Rhinestone Rodeo brings a mix of pop hits and country favorites to Rancho Murieta on Sept. 5 for the finale of ETC's 25th-anniversary concert season. Photo courtesy of ETC

RANCHO MURIETA, CA (MPG) - With a mix of country favorites and pop hits, Rhinestone Rodeo brought singing, dancing and a spirited finish to Entertainment, Theatre & Culture’s 25th anniversary concert season Sept. 5.

ETC President Jeremy Turner said the Utah band drew a strong turnout for the season finale, with an enthusiastic amphitheater audience engaged from beginning to end.

“Being our final concert of the season made the evening feel a little extra special,” he said.

The band’s promotional material posed the question, “Pop or Country? Why not both?!” Turner said the performance delivered on that promise, pairing the country sound concertgoers expected with enough variety to appeal to a broader audience.

“Their musicianship, vocals and stage presence were outstanding,” he said.

Rhinestone Rodeo has won two Utah Best of State awards, in the party/cover band and specialty act categories. Its blend of pop and country encourages audiences to sing and dance along — a response Turner said was evident throughout the evening.

One standout was the band’s rendition of “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.”

“That’s not an easy song to pull off live, and they absolutely nailed it,” Turner said. “It was definitely one of those moments that grabbed the crowd’s attention.”

He also singled out a tribute to Dolly Parton, praising the band’s celebration of her music and legacy.

“Dolly’s music has meant so much to so many people over the years, and I thought Rhinestone Rodeo handled the tribute beautifully,” he said.

Throughout the concert, Turner heard positive comments about the band as audience members sang along and danced.

For Turner, the evening also offered a chance to reflect on the board members, volunteers, sponsors and community supporters who helped make ETC’s anniversary season possible.

“Every concert has its own personality, and Rhinestone Rodeo gave us exactly what you hope for in a season finale — a great band, a great crowd and a whole lot of fun,” he said.

Seeing concertgoers enjoying the evening together reinforced why the organization puts so much effort into its events, Turner said.

“More than anything, I’m just incredibly grateful for the continued support this community gives ETC,” he said. “We couldn’t do any of this without them.”