Residents gather downtown for sounds of the 70's

Residents gathered in Hickory Square Saturday to enjoy food, family, friends and sounds of the 70's from the popular 70's band The Eagles, performed by The Long Run tribute band.

An American rock band formed in Los Angeles, the Eagles were created in 1971 by Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Bernie Leadon, and Randy Meisner. With five number-one singles, six Grammy Awards, five American Music Awards, and six number one albums, the Eagles were one of the most successful musical acts of the 1970s.

The Long Run, "Colorado's Tribute to The Eagles" was born in 2009 to celebrate the music and legacy of The Eagles. As a tribute to the popular 70's band and named after their album "The Long Run" that was released on September 24, 1979.

The Long Run is a popular regional band, playing many of Denver's major festivals, headlining casinos and fairs in Utah, Wyoming, and New Mexico.

Between them, band members have many years of experience with hit bands all across the globe and now tour the Colorado Front Range.

Members of the band hail from along Colorado's front range and include, Mark Trippensee; drums, percussion, acoustic guitar, vocals, Adam Rey; lead guitar, acoustic guitar, talk-box, vocals, Steve Weinmeister; lead guitar, acoustic guitar, mandolin, piano, vocals, Bil Hopkins; bass guitar, vocals, Reece Morse; piano, keyboards, acoustic guitar, saxophone, and vocals.

Mark Trippensee has been establishing his drumming, singing, songwriting skills more than 25 years. He recorded two CDs in the 90s, as well as compilation CDs from Colorado radio stations and studios. He has also shared the stage with national acts Staind, Three Days Grace, Black Stone Cherry, Living Colour, Winger, Blackberry Smoke, and Tesla.

Trippensee said he launched The Long Run in 2009 out of his love for The Eagles' music, their influence on him, and with a large dose of stubbornness and drive.

Trippensee is releasing his first solo CD in 2016, featuring current- and ex-members of Firefall, Heart, Spirit, and The Long Run, as well as other Colorado musicians.

The second part to the three-part Downtown Sounds concert series, invited residents to bring their lawn chairs and enjoy food and music in downtown Sidney.

Heather Hausmann, Executive director of the Cheyenne County Visitors center said the Downtown sounds group, which is a combination of the Visitor Center, City of Sidney and the Cheyenne County Chamber, worked to put this together in an effort to pull music into Hickory Square.

Concert goer Cindy Bartling said they band was amazing and sounded like the original Eagles band. "The evening was perfect, no wind, cool, kids dancing in the streets, and the food was awesome," Bartling said.

The Good Living tour is the final concert in the Downtown sounds concert series, put on by Hear Nebraska. Sidney's concert will be in Hickory Square, August 5.