New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

The Newton Theatre presents Pure Prairie League

originally published: 12/12/2024

(NEWTON, NJ) -- Pure Prairie League comes to The Newton Theatre on Friday, March 7, 2025 at 8:00pm. Now in their sixth decade, Pure Prairie League continues to lead the way for the new generation of Country/Rockers such as Keith Urban, Nickel Creek, Wilco, Counting Crows and so many others that cite PPL as a major influence.

From their beginnings in mid-Sixties Ohio as a group of friends playing cover tunes to the present-day unit featuring founding member/pedal-steel innovator John David Call, the propulsive team of drummer Scott Thompson and bassist Jared Camic, Keyboard Master Randy Harper and guitar ace/vocalist Jeff Zona, PURE PRAIRIE LEAGUE continues to embellish the rich 50-plus year history of one of Country-Rock’s pioneering forces. As one reviewer recently wrote: “PPL’s sound combines sweet memories with edgy, contemporary muscle. Their vocals are as strong as Kentucky moonshine and the musicianship and performance skills are as sharp as a straight razor”.

Their eponymous first album - featuring the Norman Rockwell/Saturday Evening Post cover that introduced fans to PPL’s trademark cowpoke “Sad Luke” - has been hailed as a “major early influence in the emerging popularity of Country-Rock music”. Their second effort, the multi-platinum Bustin’ Out brought us the Craig Fuller-penned classic “Amie”, along with other gems of the genre. With Two Lane Highway, nine more albums and countless shows, a legacy has been forged and enriched, highlighting contributions from several noteworthy members, including original co-founder George Ed Powell, Cincinnati’s legendary Goshorn Brothers, Country Hall of Famers Gary Burr and Vince Gill, award-winning writer Jeff Wilson (3 Top-20 singles) and a host of other guest appearances from Chet Atkins, Johnny Gimble, EmmyLou Harris, David Sanborn, Eagle Don Felder, Nicolette Larson, Rosemary Butler, Jenifer Wrinkle, Jeff (Birdman) Kirk, Mat Britain and many more.

Tickets range from $39-$59 and are available for purchase online starting Friday, December 13 at 10:00am.  The Newton Theatre is located at 234 Spring Street in Newton, New Jersey.

With the release of their new album Back On Track PPL brings it all back home with a dozen new songs that complete the circle begun in 1970 and continues today.  It's the group’s first studio album in nearly two decades. Back on Track  takes the classic PPL sound and gives it a fresh spin. Throughout a dozen cuts, we hear a rejuvenated band that pays homage to its signature sound while still injecting fresh sonic air. Back on Track is simultaneously classic and contemporary. 




Follow New Jersey Stage on social media
Facebook, Threads, Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky



"On Back on Track, Pure Prairie League is back, delivering the soaring harmonies, lilting love songs, and rollicking Southern rockers that make up its signature sound.."-- Henry Carrigan, No Depression

"the boys deliver, the no punches held back, Back On Track a wall-to-wall production of Country Rock meeting Southern Rock in the back parking lot of a Biker bar in the wrong side of town. Thrashing drums, stinging electric guitar, full-hearted lead vocals and harmonies delivering up a feast."-- Maurice Hope, The Rocking Magpie

The Newton Theatre is located at 234 Spring Street in Newton, New Jersey. The historic theatre was founded in 1924. It is a beautifully restored 605 seat performing arts center in the heart of Sussex County, presenting diverse programming, including world-renowned music acts, comedians, family productions, holiday shows and much more.




Follow New Jersey Stage on social media
Facebook, Threads, Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky


FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


Lee

Lee Brice: Acoustic

Friday, January 23, 2026 @ 8:00pm
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: music


 

Matt

Matt O'Ree Band

Friday, January 23, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music


 

Candlelight

Candlelight Concerts - Featuring Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and More

Friday, January 23, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Monmouth University - Pollak Theatre
400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
category: music


 

Light

Light of Day 2026 - Songwriters in the Round

Saturday, January 24, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Outpost In The Burbs
40 S Fullerton Ave, Montclair, NJ 07042
category: music


 

Lee

Lee Brice Acoustic

Saturday, January 24, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: music


 



Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info





 

EVENT PREVIEWS

Jazz

Jazz Room & WP Presents Branford Marsalis Quartet

(WAYNE, NJ) -- Jazz Room & WP Presents Branford Marsalis Quartet on Thursday, February 26, 2026 at Shea Center for Performing Arts. Showtime is 7:30pm. Saxophonist Branford Marsalis is one of the most influential and revered figures in contemporary music.



Outpost

Outpost in the Burbs presents Rhett Miller of Old 97's

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Outpost in the Burbs presents Rhett Miller on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at 8:00pm. Rhett is a revered singer-songwriter known for his more than three decades fronting the popular rock band Old 97's who were honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award during the 2025 Americana Awards at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium.



New

New Jersey Youth Chorus Presents Winter Concert Featuring Young Talent on February 1st

(BASKING RIDGE, NJ) -- The New Jersey Youth Chorus (NJYC), a program of Wharton Arts, invites the community to its Winter Concert on Sunday, February 1, 2026 at 4:00pm at The Pingry School in Basking Ridge. Now in its 34th season, NJYC continues its tradition of musical excellence with a program that brings together young singers in a richly expressive and globally inspired performance.



Asbury

Asbury Park Theater Company moves Remember Jones' 20-Piece Mad Dogs & Englishmen Celebration to Count Basie Center

(RED BANK, NJ) -- Join Asbury Park Theater Company as they celebrate Joe Cocker's groundbreaking live album and tour, Mad Dogs & Englishmen, on Saturday, February 14, 2026 on the Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre stage at the Count Basie Center for the Arts. The show, previously announced as a two-night event at Ocean Grove's Jersey Shore Arts Center, makes a sudden surprise move to the Basie due to special demand and limitations for audience and production at the OG venue. An exciting move for the growing and evolving theater company, this is the first time Remember Jones will bring this show to the Basie stage.



Carteret

Carteret PAC presents Max Weinberg's Jukebox on March 20th

​​​​​​​(CARTERET, NJ) -- New Jersey rock & roll icon Max Weinberg brings his high-energy, interactive, audience-driven show Max Weinberg's Jukebox to the URSB Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center on Friday, March 20, 2026 at 8:00pm.