Ricky Nelson Remembered 2010 Tour Schedule
Their songs transcend time. Matthew and Gunnar Nelson, revered for unforgettable past hits, explore fresh creative territory in the present. Magically melodic songwriting and soaring sibling harmonies ensure that this pair will be a vital part of the music scene’s future.
Their famed blond locks have been shortened, but their appeal is proving greater than ever. The twin sons of rock ‘n’ roll icon Rick Nelson had spent the past six years honing their sound in Nashville, woodshedding with some of Music City USA’s best lyricists, and adding what they’ve learned to their own mastery of contemporary pop melody.
The resultant material is mature, yet youthfully exuberant. It meshes the power pop that launched them to multi-platinum status, the country rock their father pioneered, and a boldly modern touch that has always been at the forefront of popular music’s appeal. It’s majestic arena groove-rock for the 21st century.
Due to unending requests, they’ve worked some Rick Nelson classics into their set. They perform them with respect and enthusiasm. “We figured it’s up to us to help keep his music alive,” Gunnar says. “Not only is it a true pleasure to play these great songs that people love, but it makes us feel profoundly closer to our best friend -- our father.”
All Dates Subject to Change
Date Details Coming Soon!
Saturday, 12/26/2009
Lake Tahoe, NVHarrah's Lake Tahoe
Ricky Nelson Remembered
Sun - Tues, 01/10/10 - 01/12/10
Green Bay, WI Oneida Casino
Ricky Nelson Remembered
Friday, 01/29/10
Coachella, CASpotlight29 Casino
NELSON Rock Band
Thursday, 02/25/10
Redondo Beach, CABrixton South Bay
Ricky Nelson Remembered
Friday, 02/26/10
San Juan Capistrano, CAThe Coach House
Ricky Nelson Remembered
Saturday, 02/27/10
Agoura Hills, CAThe Canyon Club
Ricky Nelson Remembered
Wednesday, 04/07/10
Bozeman, MTvenue to be announced
Ricky Nelson Remembered
Fri. - Sun. 04/16/10 - 04/18/10
Orlando, FLEpcot Flower Power Concert Series
Ricky Nelson Remembered
Fri. - Sat. 04/29/10 - 04/30/10
Manistee, MILittle River Casino
Ricky Nelson Remembered
Thurs. 07/08/10
Sawyer, NDThunder Mountain Rockfest
NELSON Rock Band
Mon. 08/02/10
Ocean City, NJStockton PAC
Ricky Nelson Remembered
Sat. 09/11/10
Roscommon, MIKirtland PAC
Ricky Nelson Remembered
Fri. 09/24/10
Henderson, NVvenue to be announced
Ricky Nelson Remembered
Sat. 09/25/10
Durango, COFt Lewis College PAC
Ricky Nelson Remembered
Fri. 11/05/10
Red Cloud, NERed Cloud Opera House
Ricky Nelson Remembered
Sat. 11/06/10
McPherson, KSMcPherson Opera House
Ricky Nelson Remembered
Sun. 11/07/10
Witchita, KSBuell Theater
Ozzie Nelson realized that whenever he had Ricky sing on their show The Adventures Of Ozzie And Harriet, Ricky's record sales shot up the next day. So Ozzie tried to work it into the plot whenever Ricky had a new record out. As Ricky became popular and the demand for his songs was overwhelming, Ozzie realized that working his singing into the plot was going to be impossible, so Ozzie filmed Ricky singing "Travelin' Man," superimposed some travelogue scenes over the film and tacked it onto a show episode at the end. Viola! The music video was born.
"Travelin' Man" was written by Jerry Fuller. There was a park close to where his wife worked,and everyday when he went to pick her up he'd take his guitar, sit in the park and write songs while he waited for her. He'd been thinking about writing a song about a man who traveled all over the world and one day took a World Atlas along with him to go over the countries in it. The song was written in about 20 minutes. And, yes, it was first offered to Sam Cooke's manager but he turned it down. Rick's bass player, Joe Osborne, had been in the next room of the record company and heard it. He asked Cooke's manager if he could hear it again, and the man said: "Here, you can have it." It was one of Rick's biggest hits and stayed on the Charts for 4 months.
I'm a travelin' man
And I've made a lot of stops all over the world
And in every port I own the heart
Of at least one lovely girlI've a pretty Seniorita waitin' for me
Down in old Mexico
If you're ever in Alaska stop and see
My cute little Eskimo
Oh my sweet Fraulien down in Berlin town
Makes my heart start to yearn
And my China doll down in old Hong Kong
Waits for my return
Pretty Polynesian baby over the sea
I remember the night
When we walked in the sands of Waikiki
And I held you oh so tight
Oh my sweet Fraulien down in Berlin town
Makes my heart start to yearn
And my China doll down in old Hong Kong
Waits for my return
Pretty Polynesian baby over the sea
I remember the night
When we walked in the sands of Waikiki
And I held you oh so tight
Oh, I'm a travelin' man
Yes, I'm a travelin' man
Oh, I'm a travelin' man
Mmmmm....
In any event, Gunnar and Matthew are currently on tour with the RICKY NELSON REMEMBERED show - a multimedia tribute show featuring live renditions of Ricks hits, as well as never before seen footage of the Nelson family with interviews from celebrities influenced by Ricky Nelson. The show appeals to a wide audience and multiple generations and 2010 will mark the 25th anniversary of Rick Nelson's passing with that tragic New Year's Eve plane crash.
Rick Nelson was born Eric Hilliard Nelson in 1940. He died in a small plane crash in Texas in 1985 while flying to a New Year's Eve concert. Mechanical problems and a cabin fire were suspected as the cause of the crash. Speculation that the fire was caused by someone on board freebasing cocaine was never proven, though aerosol cans were found at the crash site. The Nelson family said that the cans were part of the makeup box and that no drugs were involved. The matter was never completely resolved.
