Wild and Wonderful MountainFest Motorcycle Rally

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Trace Adkins set to entertain Saturday night at MountainFest.

In the fifteen years since his platinum debut, Trace Adkins has released ten studio albums, three greatest hits packages, thirty chart singles. He has racked up four Grammy nominations, five ACM and CMT awards. Accolades like that – along with sales in the tens of millions – explain the respect Adkins has earned from both Country fans and the industry alike.

But there's more. In recent years, Trace has made his mark as a TV and film actor, a voiceover artist, an author, a social commentator, a participant on NBC's Celebrity Apprentice — and even the inspiration for a series of comic books.

Along the way, Trace has endured his share of well-publicized tribulations and the release of his latest album – Proud To Be Here – would be saddled with the same loss (and luck) that have shadowed Trace all his life. In June of 2011, as the finishing touches were being made to the upcoming album, the Nashville-area home Adkins shared with his wife and three of his five daughters was entirely destroyed by fire. True to form, Trace thought first of his family's safety, then steered the outpouring of fan's support toward the Red Cross…then got back to work.

Adkins' strength, focus and passion for fully-lived life infuse every bit of his new project. Proud To Be Here is the perfect distillation of Trace's art, displaying once again his ability to pour emotional truth into his music, whether it is of the tender or the rowdy variety. The project celebrates committed love in songs like "Million Dollar View," "That's What You Get," and "Always Gonna Be That Way," the joys of the simple life in "Days Like This" and "Poor Folks," the lighter side in "It's A Woman Thang" and "Love Buzz," and life's highest priorities in "It's Who You Know."

"There's so much on this record that's autobiographical," says the man with the soul-stirring baritone. "I draw from the best writers in town, and time after time they capture things I've experienced."

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JOHN KAY & STEPPENWOLF set to entertain Friday night at MountainFest.

In the chaotic world of rock 'n' roll, in which the lifespan of most bands can be measured in terms of a few years or a few months, John Kay and Steppenwolf have emerged as one of rock's most enduring and respected bands, delivering hard-hitting, personally-charged music for more than three decades.

In the late 1960s, Steppenwolf embodied that era's social, political and philosophical restlessness, building an impressive body of edgy, uncompromising rock 'n' roll that retains its emotional resonance more than three decades after the band's formation. Such Steppenwolf standards as "Born to Be Wild," "Magic Carpet Ride," "Rock Me" and "Monster" stand amongst Rock's most indelible anthems.

At last count, the band's worldwide record sales exceed 25 million units. Its songs remain fixtures on classic-rock radio, and have been licensed for use in approximately 50 motion pictures and an even greater number of television programs. And, in addition to being the first band to use the term "heavy metal" in a song (in "Born to Be Wild"), Steppenwolf's punchy style helped to establish the fundamentals of the hard-rock sound that would flourish in the 1970s.

Colt Ford - set to entertain Thursday night at MountainFest.

With his imposing physique, larger than life personality, and outrageous videos, it could
be easy to lose something important in Colt Ford's ample shadow: the music. But make no mistake, Colt Ford is a musician. A natural drummer, he is as comfortable laying down a beat as he is in front of the mic, singing and talking honestly about the country life he and his devoted audiences have in common.

And while some may consider the Academy of Country Music Award nominee's style of rhythmic sing-speak to be rural rap, what Colt does has been a part of country music for ages. It's in Hank Williams Sr.'s "Kaw-Liga," and in his recitations recorded as Luke the Drifter. It's in the story songs of Johnny Cash. The double-talking jive of Jerry Reed. The wild wordplay of Charlie Daniels. And in Jason Aldean's swerving hit single "Dirt Road Anthem"—a song co-written and originally recorded by Colt.

Like his heroes before him, the Athens, Georgia, native is the real deal. "Recitation and talking records were here long before me, and they'll be here long after me," he says. "I'm a country artist and I want people to know how much I genuinely respect this music and my fans."

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Rowdy Johnson Band

Are there any outlaws left in the world today? If you're a fan of the Rowdy Johnson Band, then you've heard these words before coming from the stage as Rowdy Johnson belts out the haunting lyrics of "Outlaws Today". And after experiencing an RJB performance, you'll know the answer to that question is a big "Hell Yeah!!!". Rowdy may have been born down South in the swamps of Florida , but it's on the stages of the Old West that this loud & proud Country singer is in his element. Following in the paths blazed by the Outlaw pioneers like Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and Hank Williams Jr. just to name a few is today's own Outlaw pioneer Rowdy Johnson. Armed with a passion for pushing the envelope of what's acceptable in today's music world and an endless supply of original songs that bleed right out of his soul, Rowdy and his band of outlaws are tearing up the stages on a mission to make things right again in this time of Pop Country Music. Rowdy and RJB have quickly become the "Voice of the People" when it comes to the Traditional Country fans, Southern Rockers, Bikers, Military Veterans and anyone else tired of the blah, blah, blah coming out of Nashville these days. You can call RJB a Revolution, but one thing is for sure, they're definitely carrying on. Here's to hoping the music never dies.

