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Top acts pour into town for Mountain Winery series

By Michele Tjin

Such big-time performers as Diana Krall, LeAnn Rimes and Gladys Knight will grace the stage at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga, which begins its 49th concert series this summer.

The venue has booked 71 acts from June to September, and even though this is Larry Hovick's first year as general manager at the Mountain Winery, the caliber of the performers give him reason to believe he'll have a good season.

"We already know we have a great line-up, and we have great expectations," he said.

Besides listening to an outdoor concert, visitors can also enjoy a three-course dinner under the stars. Mountain Winery offers dinner and concert packages, where guests can make reservations for dinner on the Chateau Deck or inside the restaurant and purchase wine from the Mountain Winery's wine selection.

The venue has had a rich history and has provided a stage for some of music's biggest acts, Hovick said. The Mountain Winery was built in 1877 and provided author John Steinbeck with inspiration for some of his books. The first summer concert was held in 1958, and two years later the site was named a state historical landmark.

"I know we had quite successful shows last year, and some of them are back again this year," Hovick said.

The schedule includes: June 6, Indigo Girls with Brandi Carlile; June 7, Mary Chapin Carpenter; June 8, Lucinda Williams; June 10, Cesaria Evora with special guest Tcheka; June 11, Brian Wilson; June 14, An Evening With Lindsey Buckingham; June 15, Three Dog Night/Toto; June 16, Ottmar Liebert and Luna Negra; June 17, Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi, Soul Stew Revival, special guest Scrapomatic; June 20-21, Diana Krall; June 22, Jonny Lang; June 23, Kathy Griffin; June 25, An Evening with Norah Jones and the Handsome Band; June 26, Ricky Scaggs/Bruce Hornsby with Kentucky Thunder; June 27, Rodrigo y Gabriela; June 28, Joan Amatrading, Into the Blues US Tour '07.

July 2, An Evening with Steve Winwood; July 3, The Moody Blues; July 6-8, Chris Isaak; July 10, Blues Traveler/Neville Brothers; July 12, Brian Regan; July 13-14, Boz Scaggs; July 15, Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo; July 16, Willie Nelson and Family; July 18, Cowboy Junkies; July 20-21, Kenny Loggins; July 22, The Beach Boys; July 23, John Hiatt/Shawn Colvin Solo Acoustic; July 24, Patty Griffin; July 25, Gladys Knight; July 26, Tears For Fears; July 27, LeAnn Rimes; July 29, David Sanborn/Tower Of Power; July 30, Lyle Lovett and his Large Band.

Aug. 2, Dave Koz and Friends; Aug. 3, Daryl Hall and John Oates; Aug. 4, Rufus Wainwright; Aug. 5, Rick Springfield; Aug. 7, Ozomatli; Aug. 8, The Temptations and The Four Tops; Aug. 11, Creedence Clearwater Revisited; Aug. 14, Squeeze; Aug. 15, Los Lonely Boys; Aug. 16, Keb 'Mo'/Robert Cray; Aug. 17, UB40; Aug. 18, Lewis Black--The Red White and Screwed Tour; Aug. 19, Jim Gaffigan--Beyond The Pale Tour; Aug. 20, HippieFest--The Turtles featuring Flo and Eddie, Felix Cavaliere's Rascals, The Zombies featuring Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent, Mountain featuring Leslie West and Corkey Laing, Mitch Ryder, Badfinger featuring Joey Molland, Country Joe McDonald; Aug. 21, India Arie; Aug. 22, Ziggy Marley; Aug. 23, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy; Aug. 24-25, Huey Lewis and The News; Aug. 25; Aug. 26, Madeleine Peyroux with Marie Knight; Aug. 27, Heart; Aug. 28, An Evening with Gipsy Kings; Aug. 29, Crowded House; Aug. 30, Crowded House.

Aug. 31-Sept. 1, Chicago; Sept. 6, The Doobie Brothers; Sept. 8, Richard Thompson Band; Sept. 9, Boney James; Sept. 10, Peter Frampton; Sept. 11, Etta James and The Roots Band; Sept. 15, Peter, Paul and Mary.

The Mountain Winery is at 14831 Pierce Road. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Show time is 7 p.m. For ticket prices and more information, visit www.mountainwinery.com.