For more than a decade, I Bar Ranch has been creating the kind of concert memories often reserved for big-city venues — unforgettable summer nights when big-name bands took the stage and the Gunnison Valley came alive.
Since The Bellamy Brothers kicked off the ranch’s concert series in 2013, an impressive lineup has followed, including Wynonna Judd, Charlie Daniels Band, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Diamond Rio, The Wailers, Los Lobos, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Yonder Mountain String Band, Leftover Salmon, Little Texas and dozens more spanning country, rock, bluegrass, reggae and Americana.
Some performances have become part of I Bar Ranch folklore.
Head Wrangler Bryan Wickenhauser (Wick) still laughs about The Bellamy Brothers’ tour bus getting stuck in the mud after that first concert.
He remembers booking Cody Johnson just before the singer became a country music superstar, and hosting Charlie Daniels less than a year before the legendary musician’s passing.
Then there was Michael Franti & Spearhead, whose 2022 concert welcomed more than 1,900 fans for the largest crowd in ranch history.
Many artists have returned to the ranch multiple times, which Wick said was a testament to its welcoming atmosphere and enthusiastic audiences.
The concerts have become more than entertainment. They allow local residents to see major acts without traveling to larger cities while bringing visitors who fill restaurants, hotels and shops throughout the valley.
“Locals don’t have to spend extra gas, lodging and time away for a great concert experience,” Wick said. “They can be back in their own bed right after the show.”
With Little Feat, The Wailers and other performances still ahead this season, I Bar Ranch continues adding new names — and new memories — to its growing Hall of Fame.
I Bar Ranch is part of the Gunnison Country Times Community Connect sponsored content program.
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