National music acts making way to area stages in April

Area concert venues have announced upcoming concerts in Clovis and Portales.

The Clovis/Curry County Chamber of Commerce has announced the lineup for the 2023 Clovis Music Festival, scheduled for April 14 and 15 at the Curry County Events Center.

For Friday, April 14, The Eli Young Band will headline the first night of the festival. Country rocker Uncle Kracker will open the show.

According to a chamber news release, The Eli Young Band has always been unique in modern Country music as “a true band of brothers who cling fast to their Texas roots.” The band has had Billboard’s #1 Country Song of the Year and the Academy of Country Music’s Song of the Year. They have also earned nominations from Grammy, CMA, CMT, ACA and Teen Choice Awards.

Uncle Kracker vaulted to stardom as a charismatic presence and chief collaborator in Kid Rock’s Twisted Brown Trucker Band. The Michigan singer, songwriter, and performer, also known as Matthew Shafer, kicked off an incredible solo career of his own. His 2000 major label debut, “Double Wide,” went double-platinum and yielded the #1 smash hit “Follow Me.” Uncle Kracker flew up the charts for five weeks at #1 with “When the Sun Goes Down,” and he reached Country Music’s Top 10 with his double-platinum crossover hit “Smile.” Uncle Kracker has played sold-out shows across the country.

Saturday, April 15, the headline act will be Los Huracanes del Norte.

According to the chamber’s press release, this band is considered pioneers in the norteño music genre.

They are distinguished in their genre for their diligence, discipline, humility and love for life. They are creators of a distinctive style that has rendered them international fame and an impressive production of 68 albums, three Grammy nominations, winners of the Billboard magazine trophy “la voz,” the prestigious trophy of the Heraldo of Mexico, and numerous other awards. Los Huracanes del Norte celebrated their 50th anniversary last year and were honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Ticket information for the 2023 Clovis Music Festival will be announced at clovismusicfestival.com and on Facebook @ClovisMusicFest.

Since 1987, people from across the globe have traveled to eastern New Mexico to celebrate the history of rock ‘n’ roll. With concerts from some of the greatest musicians of all time, the Clovis Music Festival is a tribute to the influential artists who recorded their music in the Norman Petty Recording Studios and had an impact, not only in Clovis, but on the entire course of rock and roll history.

In Portales, Eastern New Mexico University has announced Country singer Aaron Watson will be appearing at Greyhound Arena April 29..

According to an ENMU news release, Watson has traveled the land as the country’s ultimate underdog troubadour for the past 30 years.

Watson is described as “a truly independent artist with the spirit of the American frontier in his veins and a self-made empire to match.”

Watson has reached the Top 10 of Billboard’s Country Album chart five times, including his 2015 album,“The Underdog,” which landed at Number One.

Portales’ own Will Bannister will kick off the evening at 7 p.m. Bannister has had hits on the Texas Country Music Chart and had one of his songs entitled “Find a New Home” featured in Clint Eastwood’s 2021 film “Cry Macho.”

The news release stated, “with a long tradition of hosting country acts such as George Strait, Kenny Rogers and Willie Nelson, Eastern New Mexico University is proud to continue the tradition of bringing high-quality country music acts to the campus and the Portales community.”

James Johnston, ENMU president, said in the news release, “We hope to see everyone at Greyhound Arena on April 29.”

Tickets are $30 for lower-level reserved seating and $20 for upper-level general admission. A limited number of standing-room-only floor tickets are available for $50. Tickets go on sale Feb. 1.

Purchase online by visiting https://www.enmu.edu/AaronWatson, by calling 575.562.2106, or by visiting the front desk of the Campus Union Building.

A percentage of every ticket sold will go towards a scholarship for ENMU students who are part of the Associated Students Activity Board (ASAB).