Born as Independence Day in the middle of 2000 only for fun and “get-togethers”, we decided after a few years to change the event name in Voghera Country Festival because it seemed right to pay tribute to the city of Voghera, which, among the way, is officially twinned with Cheyenne, Wyoming in the US, well known for the famous Frontier Days! What is not changed is our attention in giving you the best because you deserve the best. The Voghera Country Festival has become a reference point for the whole Italian country world and, after the success of previous editions, it confirms itself one of the biggest and most awaited festival at European level. The Formula chosen is successful: the right mix of dance and country music that combines the pleasure of listening to internationally renowned American artists to the pleasure of dance the country Line Dance, the Two Step, West Coast Swing, and the Catalan Style confronting the other European countries with dance competitions where, however, the last goal is to have fun.

Every year are selected the best Italian and foreign country DJs and are proposed Stage and Workshops with the most famous choreographers in order to offer to newcomers the opportunity to learn to dance on modern country music and to all the skilled dancers to update themselves with latest news and European trends.

To this explosive combination we add theme painting exhibition and free amateur photo contest.

To enrich the Festival you could find theme stands, the Park Cowboyland  for families and… on Saturday the fabulous Concert of the American star will be the cherry on top…..all this and more is the Voghera Country Festival !!!

The event sponsored by the city of Voghera, offers a varied entertainment program for everyone. It begins on Thursday evening with a kind of “OFF FESTIVAL” which offers at the Cowboys’ Saloon an exceptional live; while on Friday the festival officially opens its doors in the late afternoon with workshops, music selection by the DJs and the first big live on the main stage of Palatexas, then continue non-stop until Sunday evening.

Born in Australia (Traralgon 17/04/76 , roughly 150 km outside Melbourne), Gord moves to Alberta, Canada while still a child.
His mother (also a country singer), encourages her son to follow in her footsteps and pursue music professionally. Lo and behold, Gord’s self-produced debut single is well received by country radio worldwide. This initial success is shortly followed by his debut album, “God’s Green Earth”, which though acclaimed, does not yield the results Gord hopes for.
Realizing that the path to success leads to Nashville, he undergoes numerous trips to Tennessee, in hopes of having his talent as a singer/songwriter recognized by the country public at large. While in Music City, he hooks up with well know songwriter/producer Byron Hill (George Strait, Gary Allan, Randy Travis, Tracy Byrd, Clay Walker and many others).
This collaboration brings forth a slew of albums, which allow Gord to share the stage with the likes of Terri Clark, Tim McGraw and Kenny Rogers, thus solidifying a neo-traditionalist country career. He quickly becomes known for his fresh and adventurous style, which though strongly rooted in the genre, does not hold on to nostalgia.
On the heels of 7 full length musical masterpieces, Bamford releases “Neon Smoke” which will feature the chart topping single “Dive Bar”.
Known for being one of the most acclaimed Canadian country music artists, with 24 CCMA awards and numerous Juno nominations, Gord is the only Canadian artist to have twice won the CMA for Global Country Artist in 2013 and 2015.
Despite his success, Bamford does not forget those in need, and hence, following a benefit golf tournament, he decides to create the “Gord Bamford Charitable Foundation”. The latter boasts over 3 million dollars donated to such foundations as Make-A-Wish Foundation, Ronald McDonald House, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, not to mention numerous children’s hospitals in Canada.

