BalloonFest: America opens concert series Friday night

(Photo: Photo courtesy of QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning )

The perennial classic rock band America, best-known for their two biggest hits “A Horse with No Name” and “Ventura Highway,” will open the 2014 QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning concert series on July 25.

Known for their lush, melodic folk-rock sound and tight vocal harmonies, America was at the cornerstone of 1970s Top 40 and FM rock radio with their string of hits, which also included “I Need You,” “Don’t Cross The River,” “Tin Man,” “Lonely People” and “Sister Golden Hair.”

Their music still connects with today’s audiences: “A Horse with No Name” was prominently featured in the Academy Award nominated movie “American Hustle” and the Emmy Award-winning TV show “Breaking Bad.”

Presented by PNC in association with Magic 98.3 FM, America brings their timeless sound to the festival’s Main Stage at 8 p.m. on Friday, July 25, following the first scheduled mass hot air balloon ascension.

Reserved concert seats are available through the Volkswagen VIP Blue Sky Club at www.balloonfestival.com. Lawn seats are included with general admission tickets.

“As PNC honors America with its five-story tall, American flag-shaped balloon, we think it’s only natural that they present ’70s supergroup America to launch this year’s concert series,” said Festival Executive Producer Howard Freeman.

While posting six certified gold and platinum albums, America’s greatest hits collections and live shows truly display the band’s full range of talent, from effects-laden rock songs to oddball medleys to soul-bearing ballads.

Led by founding members Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell, America won a Grammy Award in 1972 as Best New Artist and followed with a string of successful albums, including “Holiday,” “Hearts” and “Hideaway.” Many were produced by George Martin, who produced many of the Beatles’ records.

From anonymous horses to fast-moving trains, America’s extraordinary four-decade musical legacy of consummately crafted pop/rock songs, trademark lush harmonies and evocative lyrical landscapes never go out of style.