The Egg Presents: Pure Prairie League/The Champagne Poneys

With support from The Champagne Poneys of Catskill, NY

From their beginnings in mid-Sixties Ohio as a group of friends playing cover tunes to the present-day unit featuring the propulsive team of drummer Brian Czach and bassist Jared Camic, Keyboard Master James Sonnentag, pedal steel guitarist and saxophonist John David Heinrich and guitar Ace/vocalist Jeff Zona, PURE PRAIRIE LEAGUE continues to embellish the rich 50-plus year history of one of Country-Rock’s pioneering forces. As one reviewer recently wrote: “PPL’s sound combines sweet memories with edgy, contemporary muscle. Their vocals are as strong as Kentucky moonshine and the musicianship and performance skills are as sharp as a straight razor”. 

Their eponymous first album – featuring the Norman Rockwell/Saturday Evening Post cover that introduced fans to PPL’s trademark cowpoke “Sad Luke” – has been hailed as a “major early influence in the emerging popularity of Country-Rock music”. Their second effort, the multi-platinum “Bustin’ Out” brought us the Craig Fuller-penned classic “Amie”, along with other gems of the genre. With “Two Lane Highway”, ten more albums and countless shows, a legacy has been forged and enriched, highlighting contributions from several noteworthy members, including original co-founder George Ed Powell, Cincinnati’s legendary Goshorn Brothers, Country Hall of Famers Gary Burr and Vince Gill, award-winning writer Jeff Wilson (3 Top-20 singles), top Nashville session vocalist Curtis Wright and a host of other guest appearances from Chet Atkins, Johnny Gimble, EmmyLou Harris, David Sanborn, Eagle Don Felder, Nicolette Larson, Rosemary Butler, Jenifer Wrinkle, Jeff (Birdman) Kirk, Mat Britain and many more. 

Now in their sixth decade, PURE PRAIRIE LEAGUE continues to lead the way for the new generation of Country/Rockers such as Keith Urban, Nickel Creek, Wilco, Counting Crows and so many others that cite PPL as a major influence. 

Now, with the release of their new album “Back On Track”, PPL brings it all back home with a dozen new songs that complete the circle begun in 1970 and continues to this day.

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The Champagne Poneys are a vocal trio rooted in the Hudson Valley at the foot of the Catskill Mountains. A breeze of “wildflower country”, their sound is fresh yet steeped in the bright lights and big hearts of country & western, folk, and honky-tonk traditions. With thrilling three-part harmonies and lilting vocal precision, the trio is fronted by Holland Belle, Allison Godleski, and Helen Rose. The story of The Champagne Poneys began one wintery evening in a dusty backyard barn in upstate NY. Rehearsal was in full swing for a Lucinda Williams tribute performance put together by Helen. Allison and Holland showed up to sing a few songs and someone suggested that the group try an improvised harmony arrangement of Lucinda’s “Fruits of My Labor.” The girls had barely met one another, but the musical chemistry was immediate.

Today, the Poneys are known to effortlessly capture a room with their original songs and inspire dancing even in the most stubborn of souls. The trio is supported by an airtight, sparkling country band, featuring Kramer Sanguinetti on pedal steel and electric guitar, Lee Godleski on bass, and Ryan MacLean on drums and mandolin. They are an undeniably groovin’ country band that has ignited dance floors across the northeast earning them opening spots with top roots acts like Mama’s Broke and The DesLondes. The Champagne Poneys will release their debut EP on Friday Dec 4th on Misery Mother Records.