Shortly after his birth in Memphis, Darryl’s family moved to Nashville and it was only in later life that he decided to make singing his career, songwriting being his initial focus and only then after having performed in numerous honky tonks between Tennessee and Alabama and taking diverse odd jobs which had little or nothing to do with music.
His first record deal with DreamWorks Records came around in 1999, adding his name to an already rich roster of artists such as Toby Keith, Randy Travis, Emerson Drive, Jessica Andrews and Jimmy Wayne. This first deal brings forth Darryl’s debut album Hard Rain Don’t Last, released in 2000 and produced by Frank Rogers (Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker, Josh Turner, Phil Vassar, Trace Adkins) and James Stroud (Clay Walker, Tracy Lawrence, Clint Black, Toby Keith, Lorrie Morgan). Reactions to this album are very positive, seeing as 3 of its 4 singles find their way into the Top 20 Us Country chart. Almost every song on the album is penned by Darryl himself and in his numerous interviews he cites Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, George Jones and Hank Williams as his idols and sources of inspiration.
The follow-up to this album sees the light exactly two years later and to this day is considered his masterpiece: I Miss My Friend (DreamWorks Nashville, 2002). In a brief space of time it hits the top of the Country Albums chart while the title track shares the same fate in the Singles Chart. Critics rave so much so that music journalist Maria Konicki has this to say: “Worley is a standout in a sea of country-pop wannabes”
At the end of 2002, Darryl undertakes a trip which will bring him to Afghanistan and Kuwait, where he will perform numerous times for the American troops there stationed ; the experience offers inspiration for songs that will make up his 3rd album, Have You Forgotten? (DreamWorks Nashville, 2003). With only 4 new unreleased tracks (the rest of the album is a best of his two previous outings), this album burns up the charts once again, taking number one spot in the Billboard Country Albums chart and number 4 in the Billboard top 200 behind such lofty names as Fleetwood Mac, 50 Cent and neo American Idol winner and soon to be superstar, Kelly Clarkson. Following its unveiling at the Grand Ole Opry, the title track soars to number one in the charts and stays there for seven consecutive weeks 2004 sees the release of Darryl’s fourth self-titled album, heralded by another single which rockets to number one in the Billboard Top 20 Country Chart (Awful, Beautiful Life). The album itself fairs less well cementing itself at number 12 in the Billboard Country Albums Chart.
Following this meteoric ascendancy, DreamWorks Records is forced to close its doors, forcing Darryl to find a new musical home with smaller labels, thus causing his later works to not receive the attention they deserve. He releases Here and Now in 2006, while 2009 while witnesses the release of his latest and most recent album Sounds Like Life. Both outings receive press praise though it is a far cry from the mainstream accolades he previously enjoyed, however his fans, still large in number stay loyal and supportive.
And so we come to today where Darryl’s work is split between his two passions : his own charitable organization(The Darryl Worley Foundation Inc.), which collects funds to fuel humanitarian projects and medical research, among these St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis. On the other hand, his love for music remains. He has recently released a new single, Lonely Alone, which is a prelude to a new album now in the works. Music journalists have always been extremely appraising of Darryl’s work, underlining his stylistic rigor and the humble yet strong and outspoken public figure he is.

Erica Sunshine Lee is “The hardest working woman in country music.” Sunshine is a prolific songwriter and Nashville Recording Artist and International touring ‘Georgia Gypsy.’ Sunshine just released her 8th original album titled “Buried Treasure,” penning all 12 brand new songs. Since 2007, Sunshine has been a full-time road warrior, performing 300 shows per year across Australia, Asia, New Zealand, Samoa, Fiji, Europe, and across the US including the world’s largest music festival SUMMERFEST in Milwaukee 3 years in a row. She has scored 2 Top 80 U.S. Music Row Singles, 3 top 10 Europe country singles and 1 Australian Top 20 single. A finalist for the 2015 Australian’s People’s Choice Award, Erica Sunshine Lee was 2014’s “Georgia Country Female Artist of the Year,” and has written songs for hundreds of US artists and Aussie artists Viper Creek Band, Whiskey Business, Mitchell Shadlow, Drēw McAlister, Lauren Wheatley, Ryan Morris and more. Sunshine has opened for country superstars Randy Houser, Maren Morris, Canaan Smith, Granger Smith, Cam, Drake White, Brett Eldredge, David Nail, David Allan Coe, & Jack Ingram, Dave Gibson and more, and shared the stage with legends Billy Gibbons, Tommy Tutone and John Michael Montgomery. Sunshine has performed at Australia’s Tamworth Country music festival 5 years running.
With a unique gritty country-rock alto voice, unfiltered, raw stories from in your face drinking/party songs to rip your heart out ballads, and catchy addictive hooks that linger in your head, Erica Sunshine Lee’s songwriting talent covers the spectrum from country to outlaw to pop, and keeps on impressing audiences worldwide with her authentic and prolific songwriting ability, magnetic personality and stage presence. Erica Sunshine Lee also recently produced East Tennessee’s rising star Reagan Willis’ debut EP “Like-Minded Strangers,” and penned all 5 songs.

