The Entertainment Department at Harrington Raceway and Casino is proud to announce that legendary country superstar Ronnie Milsap is scheduled to perform at the Exhibit Hall on Saturday, March 18th, 2017, as part of the On Stage – Harrington series line-up.
Known as one of the most popular and influential performers of the 1970’s and 1980’s, Milsap has garnered six Grammy awards, eight gold records, and an astonishing 40 No. 1 hits in his illustrious career. Milsap’s 40 #1 Country hits places him in the top three in that category among country superstars of all-time, only behind Conway Twitty and George Strait. His countless awards and accolades include induction into the famed Grand Ole Opry in 1976; eight Country Music Association Awards including Entertainer of the Year; four Academy of Country Music awards, including its top honor, the Pioneer Award in 2002; and induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2014.
Born in 1943 in the small town of Robbinsville, North Carolina, Milsap would grow up being influenced by several genres of music including pop, rock, R&B, gospel and country. The shear love of music would land Milsap learning several instruments and eventually mastering the piano. Throughout those formative years, Milsap would be influenced and inspired by the likes of Elvis Presley, Ray Charles, Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis who he often pays tribute to them in his concerts. It was December of 1972 when he relocated to Nashville after a chance meeting with country music star Charlie Pride. This would prove to be a catalyst for Milsap as he was influenced by Pride to focus on country music and picked up by Pride’s manager who took him under his wing. In 1973, he would record his first hit, “I Hate You”, which would reach No. 10 on the country charts. The following year, Milsap toured as an opening act for Pride and garnered two No. 1 singles: “Pure Love” and “Please Don’t Tell Me How The Story Ends” which won him his first Grammy, and the rest is history.
Hit after hit followed including ”Smokey Mountain Rain,” “(There’s) No Getting Over Me,” “I Wouldn’t Have Missed It For The World,” “Any Day Now,” “Pure Love,” “Lost In The Fifties Tonight,” “Stranger In My House,” “(I’m a) Stand by My Woman Man,” and the incomparable classic “It Was Almost Like A Song,” making Milsap one of the biggest country music stars in history. He continues to be known as a huge inspiration to today’s country artists as well. Blake Shelton, who found inspiration and guidance from Milsap while recording his Red River Blue album, Eric Church, Billy Currington and Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley, to name a few, all have been credited in taking the approach Milsap brought to country music. Known as the pre-eminent country soul singer of his generation, Milsap continues to captivate sold-out crowds all over the world. Don’t miss out on what will truly be a night to remember, up close and personal, in the Exhibit Hall!
Location – Exhibit Hall/ Tickets are $44/ Showtime: 8pm/ All Ages www.ronniemilsap.com
Tickets can be purchased online, by calling 888-887-5687, x5246 or stop by the Casino Gift Shop.