BYU NewsNet - Michelle Branch, the Eagles to join for concert

Utah residents will be surprised to learn that, unlike The Eagle’s previous tour stops, those attending their May 9 concert will receive an additional performance from Michelle Branch.

Branch will open the show this Saturday and will participate in the first-ever concert event at the new Rio Tinto stadium in Sandy.

“We are elated to welcome the Eagles, one of live entertainment’s most legendary acts, to christen Rio Tinto Stadium’s concert programming,” said Dave Checketts, the owner and operator of Rio Tinto Stadium and Real Salt Lake. “The people of Utah now have their state’s finest music venue, Rio Tinto Stadium, hosting the Eagles’ final North American performance this year.”

The Eagles, winners of six Grammy Awards and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees, will perform hits from their current No. 1 album, “Long Road out of Eden” before the band continues on to Europe. The album has been certified platinum seven times.

“I grew up with my Dad blasting the Eagles on the radio, and my favorite song is ‘Hotel California’,” said Craig Apfel from Orlando, Fla.

Branch’s performance is a break from her recent solo album recordings in Nashville and New York, which will be released by Warner Bros. Records later this year. Two of the album’s producers include Sheryl Crow and Jon Bon Jovi.

“It is exciting to hear that a newer star, Michelle Branch, is going to share the stage with a classic band, the Eagles,” said Tyler Davis, a freshman from Idaho Falls.

In the past, Branch has toured with Crow and The Dixie Chicks. In 2002, Branch collaborated with Carlos Santana to produce the Billboard charting song, “The Game of Love.” The song went on to win a Grammy Award for “Best Pop Collaboration with Vocal.”

Rio Tinto has the capacity to seat 25,000 people, has 32 luxury suites and five locker rooms. In July, the venue will host the Major League Soccer All-Star game.

Tickets for the concert are still available at www.riotintostadium.com starting at $50. The event will kickoff at 8 p.m.