LIVE REVIEW + PHOTOS: Pure Prairie League in Westerly, RI (12.13.25)
I was first introduced to Pure Prairie League in 1978 when they co-headlined with The Pousette-Dart Band at the University of Rhode Island. Being a teenager who grew up mostly on rock n’ roll, country rock was a foreign genre to me. But this new sound was smooth, fun, and engaging. It broadened my taste in music to a sound that eventually included many other artists. So, when I heard that they were performing in Rhode Island, I could not wait to relive their country rock style that opened my eyes to a new genre of music, so long ago.
Pure Prairie League began in 1970, and in 1975 the band produced their biggest hit single, ‘Amie,” that was first included on their 1972 album Bustin’ Out. It featured a Norman Rockwell Saturday Evening Post cover of a cowboy who had seen his share of time on the trails, named Sad Luke. To this day, Sad Luke continues to adorn the album covers of Pure Prairie League.
During the ‘70’s and ‘80’s, the band received many industry accolades. but disbanded in 1988, only to reform in 1998 with John David Call being the only returning original member. Some of the notable musicians that have played with Pure Prairie League include guitarists Vince Gill, Gary Burr, Curtis Wright, and even Mick Ronson, who was once a member of David Bowie’s The Spiders From Mars. Their albums have also included guest appearances by Chet Atkins, Johnny Gimble, Don Felder from The Eagles, and Emmylou Harris. Over the years, the band has evolved to its current line-up of drummer Scott Thompson, keyboardist/guitarist Randy Harper, guitarist Jeff Zona, bassist Jared Camic, and John Heinrich on steel guitar and saxophone.
Last week the current incarnation of the band was in New England for three shows. Their Westerly, Rhode Island performance, the second of those three shows, brought a crowd that was engaged throughout by singing along to many of their songs, as well as a few guests that even got out of their seats and danced up and down the aisles before returning to their seats to continue clapping and singing along. Check out photos from the second of those three below.
Pure Prairie League will return to New England next August with visits to Hampton Beach, NH (August 6th), Cohasset, MA (August 21st), and Webster, MA (August 23rd). Tickets for those shows are available – HERE.
Photos – Pure Prairie League at The United Theatre in Westerly, RI on December 13th:
