(Wilco)
The first annual BeachLife Ranch Country & Americana Festival debuted September 16-18 with thousands in attendance for the music and lifestyle extravaganza held on the beautiful Pacific Ocean waterfront in Redondo Beach, CA.
BeachLife Ranch featured a one-of-a-kind music lineup spanning country, folk and rock including: The Lumineers, Daryl Hall & John Oates, Brandi Carlile, Dierks Bentley, Ashley McBryde, Wilco, Old Crow Medicine Show, Lukas Nelson & Promise Of The Real, The Infamous Stringdusters, Cam, Chris Shiflett, The White Buffalo, Drive-By Truckers, Maddie & Tae, Jamestown Revival, Waxahatchee, Pete Yorn, Greensky Bluegrass, John Doe Folk Trio and more. The festival also offered unique activations fitting to the Ranch brand, such as a 4000 square foot line dancing barn and a mechanical bull, thanks to Tito’s Handmade Vodka. BeachLife Ranch also offered BBQ and food trucks galore, a 21Seeds tequila & margarita Cantina, “Camp Jack” from Jack Daniel’s featuring exclusive whiskey tastings, shopping from local artisan vendors and CA lifestyle brands like Aviator Nation & Outerknown, and the 6666 Grit & Glory SpeakEasy stage featuring intimate unplugged performances.
In addition, the very special Songs Of Waylon Jennings set featured Shooter Jennings performing his father’s classic music alongside friends Chris Shiflett (Foo Fighters), Devon Allman, Lukas Nelson, The White Buffalo, Gethen Jenkins, Pearl Aday, Jessi Colter (Shooter’s mother and Waylon’s wife and collaborator), and several other very special guests celebrating Waylon Jennings, the pioneer of Outlaw Country. The all-star group was backed by Mike & The Moonpies for the performance.
(Shooter Jennings & Lukas Nelson)
A highlight of the set was Shooter Jennings and Lukas Nelson performing “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys,” recreating the duet made famous by their fathers Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson. Watch a snippet of that performance HERE.
The full set list for Songs Of Waylon Jennings at BeachLife Ranch was as follows (including information on the Waylon album where each song appeared):
“Lonesome, On’ry And Mean” – Gethen Jenkins – from Lonesome, On’ry And Mean
“I Can Get Off On You” – Strange Majik (David Pattillo) – from Waylon & Willie
“You Asked Me To” – Pearl Aday– from Honky Tonk Heroes
“Just To Satisfy You” – John Brennan – from Just To Satisfy You
“I’ve Always Been Crazy” – Chris Shiflett (Foo Fighters) – from I’ve Always Been Crazy
“Only Daddy That’ll Walk The Line” – Devon Allman – from Only The Greatest
“Stop The World (And Let Me Off)” – John Doe – from Folk-Country
“Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” – Shooter Jennings & Lukas Nelson – from Waylon & Willie
“Waymore’s Blues” – James and The Shame – from Dreaming My Dreams
“Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)” – The White Buffalo – from Ol’ Waylon
“Six Strings Away” – Hellbound Glory (Leroy Virgil) – from Jewels
“I Ain’t Livin’ Long Like This” – Orville Peck – from What Goes Around Comes Around
“Belle Of The Ball” – Shooter Jennings – from Ol’ Waylon
“Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues” – Shooter Jennings – from Lonesome, On’ry And Mean
Here are comments from Shooter Jennings and some of the other musicians who participated in the tribute:
“I’ve been a part of a billion Waylon tribute type things, always as more of a representative of it than anything. But, with this idea, Allen and BeachLife gave me an opportunity to turn around and give people – who truly cared for my Dad – an opportunity to give thanks. It touched everyone there on and off stage. BeachLife gave us the perfect setting to really see how much these folks cared for my dad’s music.”
– Shooter Jennings
“Whew! The Waylon Jennings Tribute set at BeachLife Ranch was one for the ages! Nothing but camaraderie and the love of the music. Shooter was a great host and BeachLife the perfect setting. The house band, Mike & the Moonpies, nailed every cut and it was an honor to be among the guests.”
– Devon Allman
“It was such a magical evening and a true honor to sing the warm songs of Waylon with friends and comrades. Thanks, Shooter.”
– The White Buffalo
“Hearing these songs back to back with these legendary cats singing was elating. And the best part…it was all Shooter’s friends! On stage it felt like a family picnic with the kids crisscrossing around, then Jessi Colter steps in and nails it like she did in 1975. Beyond my expectations. It was a big sea of love and joy coming back to me.”
– Strange Majik (David Pattillo)
Here’s a sample of media praise for BeachLife Ranch:
“The Ranch offered an array of memorable performances celebrating its theme…” – JamBands.com, September 19, 2022
“Between good music, good vibes and great friends, this festival captures the best of what a country music festival is.” – All Country News, September 20, 2022
“Under sunny skies and mild and comfortable weather, thousands of alternative country music fans came to the beach for the inaugural three-day BeachLife Ranch country and Americana festival…” – Southern California News Group / Daily Breeze, September 17, 2022
“Individual highlights were a shimmering ‘California Stars’ from Wilco and a throat-catching ‘The Story’ from closer Brandi Carlile…BeachLife Ranch is already booking for 2023 and I’ll be back.” – No Depression, September 27, 2022
The philanthropic mission for September’s BeachLife Ranch was simple: support the local and national nonprofits dedicated to the health and well-being of veterans and community…and they did just that. Ticket donations, onsite fundraising efforts and a silent auction filled with autographed memorabilia from artists including The Lumineers, Wilco, Brandi Carlile, Dierks Bentley and more contributed to the more than $70,000 raised. BeachLife Ranch also partnered with the LA Kings and Kings Care Foundation, who made generous contributions to both the auction and BeachLife Ranch’s nonprofit partners. This year’s partners included: US VETS, Semper Fi & America’s Fund, The Venice Family Clinic, the Redondo Beach Police Foundation and the Kings Care Foundation.
The philanthropic presence onsite at BeachLife Ranch was a welcome addition to the weekend for both the nonprofits and festival patrons. The Yonder Stage supported St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and their Music Gives Program. A number of artists were spotted wearing their signature “This Shirt Saves Lives” t-shirt, while the festival grounds hosted numerous activations from raffles to various onsite games and prizes…all in the name of helping others!
BeachLife Festival is currently gearing up for its fourth edition in May 2023, with more fun, games and surprises ahead. Stay tuned…
