America, Little River Band booked

Two light-folk-rock groups with scores of hits in the 1970s have been booked for the Disabled Persons Action Organization/Toyota Summer Concert Series.

America and Little River Band will perform at 7 p.m. Aug. 13 at the Alex T. Duffy Fairgrounds Arena, 970 Coffeen St. Tickets go on sale at 7 a.m. March 8.

America had two number one hits: "A Horse with No Name" and "Sister Golden Hair." Some of the band's other well-known tunes are "I Need You," "Ventura Highway," "Don't Cross the River," "Tin Man" and "Lonely People."

America vocalists/guitarists Dewey Bunnell, Dan Peek and Gerry Beckley met in England while they were in high school in the late 1960s. All were sons of U.S. Air Force officers stationed in that country.

Mr. Peek left the group in 1976 to pursue a career as a Christian recording artist.

Mr. Bunnell and Mr. Beckley released a career-spanning America box set in 2000. The duo was tempted back into the studio in 2006 by longtime fans and musicians, including Wayne and James Iha of the Smashing Pumpkins. Producers brought in younger musicians influenced by America to guest on America's album, 2007's "Here & Now." It contained new material and covers written by musicians heavily influenced by the band.

Little River Band was formed in Melbourne, Australia, in 1975. After a successful Australian hit single, "Curiosity Killed the Cat," the band began promotional visits to the U.S. in 1976.

The band's top 10 hits include: "Reminiscing," "Lady" "Lonesome Loser," "Cool Change" and "Take It Easy on Me."

For more than a decade, beginning in the mid-1980s, Little River Band had a revolving door of members. Wayne Nelson has been its lead singer since 1999. He's a former long-time bass player for the group and had a three-year hiatus from the band beginning in 1996.

Band spokesman Steve Green of Artists International Management said Little River Band retains its original sound. "There's only one complaint about that act," he said. "People think it's pre-recorded. But it's not."

Tickets for the America and Little River Band are $40 and $34 for reserved seats and $26 for general admission.

America and Little River Band join the Disabled Persons Action Organization/Toyota Summer Concert Series lineup that includes country star Alan Jackson, who will perform at 7 p.m. July 16 at the baseball diamond at the fairgrounds during the Jefferson County Fair. Tickets, which also will be good for fair admittance, go on sale March 1.

DPAO has yet to schedule a planned children's concert and another classic rock concert for the series.

For more information, contact DPAO at 782-0044 or 1 (800) 533-2859.