Ricky & the Redstreaks to rock El Dorado County Fair

Immortalized by Brooks and Dunn in “Just Another Neon Night” and followed by cowboys with the pro-rodeo circuit with an almost a cult-like fervor, Ricky & the Redstreaks is returning to the El Dorado County Fairgrounds for a reunion concert that promises to fill the house.

It was 1968 at the El Dorado County Fair when high school pals John Jackman, Ray Brown, Scott Thomas and Jan Volz hooked up to form a band called the Train. Part of their act was a special performance by Ricky and the Redstreaks, which later grew into popularity on its own and became the official band of the Pro Rodeo Circuit.

And the rest is history and phenomenon, according to fans and music critics who says thousands of people will show up during the closing nights of a rodeo as word-of-mouth spreads the news that the Redstreaks are in town.

Though cowboys love ‘em, the Redstreaks don’t play country music. They prefer rock ‘n’ roll. What we now call classic rock, including Jefferson Airplane, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and ZZ Top. Throw in what’s described as “cabaret corn and titillating innuendo” from Jackman, who fronts the band, and you have an evening with Ricky and the Redstreaks—part concert, part comedy show, part rip roarin’ dance-on-the-tables party.

The band attributes their four-plus decades of success to the loyalty of their fans.

They’ll perform back-to-back concerts with their original band the Train on June 17 beginning at 8pm on the Main Stage at the El Dorado County Fair.

The concert is included with the price of fair admission.

The 2011 El Dorado County Fair is June 16 to 19 in Placerville. For more information, call (530) 621.5860.