Official Jimmy Buffett Tribute Show, A1A, headlines Newton RAGBRAI

The Official Jimmy Buffett Tribute Show, A1A, will headline Newton’s RAGBRAI entertainment lineup when cyclists cruise into downtown July 25.

Newton’s RAGBRAI committee announced Friday riders will have a chance to rock out to six musical acts during the jam-packed day of entertainment.

“It’s such an exciting moment for the City of Newton to be one of the RAGBRAI overnight stops this year, and we couldn’t be more excited to help showcase how proud we are of our city,” Newton RAGBRAI Entertainment Committee co-chair KayLea Marchant said. “Our whole plan has been to make Newton the number one memory for each of the riders and we hope that when they leave, they want to come back and stay for a visit.”

The main stage will be located on the northwest corner of the courthouse square at the intersection of West Second Street North and North Second Avenue West. First up on the main stage is Newton native Cody Carter, performing from 3 to 3:45 p.m. Carter said he is passionate about playing music that people love.

Local favorite, Damon Dotson will make his return to Newton, performing from 3:45 to 4:30 p.m. Originally from Northwest Iowa, Dotson has opened for legendary performers including BB King, Willie Nelson and The Beach Boys, along with modern artists such as Matt Nathanson and Edwin McCain.

Dotson headlined Newton Fest in 2017 and will be back in town to close out the city’s concert series at the Maytag Bowl later this year.

Bringing a mix of classic and soft rock from the 70s through today, Slipstream will hit the stage at 4:45 p.m. with an hour-long set. The fun-loving musicians from Newton and Des Moines draw upon there previous experiences to bring hits from groups including Boston, The Knack, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benetar, The Eagles, Adele, Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, Heart and many others.

Slipstream members include Kim DeGraff, Dave Heck, Rick Maly, Jay Parnau, Kimberly Schnell, Randy Wadle and Newton city councilman Dean Stonner.

Showing a younger generation where rock and roll came from, The Beatless, a Beatles tribute band, is a conglomeration of the best musicians in the Des Moines area indie-rock scene. Jordan Mayland, Kevin Neal, Tom Reneker and Newton’s own Trent Derby will play classic Beatles selections from all eras from 6 to 7 p.m.

The party keeps going as dueling piano players Andy Anderson and Tony Bohnenkamp take over at 7:20 p.m. with their Elton and Billy tribute act. With Anderson as Elton John and Bohnenkamp as Billy Joel, the duo will play the hits, complete with costumes, backed by members of the karaoke band Party! Party!

“We’re pretty excited to be up there, especially for something as big as RAGBRAI. It is such a cool thing the state of Iowa does every year,” Bohnenkamp said. “We’re going to bring a hell of a show, and I think our music is going to fit right in with the rest of the lineup. It is going to be a great time.”

To officially say “Aloha Mahalo,” the first and only tribute show ever sanctioned by Jimmy Buffet, A1A, will finish the night of right starting at 9 p.m. With well-known Buffett favorites along with original Trop Rock selections and classic Reggae tunes, A1A brings energy, musicianship, originality and excitement to every performance.

Founded in 1991, A1A got its start when lead vocalist and guitarist, Jeff Pike, asked Atlanta Parrot Head Club Founder, Scott Nickerson, to join him in his already successful one-man tribute to Jimmy Buffett. In 1992, the band won a Jimmy Buffett Sound Alike Contest for Margaritaville Records and the A1A ball started rolling and keeps going 25 years later.

Additional entertainment for RAGBRAI riders includes Silent Disco, which equips listeners with wireless headsets featuring three unique channels that can seamlessly change stations and volume. Listeners can enjoy live music from three distinct DJs while wearing the headsets around downtown Newton and take part is different activities once the headsets come off. Silent Disco will be rocking July 25 from dusk until “last call.”

Newton RAGBRAI worked with People’s Productions of Des Moines to compile the impressive line up.

“Tom (of People’s Productions) has been a part of many big events in the Des Moines area, including Des Moines’ most recent RAGBRAI overnight stop,” Marchant said. “We’re so excited about the variety of entertainment options he has for us – there’s literally something for everyone.”

RAGBRAI 2018 will take place from July 22 to 28. It will start in Onawa and end in Davenport, with overnight stops in Denison, Jefferson, Ames, Newton, Sigourney and Iowa City.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com