Wynn Williams is an America loving, country music singing, rodeo cowboy out of North Texas. Growing up, when he wasn’t in the pen dogging steers, he was playing pure country tunes that were influenced by legends like Strait, Whitley, Jackson, Travis, Haggard and more. While studying at Texas A&M, Wynn hung up his spurs and worked steadily on increasing his presence in the music world by playing in venues around the central and north Texas regions. With the release of his debut EP, Words Fly, Wynn Williams quickly became an artist to watch in the independent scene. His warming, traditional country sound is one that has been sought for by country music fans for a long time. This former rodeo cowboy is on the right track with his sound and his real and relatable persona.
By the time the 6 song journey is complete, he shares his own experiences in songs like “The Letter,” which is a heart-wrenching waltz. “Without You an Me” pays homage to inseparable love. Title track “Words Fly” takes you back to the era he grew up in and its musical arrangement paired with it’s lyrical message is not one country fans want to let slip through the cracks.
Since graduating from college, Wynn has had the opportunity to play some of his bucket list shows already including RodeoHouston, the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, and many more.
When it comes to this young artist, there is much to look forward to and get excited about. His hard work, passion, and contagiously lovable personality will take him a long way in an ever-changing and challenging business.

Jo Dee Messina, New England native, already at a tender age Jo Dee Messina becomes an instant fan of the leading ladies in Country Music, from Patsy Cline to The Judds, Dolly Parton and Reba. With the help of her brother and sister, both musicians, she plays in various local venues, pubs and school concerts realizing her artistic aspirations. Coming to the realization that in order to achieve success as a country artist she must be in Nashville, she pulls up roots and moves to Music City at age 19.
In order to survive she works various jobs while playing different clubs in Nashville. Jo Dee also participates in numerous singing contests and radio talent shows, doing all she can to get noticed by someone who could give her career a boost. Pivotal to her career is meeting young producer Byron Gallimore during the early 90s. He is also trying to make waves in Nashville, working with a young artist destined for greatness, Tim McGraw.
Gallimore and McGraw instantly see Jo Dee Messina’s vocal talent and her artistic potential ; they join forces and bring to light a debut album in which Messina’s maturity and strong personality, while keeping with the genre’s more traditional sounds are clearly discernibile. Jo Dee’s self titled album Jo Dee Messina (Curb, 1996), will turn out to be an instant commercial success , selling more than 500.000 copies and lifting two singles into the top 10 Hot Country Singles Chart. To promote the album, Jo Dee heads off for a long tour, bringing her music to over 200 stages in the space of a year.
Following a few long months of work, Jo Dee releases her sophomore album I’m Alright (Curb, 1998). which is still considered one of the best country albums of the 90s. With over 2.000.000 copies sold and 3 number one singles in the American and Canadian Hot Country Singles charts respectively (Bye Bye, I’m Alright and Stand Beside Me, the first two written by a truly inspired Phil Vassar). Her second single lifted off the album, (the title track I’m Alright) sells over 600.000 copies in the US alone. Jo Dee Messina becomes the first female artist to have 3 number one singles from the same album I’m Alright is a practically perfect offering infectious melodies, sophisticated musicianship and vocal prowess in 10 splendid tracks. From the softer country-pop of Cover Me, Silver Thunderbird, and No Time For Tears, to the passionate ballads Even God Must Get The Blues and Because You Love Me.
Jo Dee’s third album , Burn (Curb, 2000) also garners her success, this time sporting a tendency towards a more mainstream and pop sound, which allows her to finally scale the summit of the Billboard Top Country Albums and she receives the same fate in neighbouring Canada also. “Burn” offers two number one hits, the second of which being the beautiful duet with Tim McGraw, Bring On The Rain. This third offering of Jo Dee’s is energy filled, positive, featuring great musicianship once again and inspired songwriting, case in point, the divine Saturday Night.
Following this, Jo Dee releases a compendium of Christmas classics entitled, A Joyful Noise (Curb, 2002); where freshness and artistry win over what could have been banal and possibly campy.
Her Greatest Hits, released the following year (Curb 2003, featuring four original songs), is yet another great commercial success : number 1 in the Country charts and receiving Gold status, having sold more than 500.000 copies.
Two years later, and another chart topping album is unleashed: Delicious Surprise (Curb, 2005). Jo Dee’s sixth offering and 3rd number one album. On an artistic level her sound is even more powerful than before, aggressive yet melodious with more than just a wink to pop music, making this album in particular another winner, proof of the pudding of which can be found in the ballad IT GETS BETTER
A long period of changes in her personal life keep JDM away from the studio, though not stopping her from putting together a lot of new material which will finally find release in an Extended Play musical trilogy : Unmistakable with Love, Drive and Inspiration; as the subheadings, thus defining the main themes found within. Released once again by Curb during 2010, these latest offerings are unable to reach the success of their predecessors.
Shortly after JDM and Curb part ways and she focuses on what up until now has been her latest album , Me (Dreambound, 2014), in which we find a more aggressive and rocking Messina, though it must be said that the best moment in this album is found with A Woman’s Rant, more polka country sounding.
Strong-willed, energetic and positive with a vocal prowess both silk and fire according to what is required, JDM acts as an artistic bridge between the traditional country sounds of Tammy Wynette and Dolly Parton and the more mainstream pop of Cassadee Pope and Maren Morris.

