UPCOMING CONCERTS INCLUDE PURE PRAIRIE LEAGUE AND CASEY DONAHEW

This article is presented in partnership with Wildwood Springs Resort.

I’ll never forget the first time Danita and I went to a concert at Wildwood Springs Resort in Steelville. It’s not like any other concert you have ever been to—it’s a total experience: partly nostalgic, partly downhome, and mostly a helluva lotta fun!

And if you’re a fan of Pure Prairie League, you need to act fast. Tickets are still available for the Saturday, March 26 concert. Get the details here.

Hosted by owner Bob Bell, the concert lineup is only part of the experience that includes a fantastic dinner in the hotel’s vintage dining room, and a full course breakfast the next morning – all served by the happiest people you’ll ever meet. There’s also a 1920s vintage room in the Grand Old Lady—as Bob calls the lodge—that overlooks the Meramec River.

The concerts takes place in the lobby and only seats about 300, and every seat is within 30 feet of the stage. Bob has a gift for booking some of the best bands from the 60s and 70s—like America and Three Dog Night—as well as many bands that have been on Austin City Limits, including Pure Prairie League, Doc Watson, and John Hartford.

I’ve been a lifelong Poco fan and when I heard that Bob had a concert with a “reunited” Poco, I couldn’t wait to see them. We arrived at the lodge just in time to have dinner and were last in line—or so we thought. But who walks in but Poco and Buffalo Springfield legend Richie Furay. He immediately stuck his hand out and said, “I’m Richie Furay, glad to meet you!” I was almost floored. Then we sat down at the same table and had dinner together. Later after the concert I had Richie, Paul Cotton, and the late Rusty Young sign my guitar.

See what I mean about creating an experience. Where else would you get that? NOWHERE!

There is no way to convey how great the food that is served at the dinner before the concert and the breakfast the next morning. It’s true Ozark home cooking that you just can’t find anywhere that I have ever been—and that’s saying a lot.

Pure Prairie League: Left to right, Scott Thompson, Randy Harper, John Call, Jeff Zona, and Jared Camic.
Photo—Tracy May

Like many awesome experiences, you really have to do it yourself to understand what it’s like. But if you’re ever going to, this is the year to make it happen as the Grand Old Lady celebrates her 100th Anniversary on May 21, featuring a concert by Wildfire artist Michael Martin Murphey. He’s known for other pop and country and western music such as Carolina in the Pines, What’s Forever For and Cowboy Logic.

Pure Prairie League concert tickets: CLICK HERE

Other artists in this year’s line-up include Pure Prairie League on Saturday, March 26. Hurry to get tickets before they’re gone! (

Then more shows in the year include The Marshall Tucker Band, Missouri’s own Ozark Mountain Daredevils and The Kay Brothers, The Mighty Pines, and Steppenwolf legend John Kay! See all the bands for the year here at The Wildwood Concert Series

Check out why Ozark Mountain Daredevils consider playing at Wildwood Springs Lodge—their favorite place of all.

Even with all the great concerts and rubbing shoulders with some of the world’s greatest musicians, I think Bob is truly most proud of the people who work for him (or should I say work with him) than anything else—next, of course, to the Grand Old Lady herself. Bob has owned the lodge since 1993 and has put not only a lot of money but lots and lots of love into his vision of keeping the place much as it was intentionally built for: An Ozarks summer vacation.

Back in the 1920s trains came from St. Louis filled with people who wanted to get out of the hot, steamy city and relax along the Meramec River and go floating, fishing, and swimming in the cool waters.

Wildwood is one of the last remnants of this piece of true Americana, even pre-dating Route 66. So do yourself and your family a favor and give them this iconic experience to remember for the rest of their lives.

Find ticket details here.