(PR) Hard Rock Park in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, hosted its official opening ceremony last night, and Sister Hazel guitarist, Ryan Newell, was on hand to help, literally, blow the gates open. Newell arrived at the red carpet ceremony at the Park's massive iron front gates in a helicopter with Hard Rock Park CEO Steven Goodwin. While Newell played a custom Hard Rock guitar, fireworks and pyrotechnics "blew open" the gates of the park, signaling to guests of all ages that this destination is officially open and ready to rock their worlds. Says Newell: "The people at Hard Rock Park have been amazing to Sister Hazel and the ceremony was incredible. I just feel lucky to have been a part of such a historical moment!"
After Sister Hazel played a private concert for the park's investors and executives on June 1st, Hard Rock Park's two-day Grand Opening Extravaganza kicked off June 2nd with the "Save the Planet Invitational," a star-studded celebrity golf tournament in which a number of artists participated, including Darryl (DMC) McDaniels, Edwin McCain, and band members of ZZ Top, Aerosmith, Cheap Trick and Sister Hazel (Jett Beres and Drew Copeland). After the gate opening ceremony later that day, the Eagles performed at the park. The festivities continued on June 3rd with a live performance from The Moody Blues, accompanied by Myrtle Beach's Long Bay Symphony orchestra.
Sister Hazel, who will be on tour throughout 2008, returns to Hard Rock Park on July 4th to perform in the amphitheater there. The Gainesville, Florida five-piece will also be releasing a live acoustic album on June 17th entitled "Before The Amplifiers, Live Acoustic." The record features sixteen tracks, including the band's hits, fan favorites, and live concert staples, all in a stripped-down, acoustic format. The album was recorded in front of 100 lucky fans who were chosen at random from over five thousand entries. "Before The Amplifiers" is the perfect collection for both the hardcore band fans (a.k.a. Hazelnuts) and for listeners just discovering the band for the first time.
