The Little Willies at Stagecoach 2013. (Vanessa Franko/Staff Photo)
We made it through the first day of the Stagecoach Country Music Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio. Here are the highlights.
Best tribute to George Jones
Toby Keith departed from his set list for a tribute to George Jones, who died Friday.Many others offered condolences. See photos of Toby Keith at Stagecoach.
Best dressed
Connie Smith’s bedazzled red blazer was amazing. See photos of Smith at Stagecoach.
Most represented flag
American, duh. If Coachella is the United Nations of festival world, Stagecoach is proud to be an American.
Best up-and-coming act
Maggie Rose was lively and had a band that packed a punch and also featured mostly female players. She also an auxiliary percussionist. See photos of Maggie Rose at Stagecoach.
Next in line for a guest Chippendales spot
Trace Adkins said he was “freaky” and gyrated a lot on stage. See photos of Trace Adkins at Stagecoach.
Best “Big Lebowski” reference
Jeff Bridges playing Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Lookin’ Out my Back Door” after declaring it was for the Dude. Read more about Jeff Bridges at Stagecoach.
Most awkward cover
Jeff Bridges doing The Byrds’ “So You Want to be a Rock and Roll Star” in the set after Roger McGuinn played it. See photos of Jeff Bridges at Stagecoach.
Roger McGuinn performs at the Stagecoach Country Music Festival on Friday, April 26. (Vanessa Franko/Staff Photo)
Best storytelling
Roger McGuinn told tales from throughout his career with the Byrds and beyond and the stories behind the songs. See photos of Roger McGuinn at Stagecoach.
Act that deserves more attention
The Little Willies, which includes songstress Norah Jones, put on a dynamite set to close out the Palomino Stage on Friday night. See photos of The Little Willies at Stagecoach.
Imaginary surprise guest of Stagecoach
Apparently Hank Williams Jr. did a cover of “Walk This Way” and introduced Rev. Run to rap, except that Rev. Run wasn’t there and Williams rapped it instead. See photos of Hank Williams Jr. at Stagecoach.
Want more Stagecoach goodness? Check out all of our photos from Stagecoach 2013 and get more updates at the iGuide’s Stagecoach site.
If you’re at the festival or following along at home, we’re using the #PEStagecoach hashtag on Twitter and Instagram. If you want to send us photos, musings and more, we’ll give you some love here in the Audio File blog. Just use the hashtag!
For more Stagecoach news, photos, interviews and information, visit the iGuide Stagecoach page. If you want to follow me on social media, I’m at @vanessafranko on Twitter, the Audio File on Facebook and on Google+.