Oregon Trail Days Outdoor Saloon and Eatery July 16

Staff Report

OREGON, Ill.—Johnny Cash, country music, good food and cold beer are on tap for the second annual Oregon Trail Days Outdoor Saloon and Eatery Saturday, July 16, in downtown Oregon, Ill.

Committee members are excited to bring back the hugely popular Terry Lee Goffee performing his Ultimate Johnny Cash Tribute. Terry Lee (aka Johnny) will be the major feature of the evening taking the stage at 7:30 p.m. and performing many of Johnny’s famous songs. Terry was a crowd pleaser last year.

“Terry Lee, in my mind, just embodies Johnny Cash,” said Amy Trimble, committee member. “Not only does he look and sound like him, but he has the same humor and congenial personality that people remember about Johnny. We are very excited to have Terry Lee back and think the crowd will really enjoy the show.”

Goffee has been a fan of Johnny’s since he was 6 years old and has been performing as Cash for many years. Having firsthand knowledge of others who had done tributes and wanting to honor his musical hero, Goffee wanted to make his show a little different and unique by portraying Johnny Cash in the first person, rather than just standing there singing the songs. Like an actor, he literally becomes the character of Johnny Cash.

The evening will open with local musicians Southern Heritage, five-time Rockford Area Music Industry Award winners, who formed 14 years ago as a solid quality country band. With vocals by Dan Magner, they have shared the stage with acts like Lady Antebellum, Sara Evans, Josh Gracin, Luke Bryan, David Allen Coe and many more. They are known for putting their own swing on songs you have heard performed by top stars to make it the unique Southern Heritage sound.

The closing band is Penny Mae Dixon (PMD), who deliver high-energy country music that gets your attention and gets you off your feet. Based out of northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin, the PMD band has exploded onto the scene in the Midwest with their new song “The Dirt Sleddin’ Digger.” Tractor pull fans across the country and Europe have shown their support for the tune that has become the sport’s “theme” song. Recently, the band has completed more original songs to follow up their latest hit and are working on an album. Penny Mae Dixon and her band have experienced tremendous success early on with having the pleasure of performing at local fairs, festivals and regional and national music festivals including Milwaukee’s Summerfest.

Beer garden coordinator Rebecca Hazzard said: “We think this year’s Outdoor Eatery and Saloon will be bigger and better than ever. We have great music and lots of good food by local businesses and organizations, and with moving it to Saturday we hope to have an even larger crowd than last year.”

While music is the main feature of this event, the community will also enjoy a variety of foods provided by groups such as the Lions Club, Ogle County Beef Producers, Knights of Columbus and the Library. Chili Pepper Café and Father and Son Pizza will also have food booths this year.

“No matter what you’re hungry for, we are sure to have it,” said Hazzard. “There will be everything from popcorn and pizza to hotdogs, ribeye sandwiches, chicken wings, pork chops, brats and more.”

The festivities start at 5 p.m. and are being held at the Third Street parking lot (behind the library) in downtown Oregon. All proceeds go toward the Oregon Trail Days Festival and the restoration of the Black Hawk Statue. For additional information go to www.oregontraildays.org.

From the July 13-19, 2011 issue