RANCHO MURIETA, CA (MPG) - The Cripple Creek Band delivered a crowd-pleasing performance of its Southern rock-inspired country music to a sold-out audience at the Clementia Amphitheater on July 5.

The show marked the second concert of the season presented by Entertainment, Theater & Culture for Rancho Murieta and the band’s third appearance at an ETC event.

Board President and emcee JT Turner said the band brought the house down. 

“Their energy, musicianship and connection with the crowd were off the charts,” he said. “They gave us a night to remember.”

Another memorable moment came before the performance, when Turner asked all past and present members of the military to stand. He then invited their families, friends and supporters to join them, prompting nearly the entire audience to rise. A strong sense of patriotism filled the amphitheater as Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the U.S.A.” played and the crowd sang along.

The culmination was a dramatic flyover by Rick Launey’s experimental plane, “Miss America,” trailing fluffy smoke above the venue.

“Last year we had to skip it due to the heat,” Turner said. “When she’s up there, we all feel like the skies are celebrating.”

Launey, contacted afterward, said he’s been flying over Rancho Murieta for a dozen years as part of the July 4 festivities. 

“It’s a wonderful thing for the community to celebrate our history,” he said.

Students from the Murieta Dance Company performed a lyrical piece titled “The Dance.” Director Doreen Zimmermann said she gave the song to her Contemporary/Lyrical Choreography team in January, challenging them to create their own routine based on what they had learned. 

“I loved seeing them using the tools they were learning,” she said. “It was so fun.”

The Cripple Creek Band first appeared at an ETC concert in 2016, sharing the stage with a Taylor Swift tribute band. Since then, they’ve performed at various local events, including shows at Rancho Murieta Community Church, private parties, the Gold Rush Classic golf tournament and fundraisers for the Murieta Bulldogs traveling baseball team.

The band also performed for ETC last year, with tickets selling out in record time. Despite the record-breaking heat in 2024, nearly everyone who purchased a ticket showed up. 

This year, the weather was far more comfortable, to the extent that several attendees came prepared with sweaters or blankets.

The band’s playlist showcased the influence of country and Southern rock artists like Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Eagles, Zac Brown and John McLellan. Even Jimi Hendrix’s “Purple Haze” was reimagined with a country twist.

The packed dance floor erupted in song when the band launched into its catchy version of “Wagon Wheel” by Darius Rucker. At the crowd’s insistence – complete with pounding on the stage – the band returned for two encores: “Revival” by Zach Bryan and the classic “Free Bird” by Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Unlike last year, the band performed only two original songs: a decision that band manager Steve Mendiola jokingly attributed to drummer Travis Simas. 

“We let Travis pick the songs because it was kind of his hometown show,” he said.

Simas, who lived in Rancho Murieta for 10 years before moving to Sloughhouse last year, said after the show, “I love it here. I love the energy.”

“Rancho Murieta is about as rowdy as it gets,” added lead guitarist Stephen Kidd. “We love playing here.”

Turner had the last word about the band’s performance. 

“They had the crowd on their feet from start to finish,” he said. “Their blend of country rock and high-energy stage presence created the perfect summer concert vibe.”