Merced Theatre has Petty Fever

You don’t have to live like a refugee to see the music of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers played live in Merced.

Petty Fever, an award-winning cover band, will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday at Merced Theatre, 301 W. Main St.

Oregon guitarist and vocalist Frank Murray has been the frontman since 2009, when he brought together a handful of veteran musicians.

The band covers Petty classics such as “American Girl,” “Free Falling,” “Breakdown,” “Running Down a Dream” and “I Won’t Back Down,” to name a few.

Murray prides himself on the ability to accurately re-create Petty’s mannerisms, vocals and music. The effort has earned Fever the award for “Tribute Band of The Year” in 2013 and 2014 at the annual Los Angeles Music Awards, according to the band’s website.

Fever also includes guitarist Tim Baltus, bassist Steve Kuepker, keyboard player Jack Codron and drummer Craig Ostbo.

Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $25 at www.mercedtheatre.org or by calling 209-381-0500.

This story was originally published October 15, 2015 at 4:02 PM with the headline "Merced Theatre has Petty Fever."