Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival Announces Music Lineup

From Melody’s Ad Works, Inc.: Neon Friday and Rocking Wine Country Saturday lineups were recently announced by the 2017 Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival Association. The 34-year-old event returns to Lake Skinner Recreation Area, June 2-4, 2017.

Neon Friday, a totally awesome Back to the 80s extravaganza includes lead singers from The Motels, Nu Shooz, Gene Loves Jezebel, Pretty Poison, Bow Wow Wow, Dramarama, and Tommy Tutone. Saturday rocks with Bush, Gin Blossoms, Tonic, and Jazz saxophonist Mindi Abair & the Boneshakers.

The Motels, a new wave and alternative rock band, had a string of hits from 1979 to 1987 including "Only the Lonely," "Suddenly Last Summer," and "Remember the Nights." Nu Shooz, hit its stride with songs "I Can't Wait," "Point of No Return," and "Are You Looking for Someone Nu." From across the pond, Gene Loves Jezebel's top hits in both the United Kingdom and the United States "Jealous," "Joesphina," "Bruises," "The Cow," and "Desire."

Dramarama is best known for the 1985 hit "Anything, Anything (I'll Give You)", which was featured on the "Nightmare on Elm Street 4." Annabella, lead singer of Bow Wow Wow will bring their biggest hit "I Want Candy" to the stage. One-hit stars of the 80s included in the lineup are Pretty Poison, "Catch Me (I'm Falling,)" and Tommy TuTone "867-5309."

Saturday will Rock with 1990s and 2000s bands Bush, Gin Blossoms and Tonic. Bush, formed by Gavin Rossdale and Nigel Pulsford in 1992, has an amazing string of 18 consecutive Top 40 hit singles on the Modern Rock and Mainstream Rock charts, including 11 that hit the Top 5. No. 1 hits include “Comedown,” “Glycerin,” “Machinehead,” “Swallowed,” “The Chemicals Between Us” and “The Sound of Winter.” As a solo artist, Rossdale hit No. 1 on iTunes with “Love Remains The Same,” which sold close to 2 million copies alone. Their latest album "Black and White Rainbows," breaks March 10th. In between recording and touring, Rossdale is an actor. Roles include 2013’s "The Bling Ring," "The Game of Their Lives," in which he had a starring role alongside Gerard Butler, and 2005’s "Constantine," opposite Keanu Reeves and Rachel Weisz.

Gin Blossoms makes their third return to the Festival stage. A band that is always requested by Festival fans, Gin Blossoms has a slew of hits including "Hey Jealousy," "Follow You Down," "Found Out About You," and "Til I Hear It From You." The Gin Blossoms are releasing their 1990s albums "New Miserable Experience" and "Congratulations. I'm Sorry" on vinyl, March 24, 2017.

Tonic, formed in 1993, had two Grammy nominations, with its debut album "Lemon Parade" which reached platinum status. The single from the album "If You Could Only See" reached No. 11 on the Billboard Airplay Hot 100. Their single "You Wanted More" from the 1999 album "Sugar" appeared on the original soundtrack for the movie "American Pie."

Also appearing on Saturday on the wine garden stage, are Mindi Abair and the Boneshakers. A two-time Grammy nominee, Mindi Abair has made her mark as one of the most recognizable saxophonists in the US. She was known as the saxophonist of American Idol and is also the only saxophonist to tour with rock legends Aerosmith since 1973. Most recently she received a 2015 Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album for her solo CD Wild Heart featuring friends Gregg Allman, Joe Perry, Trombone Shorty, Booker T. Jones, Keb’ Mo’, and Max Weinberg. Sunday Country Funday's lineup will be announced later.

The Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival features dawn hot air balloon launches Saturday & Sunday, free morning tethered rides (weather permitting), premium wine tasting, microbrew tasting, food and wine pairing, chef demonstrations and beer and food pairing, as well as a full international food court, arts and crafts, and a kids faire. Friday and Saturdayevenings also feature the popular evening balloon glow (weather permitting.) DJ Pasha closes the nights out with a dance party at the Wine Garden stage.

Check www.tvbwf.com for scheduled times and activities or call (951) 676-6713. Hot air balloon flights, tethers and evening glows are subject last minute cancellations due to weather.

Images via Melody’s Ad Works, Inc.