Lisa and the Country Gents, an award-winning country band from the Coachella Valley, returns July 25 to the Idyllwild Summer Concert Series.    Photo by Jenny Kirchner

Lisa and the Country Gents will return to Idyllwild for the third consecutive year. For the 20th Annual Idyllwild Summer Concert Series, producer Ken Dahleen promised popular and favorite groups. Lisa Morgan and her musicians easily qualified.

The Butterfield Amphitheater was packed Thursday night as The Diamonds kicked off the 2019 Idyllwild Summer Concert season. 
Photo by Steven King, courtesy of Dave Butterfield

Chairs brought to sit and listen to other performers are often an unnecessary effort when Lisa sings and the Country Gents play. The audience spends more time dancing, or just standing and moving to her rhythms and melodies, than they do sitting and absorbing the music. 

One of the special attributes of Lisa and the Country Gents, besides the numerous musical awards they have garnered, is their sound. “Country Gents” is not simply a road sign directing the listeners to country music. 

While they perform many vintage country songs, drummer James St. James describes their music as “Y’all-ternative Rock!” 

ICC President Janice Lyle (left) received a Proclamation from the Riverside County Board of Supervisors. Here Supervisor Chuck Washington presents the Proclamation for all her outstanding work with the ICC.
Photo by Jenny Kirchner

“We bring you classic country that we all know and love, but also know how to rock it up as well,” St. James wrote on the band’s Facebook page.

Morgan, who was born at the Desert Regional Hospital, did not become a country singer naturally or by accident. She grew up listening to many greats singers — Patsy Cline, Janis Joplin, Martina McBride, Bonnie Raitt, Trisha Yearwood, George Strait and Jimi Hendrix. Living in North Carolina and Texas as a military wife added to her love of this genre, but she didn’t forget her love of all music.

“There is so much great music,” she said proudly. “Great players play different pieces.”

When she is not on the stage performing, Morgan is busy making things happen at the Big Rock Golf and Pub at Indian Springs. As the Chief Business Development Officer and Marketing and Entertainment Director for the Golf Course and Pub, she has to spend abundant time booking, producing and promoting entertainment for the venue. She also serves as emcee for some events and volunteers for community projects.

The Diamonds were the initial performers for the 20th Annual Idyllwild Summer Concert Series, which opened Thursday, July 11. From left, Jeff Dolan, Michael Lawrence, Adam Morino and Gary Owens brought outstanding classic rock hits to the stage of the Butterfield Amphitheater.
Photo by Jenny Kirchner

When she does perform, Morgan said, “It feels like an explosion of joy. It’s absolutely cathartic.” Her energy and talent are totally focused on each song.

Dave and Lois Butterfield with three of the Diamonds at Thursday’s concert.
Photo by Lisa Fiori

While she performed in the Idyllwild Summer Concert Series in 2017 and 2018, she is still looking forward to treating the local audience. 

“The trees and people make the whole thing special,” she said.