News and Media

THE SHOWGROUNDS AT SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK ANNOUNCES 2009 CONCERT LINE UP

Houston’s Favorite Outdoor Entertainment Venue To Host Variety of Country, Classic Rock and Alt Rock Acts, Festivals and More Beginning May 2009

HOUSTON (March 18, 2009)—The Showgrounds at Sam Houston Race Park (www.theshowgrounds.com) and Live Nation (www.livenation.com) announce the 2009 Verizon Wireless Summer Concert Series.

The 2009 Verizon Wireless Summer Concert series on the Bud Light stage, which takes place most Saturdays May through August 2009, will feature general admission tickets for $15; as well as a $69 Fun 4-Pack, just $17.50 per person, which includes 4 concert and racing admission passes, 2 live racing programs, 4 hot dogs and 4 sodas.   New this year to the venue is a $99 Showgrounds Season Pass which provides one general admission ticket to each of the Saturday post-race concert events (excluding festivals).  Tickets will be available beginning Saturday, March 21 at 10 a.m.  Highlights for May include:

May 2 - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts with special guests The Smithereens
May 9 - Ghostland Observatory
May 16 - Jason Aldean w/Ryan Beaver
May 23 - The Point Birthday Bash featuring The Lost 80s Tour: Flock of Seagulls,
When in Rome, Dramarama & Gene Loves Jezebel
May 30 - Kevin Fowler w/Mark McKinney

Additional performances will be announced soon.

“We had another successful concert season in 2008, and continue to learn more about what Houstonians really want from their concert experience,” stated Andrea Young, President and Chief Operating Officer, Sam Houston Race Park.  “We have refined our line up and continue to build our product by booking top name country, classic rock and alt rock acts as well as large-scale festival events.”

Young continued, “Since Houstonians are focused on getting more value for their dollar in this economic environment and will still look for fun things to do with friends and family on the weekends, we are offering more multi-act shows, lower ticket prices and special value packages that include food and drinks.  The $99 season pass, which provides a ticket to all the concerts over the course of the summer and access to racing all summer long, may be the best value for your entertainment dollar in the city!”

The 2009 line up will also include high-profile festivals and special events including Fall Out Boy (April 18-on sale now); Cinco de Mayo (May 3); Fiestas Patrias; and the annual July 4th Extravaganza.  The Showgrounds will be home to a new festival on April 25 as part of the 2009 festival line up.  Details to be announced soon.
Concert tickets provide FREE admission to The Park’s “Value Day” which features live races every Saturday, entertainment, free giveaways, carnival rides, a sand box area for kids, midway games, Verizon Wireless misting tent, interactive vendor booths and a variety of hot food off the grill, beers of the world, frozen margaritas and more on the Pavilion Trackside Patio. 

Tickets are available online beginning Saturday, March 21 at 10 a.m. at www.theshowgrounds.com, www.livenation.com, at participating Houston-area Randalls locations, The Showgrounds box office or by calling 800-211-3381.
 
Live Nation is the future of the music business.  With the most live concerts, music venues and festivals in the world and the most comprehensive concert search engine on the web, Live Nation is revolutionizing the music industry: onstage and online.  Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Live Nation is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, trading under the symbol “LYV.”   Additional information about the company can be found at www.livenation.com under the “About Us” section.

The Showgrounds at Sam Houston Race Park is Houston’s favorite outdoor entertainment venue featuring performances from national recording artists across all genres of music, as well as high-profile festivals and special events.  The all-ages venue will host annual Country, Classic Rock and Alt Rock concert events throughout the year.  For more information on upcoming shows, events and tickets, please visit www.theshowgrounds.com or call 800-211-3381.