MESCALERO, N.M. (December 16, 2016)—Take a trip back to the glorious days of the almighty mullet when ‘90s country stars Sawyer Brown come to Inn of the Mountain Gods on Friday, Feb. 10 at 8 p.m. Inn of the Mountain Gods is also happy to announce ‘80s rock stars Dokken and Lita Ford will be performing on Saturday, March 18 at 8 p.m.
Sawyer Brown was discovered in 1983 when they won the televised talent competition “Star Search” and the accompanying recording contract. The band wasted no time, hitting the studio and releasing their self-titled debut album in 1984 to the no. 2 spot on the Billboard Country Albums chart, bolstered by the no. 1 single “Step That Step.” The band’s success continued throughout the ‘80s, with their sophomore effort “Shakin’” released in 1985 at no. 3 and their 1989 sixth album, “The Boys Are Back,” which reached no. 5.
Although the ‘90s didn’t bring as much success in album sales, Sawyer Brown had skyrocketed to the mainstream of country music and continued to dominate radio airwaves. From 1990 to 1999, Sawyer Brown charted 27 singles including 14 top tens like “The Walk,” “Thank God for You” and the band’s anthem “Some Girls Do.”
Inn of the Mountain Gods trades mullets for glamorous manes and leather pants in March as glam metal stars Dokken and Lita Ford take the stage on Saturday, March 18. Dokken officially formed in 1983 at the onset of what would become known as the glam metal movement. Despite a plethora of lineup changes including the high-profile drama between lead singer Don Dokken and guitarist George Lynch, Dokken managed to produce 11 albums, three of which reached platinum certification thanks to the band’s die-hard fans.
Dokken found the most success in the mid-‘80s following their debut album “Breaking the Chains” in 1983, which gained the band a cult-like following despite disparaging record sales. Following their debut, Dokken released three platinum albums in a row with 1984’s “Tooth and Nail,” 1985’s “Under Lock and Key,” and 1987’s “Back for the Attack,” which also peaked at no. 13 on the Billboard 200.
Joining Dokken for a special performance March 18 is one of the best female guitarists of all time, Lita Ford. Ford’s career began at a time when women in rock and roll music were often a mere novelty, which may explain the meteoric international success of her first band The Runaways. After disagreements over musical direction with fellow legend Joan Jett, Ford left The Runaways in favor of a solo career in 1980.
Although her debut album, “Out for Blood,” didn’t find commercial success, it allowed Ford the opportunity to truly distance herself from The Runaways and establish her own heavy metal sound and image. Ford carried this sound into her second effort “Dancin’ on the Edge,” which netted her a Grammy nomination in 1984 followed by her third and most successful album “Lita,” which peaked at no. 29 on the Billboard 200. The album earned platinum certification and featured the no.8 single “Close My Eyes Forever,” a duet with Ozzy Osbourne.
For more information, to buy tickets or to book a room, visit InnoftheMountainGods.com.
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Inn of the Mountain Gods is New Mexico’s premier resort-casino destination situated high in the picturesque mountains of Mescalero, New Mexico. Located on the Mescalero Apache Reservation near Ruidoso, the Inn is set in the cool, tall pines of the Sacramento Mountains where visitors enjoy the clean, crisp air, breathtaking scenery, exciting entertainment and the best casino action in the Southwest. From the welcoming design of its 273 luxury rooms and suites, numerous dining options, and 38,000 square feet of action-packed gaming, Inn of the Mountain Gods has it all. Add to that a championship golf course named one of the top courses in the country by Golf Digest and Golf Week Magazine, and the country’s southernmost ski area, Ski Apache, offering the best warm-weather powder skiing in the world with 55 runs served by 11 lifts and New Mexico’s only eight-passenger Gondola, the Inn offers guests something for every season.