns," Bieloh said. "The relaxed and open atmosphere at the site is something we really want to protect. We realize the potential of the grounds and do not want to abuse it."

Thibault said that there is a strong possibility that video walls will be added to the stage area this year.

Because of heavy demand last year, both Bieloh and Thibault said that the parking and campsite would be expanded. In fact, Bieloh said that some work has already been on expansion of the parking area.

Ticket prices haven't been established for Moondance Jam VII. Bieloh said that once all of the acts have been booked, ticket prices would be established.

Moondance Jam VI's web site was established October 1 with live video clips of last year's event. Since that time Bieloh said that there have been close to 7,000 "hits" (web site visitors) to the site. To access the web site, type www.moondanceranch.com.