Being hailed as “Country Music’s Newest Star”, the “New Woman in Country” and “Shania’s Successor,” American Country Music star Jessica Lynn makes her debut in her family’s ancestral homeland, Italy, this summer at the Voghera Country Music Festival. In the last two years, Jessica has been seen by millions across America in her two nationwide full length concert television specials, “This Much Fun – Live from the Winery at St. George,” and “Jessica Lynn – Takin’ Over – Live from The Paramount.”
The singer/songwriter recently wrapped up her third national and first international tour. She has shared stages with Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, Hank Williams Jr., The Band Perry, Thompson Square, Jake Owen, Sammy Kershaw, Clint Black, Montgomery Gentry, Phil Vassar, Jo Dee Messina and recently had the honor of opening for the “Queen of Country Music” herself, Loretta Lynn. Her high-energy and dynamic live show has garnered rave reviews from critics worldwide with the CBS Evening News calling her a “Rocket Force.” This past summer Jessica released her debut self-titled EP. “Not Your Woman,” The first official music video and single from that EP, hit #1 for four (4) weeks in a row on “The Iceman’s Top 40 New Country Chart.”
2017 will take Jessica and the band here to Voghera and around the world once again with a busy schedule that includes a full summertime European/UK tour including a date in France opening for iconic American rockers ZZ Top.

Phil Vassar was born in Lynchburg, Virginia, but soon moved to Nashville to chase his dream related to music. He got fame in the late 90 as songwriter thanks to the song “Once In A While”, written in collaboration with one friend. Starting from here he will write a lot known hits for many Artist. Among these: “For A Little While” for Tim McGraw, “Little Red Rodeo” for Collin Raye, “Right On The Money” for Alan Jackson, “Bye Bye” for Joe Dee Messina, “Postmarked Birmingham” for Blackhawk, just to name few. His talent didn’t go unnoticed, in fact he was awarded as Country Songwriter of the Year in 1999 from ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) thanks to “Bye Bye” and “Right On The Money”. Thanks to his proven talent, his passion for the music and his way to accompany his performances with a noble instrument such as the piano, at the end of 1999 signed his first contract with the Arista Nashville, a record label with which he signed his debut single as singer. “Carlene” reaches the 5th position at the Billboard country charts. This single is followed, in 2000, his first album entitled “Phil Vassar” that includes “Just Another Day in Paradise” which becomes hit # 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs. Soon after Tim McGraw will reach the top of the country charts with the song “My Next Thirty Years” co-written with Phil Vassar. After reaching interest at the Country Music Academy, Billboard and Music Row, in 2004, he reaches the # 1 hit with “In A Real Love” from her 3rd album “Shaken Not Stirred”. His career includes 10 individual songs that reach the 1st position in the top chart and 26 Top 40 hits, including “Carlene”, “Just Another Day in Paradise,” “Six-Pack Summer,” “That’s When I Love You” and many other. With 6 active albums, two greatest hits and more than 135 concerts a year, Vassar continues to offer his talents, touching lyrics, incisive soul and contagious melodies. As Phil Vassar says: songs should bring a message and let the fans feel emotions, whether makes you happy and puts you in a good mood or makes you cry and feels despair, whatever the feeling is, should evokes something. The great energy and passion that transmits during his shows, accompanied by the inevitable piano, gets the heart and soul in a unique and special way as only he can do. Since when in 2011 he started working with the new label Rodeowave Entertainment, Phil Vassar can finally freely express his creativity by recording everything he want without he has to answer to anyone Her latest single, “Love Is Alive,” expresses this new energy and acts as a prelude to his next album.

After its first appearance in Italy in 2010 with a performance in acoustic during which presents his album “Traveling Circus”, is back for a memorable concert with his full band Saturday, June 25, 2016 at Cowboys’ Guest Ranch Voghera.

2013 – Pat Green, sito web.

