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Description
Rocking the Racetrack - Kentucky Headhunters
Get ready for an unforgettable night of music and entertainment as we present Rocking the Racetrack - The Kentucky Headhunters. This event promises a night full of energy, rhythms, and melodies.
The Kentucky Headhunters created a hybrid of honky tonk, blues, and Southern rock that appealed to fans of both rock and country music. The origins of the Kentucky Headhunters lie in 1968, when Fredand Richard Young began playing together with their cousins Greg Martin and Anthony Kenney at the Youngs' grandmother's house. Mark Orr also later joined them. The first incarnation of the band was called the Itchy Brothers, and the group played together informally for over a decade. After about 13 years, the band members began launching separate careers: Richard Young went off to write songs for Acuff-Rose, while Fred Young began touring with country beauty Sylvia. Martin became a member of Ronnie McDowell's band, while Kenney dropped out of music. In 1985, Martin decided to reassemble the Itchy Brothers. When Kenney declined to rejoin the group, Martin remembered Doug Phelps, whom he had met while on tour with McDowell. Phelps joined the new project, which was named the Kentucky Headhunters. Besides Martin and Phelps, the band also included the Young brothers and Doug's brother Ricky Lee Phelps.
The Headhunters started playing twice monthly on The Chitlin' Show, a program on Munfordville, Kentucky radio station WLOC. From these 90-minute performances, the Headhunters built up a following. They sent an eight-song demo to Mercury, and soon after, the label signed the group. The original demo tape was remixed, and became the basis of the band's first album, 1989's Pickin' on Nashville, which received overwhelmingly positive reviews upon its release and quickly became a hit. "Dumas Walker" reached number 15 in the spring of 1990, followed by the group's biggest hit, the number six "Oh, Lonesome Me." In 1991, the Headhunters released their second effort, Electric Barnyard. The album received mixed reviews, couldn't muster a single, and sold weakly. In summer 1992, the Phelps brothers left the group to form Brothers Phelps, a more traditional country group.
The remaining Headhunters brought ex-Itchy Brothers Anthony Kenney and Mark Orr to the group, and the rehashed lineup released Rave On! in 1993. The album marked a progression toward bluesy Southern rock, which came to fruition later that same year with That'll Work, a collaboration with former Chuck Berry pianist Johnnie Johnson. In 1996, Doug returned on lead vocals, and a year later the band issued Stompin' Grounds. Songs from the Grass String Ranch followed in 2000, and Soul appeared in spring 2003. Big Boss Man was released in 2005 and Flying Under the Radar in 2006, both from CBUJ Entertainment. Dixie Lullabies, the group's 12th album, and first studio recording of new original material since 2003, appeared from Red Dirt Records in 2011. In 2015, the Headhunters released another collaborative album with Johnnie Johnson, Meet Me in Bluesland, drawn from unissued sessions recorded in 2003, two years before Johnson's death. Just before entering the studio to record their next studio LP, bandmates Richard and Fred Young lost their father. That loss, combined with the excitement of the band's first European tour, added an emotional poignancy to On Safari, which was released in 2016.
Venue
Hay Creek Entertainment is thrilled to host this incredible event at the beautiful Running Aces Casino, Hotel & Racetrack located in the heart of Columbus, Minnesota. Running Aces Casino, Hotel & Racetrack is a cutting-edge, Las Vegas-style card room with family friendly live horse racing, trout fishing, great dining, year-round Simulcast wagering, and a full-service hotel.
About the Event
Since its debut in 2021, Rocking the Racetrack, presented by Hay Creek Entertainment, has quickly become a cherished summer tradition at Running Aces Casino, Hotel & Racetrack. Now in its third year, the event takes place on select weekends in June, July, and August, bringing live music to the racetrack’s vibrant atmosphere. While the concerts don't coincide with the horse races, the venue’s rich racing heritage adds a unique backdrop to the performances. Each concert features a different headliner, offering a dynamic mix of music genres—from rock to country to pop—ensuring there’s something for every music lover. As the event grows in popularity, it draws larger crowds each year, attracting attendees not only from the local community but from surrounding areas as well. Rocking the Racetrack has become a key highlight of the summer, offering a one-of-a-kind experience where fans can enjoy an exciting concert at an iconic location. Presented by Hay Creek Entertainment, the series continues to be one of the region’s most anticipated events, providing an unforgettable blend of music, entertainment, and fun at Running Aces Casino, Hotel & Racetrack.
Date & Time
Fri, Jun 20, 2025 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Venue Details
Running Aces Casino, Hotel & Racetrack
15201 Running Aces BoulevardColumbus, Minnesota 55025
