Music spotlight: Winstock

June 3, 2012 at 12:16AM
Blake Shelton
Blake Shelton (Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Friday-Saturday 6/8-9

It's easy to get excited about the 19th annual Winstock country-and-camping festival because Willie Nelson is returning Friday. So, too, is Martina McBride, who has country's most stratospheric voice. But the big draw is "The Voice" dude himself -- Blake Shelton (pictured). For years, he was just a cowboy hat with a good ballad and a bad mullet. Then he became known as Miranda Lambert's guy. And now he's a coach on "The Voice," which has showcased his personality, humor and hat-less, sheared hunkiness. The "Honey Bee" hitmaker has become one of country's hottest stars and Winstock's Saturday headliner. The fundraiser for the Holy Trinity Catholic School also features Sunny Sweeney, Gary Allan, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Uncle Kracker, Frankie Ballard and more. (4:30 p.m. Fri. and 12:30 p.m. Sat. $120-$180. Winsted Airport, Winsted, Minn. 1-888-946-7865, or www.winstockfestival.com.)

about the writer

about the writer

Jon Bream

Critic / Reporter

Jon Bream has been a music critic at the Star Tribune since 1975, making him the longest tenured pop critic at a U.S. daily newspaper. He has attended more than 8,000 concerts and written four books (on Prince, Led Zeppelin, Neil Diamond and Bob Dylan). Thus far, he has ignored readers’ suggestions that he take a music-appreciation class.

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