Sponsored By:

The Cherry People

The written story of the Cherry People, covering the transition of Washington, DC sensation the English Setters to nationally distributed (via MGM) bubble gum act (with hints of soul), then transition to harder-rockin', house-packin' early 70s club act has been documented somewhat...somewhat inaccurately. Revelations regarding collaborations with Jimi Hendrix came to light - the fruition being cameos as recently as the 2010 release Valleys of Neptune. What has been missing for curiosity seekers and rock fans are the actual audio artefacts of the 1970s when the Cherry People exerted full control of their sound, without label interference! Welcome to "whoopin' & aWhoppin'.

Sponsored By:

Kashmir

Kashmir, the nation's #1 Led Zeppelin tribute show, is the most authentic representation of Led Zeppelin on the modern national touring scene. Each of the 4 band members assumes their individual role with pinpoint accuracy. Kashmir possesses the live stage show, sound, and likeness to bring audiences and fans back to the days when the mighty Led Zeppelin ruled the musical landscape.

With the playlist of every classic rock station and the most identifiable voice in rock history, Kashmir's show features Page's iconic double-neck guitar, Bonham's drum solo, the stage show of the era, and most importantly, the greatest hits that make up the soundtrack to peoples' lives.

For those who dream and wish to experience a live Led Zeppelin show, dream no more—Kashmir will fit the bill, hitting every stop along the way, leaving you thirsty
for more.

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Davisson Brothers Band

The Davisson Brothers Band has a unique style infusing a remarkable blend of country, southern rock, and bluegrass to create a distinctive sound captured in their first single, "Big City Hillbilly." This sound, combined with the band's talent and energy, has gained a loyal fan base all over the Eastern United States. Brothers Chris and Donnie Davisson and cousin Sammy Davisson, along with childhood friend Aaron Regester, are continuing musical pursuits started by the Davisson family long ago. Aaron's reliable drums and Sammy's solid bass groove provide the perfect foundation for Donnie's impassioned, soulful vocals with Sammy's flawless harmonies all driven by Chris's mind-bending blend of bluegrass, country, and blues guitar creating a sound unlike anything you've ever heard. "Music has always been a part of our lives," says Chris, "and now we're living our dad's and uncle's dream—playing music around the country and hearing ourselves on the radio."

Hells Bells

FOR 15 YEARS AND COUNTING, HELLS/BELLS IS THE WORLD'S #1 TRIBUTE TO AC/DC! TOURING 42 STATES, 50 WEEKS PER YEAR, HELLS/BELLS SALUTES THE DRIVING FORCE OF AC/DC IN A MANNER SURPASSED ONLY BY THE REAL AC/DC.

WITH AUTHENTIC COSTUMING, THE LOOK, THE SOUND, AND ALL OF THE CRAZY ANTICS OF ANGUS YOUNG, HELLS/BELLS IS TOTAL ENERGY, ABSOLUTE ADRENALINE – THE MOST COMPLETE PARTY EXPERIENCE ACCLAIMED ACROSS THE UNITED STATES, HONDURAS, MEXICO, TRINIDAD, AND EUROPE BY MANY DIE-HARD FANS.


HEAR ALL THE HITS OF BOTH SINGERS, BON SCOTT & BRIAN JOHNSON.

IF YOU CAN'T HAVE AC/DC, GET THE NEXT BEST THING…
FEEL THE THUNDER...THE POWER OF AC/DC...
HELLS/BELLS!

FOR THOSE ABOUT TO ROCK
HELLS/BELLS SALUTES YOU!!!

BAD MOTHER TRUCKER

Geared down and overloaded, BAD MOTHER TRUCKER sets out to be different than most bands in the Pittsburgh area.  With a wealth of experience and influences, BMT decided to take an old “new” approach, performing  rock anthems from the 70’s and early 80’s with a heavy edge, while retaining the 70’s tone and style.  BMT Vocalist, Al Branthoover (“Shovelhead”), brings powerful soul with incredible grit.  Guitarists, Chuck Robinson (“This Tortured Soul” and Global Recording Artist, “Trouble”) and Terry Nick (regional super group “Lize” and “Burlesque”), bring heavy influence from guitar greats of the 70’s, which is rare today.  Bassist, Don Stoneking (“Unhinged” and “Burning Earth”), is a throw-back to the days of 70’s culture.  Drummer, Armand Minghi (“Chastity” and “Copper Drama”), form a powerful foundation for BMT’s distinctive hard classic menu.  BMT will take you back to the days when music mattered and reflected the times of a generation.