Pat Green was born in San Antonio, Texas and from a very young age showed great enthusiasm for music thanks to the passion and influence of his family. He began performing  at the age of 18 in small clubs and pubs in the Lubbock area where he performed his own original songs and by 2003 had reached third place on the American Country music charts. Pat Green has always put his talent to the test and shown his capacity to continuously reinvent himself.  He believes….“It’s impossible to know your limits without testing them” . He has been influenced by the music of The Doors, Louis Armstrong, Willie Nelson and George Strait and his maturity allows him a range from the unforgettable Honky Tonk style to the most intransigent Texan Country Music.  As a huge fan of baseball and the Texas Rangers, he wrote “I like Texas” in 1995 which became the “Victory Song” of the famous baseball Team.  He has nine studio albums and two outstanding live ones, and is noticeable on the American country scene from hits such as “Wave On Wave”, “Three Days”, “Cannonball” and “Let Me” all the way to the more recent “Austin” and “Even the Losers”. Additionally, he has collaborated with names such as Willie Nelson, Keith Urban, Gretchen Wilson and Kenny Chesney.  In what is his ONLY Italian performance of his tour, which includes some major European Festivals, he will be performing a mix of his old and new hits highlighting his entire singing career.

 2012 – Terri Clark, sito web.

Terry Clark with more than five million albums sold and nearly a dozen Top 10 hits to her credit, Terri Clark has emerged as a singular voice on the country music landscape – driving, passionate, spirited – and every bit her own woman.  A dynamic, no-holds-barred live performer – and one of the rare female country artists capable of throwing down some impressive guitar work – the Alberta, Canada native has toured with such superstars as Brooks & Dunn, Reba McEntire, and George Strait on her way to becoming a eight-time, fan-voted Canadian Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year.   A prolific songwriter and hard-charging traditionalist, Clark spent years playing dive bars and entering talent competitions before she first hit the charts in 1995 with “Better Things to Do” and never looked back.    She is the first Canadian female to be inducted into the prestigious Grand Ole Opry and has received multiple CMA and ACM Female Vocalist nominations, in addition to a pair of Juno Awards and a remarkable 17 CCMA trophies.  For close to three years, Terri was the only woman in country music to score a #1 single when she soared up the charts with “I Just Wanna Be Mad”, one of a long string of successes including such hits as “You’re Easy on the Eyes”, “When Boy Meets Girl”, “I Wanna Do It All”, “Poor Poor Pitiful Me” and “Girls Lie Too”.   As songwriter, vocalist, entertainer, and personality, Terri connects with listeners in a very genuine way, at least in part because of her willingness to reach past the obvious for the real-life bottom line in her music, embracing strength and vulnerability, playfulness, sexiness, and a refreshing emotional candor.

2011 – Lorri Morgan, sito web.

Lorrie Morgan was just a teenager when he made his first major appearance in 1975 and sang “Paper Roses” with her dad, country star George Morgan at the Grand Ole Opry. Since that fateful night, Lorrie has never looked back. His life and his career is a whirlwind of emotions and successes. After the death of his father in 1975 Lorrie wastes no time in carrying out its objectives especially in memory of her missing father. He has joined with the band of his father and has traveled around the country, keeping alive his memory by from time to time many fans along the way. The music industry soon recognized that the fama Lorrie is steadily increasing and in 1984 Lorrie begins to make history when at the age of 25 is ‘the youngest person to join as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. It was not long before she was offered a record deal with RCA and later with the BNA label, and a series of successes begin as Five Minutes, “” Something in Red, “” Watch Me “and” What Part of No “Lorrie states as well as a star of country music throughout the country.

2010 – Aaron Tippin, sito web.

2009 – Billy Dean, sito web.

Harold William “Billy” Dean was born April 2, 1962, in Quincy, Florida, and received a scholarship to attend basketball East Central Junior College in Decatur, where he graduated in physical education. However, he played the club circuit along Florida’s Gulf Coast and has used his talents as a vehicle for his musical career. He made the finals of the Wrangler Country Star Search in 1982, then he won as a best male voice against Ed McMahons Star Search in 1988. Dean released his debut album in 1990 with the hit Only Here for a Little While and the Grammy nominations with Somewhere in My Broken Heart. His hit future including Billy the Kid, If There Had not Been; and We Just Disagree. Three of his albums have been certified gold, and his autotitolato album in 1991 earned platinum status. In 2004, salt topped the charts with Thank God I’m a Country Boy. After a long absence, he published Let Them Be Little in 2005.

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2008 – Michael Peterson, sito web.