It will be hit songs from start to finish when the legendary Doobie Brothers take the Belleayre Music Festival stage on Satuday, July 20 at 8 p.m. The Doobies are synonymous with the power pop of the 1970s and the band’s classic hits are an integral element of the era’s soundtrack. Taking the radio waves by storm, the California band racked up a string of gold and platinum albums, along with hit singles like “Listen to the Music,” “Black Water” “Jesus is Just Alright” and “China Grove.”
Founding members guitarist/vocalist Tom Johnston and guitarist Patrick Simmons will lead the band at Belleayre. The group began its illustrious musical journey in a country-rock band vein, making its first significant impact with its second record, “Toulouse Street.” Driven by the singles "Listen to the Music" and “Jesus Is Just Alright,” the band was quickly vaulted into prominence.
“The Captain and Me,” released in1973, continued the momentum, producing Top Ten hits “Long Train Runnin’” and “China Grove.”
The Doobies’ appeal took another leap forward with the release of “What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits,” which launched their first number one single, "Black Water.” Next came the band’s most successful album, “Minute by Minute,” which spent five weeks at number one on the strength of the number one single “What a Fool Believes.” The Doobies are renowned for their rollicking live performances and the Belleayre show promises an evening of high-powered classic hits guaranteed to have the crowd singing – and dancing — along.
Opera, Jazz & Comedy
Up next, the Belleayre Festival Opera presents Bizet’s “Carmen” on Satuday, July 27. The Catskill Mountain Jazz Series will span five extraordinary performances. On Thursday, Aug. 1, the series opens with the Sammy Figueroa Latin Dance Explosion in the Jazz Club. The phenonmenal Pedrito Martinez Havana Quartet will light up the Jazz Club on Friday, Aug. 2. The Paquito D’Rivera and the Dizzy Gillespie Big Band performs on August 3. Keyboard wizard Bill Charlap will play the Jazz Club with his trio on Friday, Aug. 9. Next up on Saturday, Aug. 10 is Kenny Barron’s Platinum Quintet. It’s Broadway at Belleayre on Saturday, Aug. 17 when song-and-dance legend Ben Vereen takes the stage. The festival presents Comedy in the Catskills II with Harrison Greenbaum performing on Friday, Aug. 23. Veteran funny woman Rita Rudner headlines on Saturday, Aug. 24. The season closes in theatrical rock style with The Music of Pink Floyd on Saturday, Aug. 31. All shows begin at 8 p.m. Tickets for all shows are on sale via Ticketmaster. For additional information, please call 800 942-6904, ext. 1344, visit: belleayremusic.org
For information on where to stay, dine, shop or to simply enjoy the great outdoors when you’re in town for the Belleayre Music Festival, please visit: www.catskillhighpeaks.com, www.ulstertourism.info or www.greatwesterncatskills.com. Belleayre Music Festival concerts are held on the grounds of Belleayre Mountain in Highmount. Belleayre Mountain is located in the heart of New York’s Catskill Mountain region, and is operated by the Olmpic Regional Development Authority. The ski resort is located just off Route 28 and is 37 miles west of Thruway Exit 19 at Kingston; 55 miles southeast of Oneonta on Route 28; 40 miles from the Route 17 exit at Roscoe; and 95 miles southwest of Albany and just two hours north of NYC.
