While we’re celebrating Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard performing here this weekend, it is not the first time that nationally renowned bands have played at the County Fairgrounds.
In 1983, the Grateful Dead performed at the Fairgrounds. “What a pretty venue, nice grass framed by pine trees. Barefoot hippies everywhere! Show was good from what my foggy memory recalls, especially after someone dosed my nachos!” recalls Jim. Added Perrin: “Hi-spirited playing by Jerry!”
In 1984, the Fairgrounds hosted more national talent.
“Crosby Stills & Nash in concert as part of the outdoor Sierra Sun Music Festival held in Grass Valley on the Nevada County Fairgrounds on Sunday, September 9, 1984,” reads another promotion. “Featured opening acts were Los Lobos, the Blasters, John Lee Hooker and Tania Maris! I was the production manager and publicist for this festival”
It was a raucous affair, however. “Freedom Of Choice Including Music!” handbill put out after the show because of a meeting of the Nevada County Board of Supervisors to discuss the idea of banning Rock concerts at the Fairgrounds!”
“Crosby, Stills, Nash jam, traffic too” reads one newspaper headline. “Several arrests in wake of concert,” reads another.
No such trouble on Friday night. Times have changed.
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Those were some good times and great concerts. I scraped together $15 and purchased a ticket from Mary Ellen at Foggy Mountain Music.
Last nights Willie Nelson gig was managed and staged to perfection – well done Center for the Arts and Land Trust!
Great times indeed! CSN are touring again. Love to have them back. I wonder if Further will make it around here.
I worked for Michael Goldman of Sierra Sun Music when he was putting on concerts in Nevada County. If I recall his first show was Maria Muldaur at the Grass Valley Memorial Veteran’s Hall in the early 80s. Michael put on shows at the fairgrounds and he did a Dead show at Boreal Ridge in 1985. Billed as the Highest Grateful Dead show in the world. Trip and slide! I worked VIP for all the shows except the first Maria Muldaur show. Most of the people Michael hired for shows would take the T-shirts he gave and bolt for a free show. My friends I decided to get the T-shirt and stay get paid and watch the show. It as great fun and we got to meet lots of artists like CSN, the tubes, the Band and many others. Love to see more shows like those in the 80s at the fairgrounds.
I worked for Micheal Goldman as well , VIP and security , good times , he used any venue that he thought would work but the fallout from the Grateful Dead show he did at the fairgrounds was huge. The fairgrounds is outside of GV city limits but a lot of locals freaked out with all the dead heads cruising downtown after the show. I swear the letters to the Union went on for months.. haha. He wised up and did the next Grateful Dead show at Boreal ski resort.
We might have worked together Cliff. I enjoyed the Dead show at the Fairgrounds more than the show at Boreal. The main reason was we had to work VIP at Boreal and spent the whole show in the lodge behind the stage. Our good friend was selected to sit on the stage as part of the security and he had a much better time.