Stars of ABC Daytime will be headlining along with country music greats at the Stagecoach Country Music Festival powered by Toyota on April 25 and 26 at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, CA. Among the stars scheduled to attend is GH’s Jason Thompson (Patrick), who discusses his newfound appreciation for country — and a surreal parental encounter of the musical kind.
Soap Opera Digest: Why did you choose to head out to the California desert for this event?
Jason Thompson: I’m really excited. I’ve had the pleasure of going to several country events through ABC and every single one of them was fun. I’m a huge fan of music in general and to be around all the artists and see them perform and get the opportunity to introduce some of them at some of these concerts has been a great opportunity.
Digest: What will be special about this particular event for you?
Thompson: My Mom and Dad and a family friend of ours are coming to town, so it will be all four of us and they’re really big country music fans. It’s going to be a great weekend.
Digest: What kind of fan interaction is there?
Thompson: It’s a full schedule. Autograph signings, giveaways, you name it. There will be a lot to do.
Digest: Who are some of your country faves?
Thompson: I really like Keith Urban. When I was at the big country music festival in Nashville last year, he just killed it. He’s a good old-fashioned rock star. He’s not going to be there this year but I know I’ll leave the show with some new favorites. The last couple things I’ve gone to, the more I’ve become a fan. They’re very passionate musicians and you can tell that when they’re on-stage. I just love watching them all perform.
Digest: Were you surprised that you became a country music fan later in life?
Thompson [laughs]: Well, I grew up in Canada and music was always on in the house. It went from Rod Stewart and The Eagles to Garth Brooks. My parents are very much into music. They actually went and saw Rick [Springfield, ex-Noah, GH] in Edmonton and they loved it. My Dad went to see my Dad play [laughs]. I told them he’s a great performer and they hadn’t gotten an opportunity to see them until he just came to Edmonton, where I grew up, so they ended up going and they had a blast. They got to meet Rick afterward backstage and just had a great time. I wish I could have been there with them.
Digest: What a great story.
Thompson: But to answer your question, I always grew up with music. I wasn’t a huge country fan per se, but I always respected it for sure because it told a story and you could tell the singers were passionate about what they were singing about. I’ve become more of a fan now that I’ve been immersed in it a little. I’ve gotten the opportunity to be a part of it and any time you see someone’s talent and passion come out, you can’t help but be a fan. Whether you appreciate the music or not, you still absolutely respect them. That’s why I think if somone’s not really a country fan, they should still come because I guarantee they’ll take something new away from the experience.
Digest: And your GH co-stars who are attending like the genre, too.
Thompson: Yeah, I saw Becky [Herbst, Elizabeth] and her husband Michael [Saucedo, ex-Juan] shaking their stuff to all the country music acts, so she’ll usually keep me up to date on what’s happening. I’m excited, and I get to see all these great people and hang out with other cast members and the fans. It’s going to be a blast.
Also on the ABC line-up: AMC’s Bobbie Eakes (Krystal) and Aiden Turner (Aidan), OLTL’s Kassie DePaiva (Blair) and Bree Williamson (Jessica) and GH’s Brandon Barash (Johnny), Steve Burton (Jason), Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth), Kirsten Storms (Maxie) and Laura Wright (Carly). For more information, go to www.soapnet.com.
To view the full musical artist line-up, a breakdown of ticketing and camping/RV options, visit www.stagecoachfestival.com.
