Ron Keel (aka Ronnie Lee Keel) made a lot of noise in the entertainment industry as a hard rocker when his 80s catalog, produced by Gene Simmons of KISS, sold millions, charted in Billboard’s Hot 100, and Keel toured the world. A 1987 run with Bon Jovi included three sold out nights at Madison Square Garden on the “Slippery When Wet Tour” and additional stadium dates with Van Halen and Aerosmith cemented Keel’s status as a world-class entertainer.

 

So it was a big surprise when the “Ron Keel Goes Country” special on VH1 (1995) became the highest-rated “Where Are They Now” episode in the show’s history.

 

A working-class kid born in Georgia who moved to Nashville at the age of 17, Keel was never far removed from his country roots (his father was hillbilly to the core and sat in with Hank Williams Sr. on acoustic guitar upon occasion).

 

In 2006, Ronnie created, starred in, and co-produced the longest running country music casino show in Las Vegas history – “Country Superstars Tribute,” headlining the Golden Nugget for two years, plus additional long runs at other casino venues. Now he’s combined all that experience and expertise to create “Long Live Country Music,” the ultimate tribute to this beloved American art form.

 

It’s an energetic mix of current and classic country music performed by top-shelf singers and seasoned Las Vegas musicians, paying tribute to the biggest stars and their songs; not exactly an “impersonator” show but you’ll see the cast wearing a lot of different hats as they match the looks, voices and personalities of the singers they portray.

The show also features real up-and-coming national country artists showcasing short headline segments of their new original music. In keeping with the spirit of the brand, LONG LIVE COUNTRY MUSIC shares these fresh talents with new audiences everywhere. And in addition to hosting the show, Keel adds his voice, music, and presence to every concert.

During the performance, there’s a brief intimate sit-down acoustic segment where the cast pays tribute to the legends (Cash, Merle, Willie, Toby and more), each contributing a piece of musical history to the experience.

And there’s also a patriotic spirit that weaves through this show; during some powerfully emotional American country anthems, audiences may stand up and cheer, and when they shed a tear and pump their fists, that’s part of the deal.