Director of Communications
amanda.murphy@tn.gov
615-741-9010
Senior Communications Manager
jill.kilgore@tn.gov
615-927-1320
Communications Manager
Alli.Lapps@tn.gov
SOUTH PITTSBURG, Tenn. – The 2017 National Cornbread Festival has a tuneful lineup for a rockin’ good time 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 29 and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 30 in downtown South Pittsburg.
More than 40 musical acts perform during the festival weekend. The 2017 headliner is singer/songwriter Keith Anderson. Tickets for all performances are included in gate admission which is $7.
The full lineup includes:
2017 HEADLINER – KEITH ANDERSON
Singer/Songwriter Keith Anderson has co-written hits for other artists, most notably “Lost In This Moment”, the No. 1 smash for Big & Rich which garnered him a CMA and ACM Song of the Year nomination, Anderson does not write with other artists in mind.
Anderson also co-wrote the Grammy-nominated, “Beer Run (B Double E Double Are You In?)” for Garth Brooks and George Jones, “The Bed” for Gretchen Wilson and “Barn Burner” for Jason Michael Carroll.
His debut CD, “Three Chord Country and American Rock & Roll”, was certified Gold and garnered two Top 10 hits (accompanied by two No. 1 music videos), “Pickin’ Wildflowers,” and “Every Time I Hear Your Name,” along with two Top 30 hits “XXL” and “Podunk.” This success prompted music trades Billboard and Radio & Records to name him country music’s No. 1 New Male Artist of 2005 and the top new solo country artist of the year.
It wasn’t just his music that was getting attention. Anderson was named one of People Magazine’s “50 Hottest Bachelors”, and Men’s Fitness Magazine’s, “Ultimate Country Star”.
Anderson’s sophomore CD garnered the biggest hit of his career, “I Still Miss You”, which peaked at #2 and another Top 25 hit, “Sunday Morning in America”. Taking the lead with other gold and platinum artists, Anderson decided to take hold of the reigns this time by launching his music his own way and letting the fans help drive his music and passion. “I’ll Bring the Music” has had a huge resonance with the fans.” says Anderson. “As I tour all over the country, that is the song that gets them on their feet and is the song they are still singing as they head out the door. It reminds me of how “Pickin’ Wildflowers moved them”. And now Sirius XM Radio is “Dancin’ to the Beat” as it has been added to The Highway channel 59’s program, “On the Horizon”.
2017 Full List of Featured Artists
LESLIE TOM
From the first few notes of a Leslie Tom song, you’re instantly taken back to a time when singers like Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn were winning the hearts of country music lovers everywhere. But keep listening, and you’ll hear a voice and a sound that is remarkably current, even timeless.
This Denver based songstress is defying the odds by steering away from the “Nashville style” country trends. Instead, combining relatable lyrics with her bubbly, sassy personality and an un-mistakable voice (along with the occasional fiddle and pedal steel guitar), Leslie Tom stands poised to hit the mainstream with her own traditional-modern spin on country music.
KEITH HARLING
Keith Harling is not only a national artist, but a favorite of the Chattanooga area.
New traditionalist country singer Keith Harling built himself a drum set at the age of ten and taught himself to play by mimicking the musicians he watched on television; throughout high school and college, Harling also played bass, saxophone, and trumpet in a variety of local rock bands. After a period in Florida, he relocated to Nashville but found the music industry impenetrable, and after six months returned to Chattanooga. There Harling spent the next seven years honing his writing and performing skills in area clubs. Finally, in 1996, he signed to MCA’s publishing division as a songwriter, and after playing a showcase, he landed a recording contract just six weeks later. His debut LP, Write It in Stone, followed in 1998; Bring It On appeared a year later.
BAREFOOT NELLIE & COMPANY
Barefoot Nellie and Company is a smooth driving bluegrass band. The group was founded in 2007 by husband and wife duo Eric and August Bruce. They compile impressive driving, darker arrangements, blending standard traditional bluegrass with a more innovative approach.
DREW STERCHI & BLUES TRIBE
Chattanooga’s Premier Blues Guitarist and Sonic Canvas Recording Artist, Drew Sterchi, currently touring with Blues Tribe in support of his latest CD, “Left Here With The Blues”, featuring Virginia Sterchi on vocals.
AJ GHENT BAND
AJ Ghent constructs an indie-rock sound howling from the church to the blues. His style can be defined as fresh, nostalgic, electrifying and rootsy, — fusing the sounds blues, funk, and r & b, together into a genre he likes to call, NEO BLUES.
TESTIMONY QUARTET
With a combined 150 years of Gospel Music history, the Testimony Quartet has seen countless miles and performed throughout the southeastern United States. The group features three members of the Tri-State Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Bass singer Ken Hicks, the popular US101 Morning Show host and multiple CMA award winner is also known for his popular Sunday morning “The Gospel Road” program of over 30 years. Together the group shares the singular purpose of sharing the Gospel and bringing joy to others through music. Great four-part harmony, a little humor now and then, and a strong desire to see others know the Savior are but a few reasons why you will enjoy an evening with The Testimony Quartet.
DIRT ROAD DAISES
Like combining country greats like Patsy Cline & Loretta Lynn into one unique, powerful sound, their music is unlike anything else in today’s market.
TIM HUGHES QUARTET
Trumpet player, Tim Hughes, leads a quartet featuring tunes made popular by jazz trumpet players through the years, such Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Freddy Hubbard, Chuck Mangione, and Louis Armstrong.
TRUSAINT
TruSaint is a rapper who spreads the Gospel through Savior Gang Entertainment LLC as CEO. His company is geared towards promoting Jesus through music, films, stage plays, art, fashion and more.
MATT DOWNER – Old Time Traveler
A veteran performer, he has played at various venues and festivals including – Rock City, Tivoli, Nightfall, Riverbend and the International Stringband Festival, performing with legendary artists such as – Carolina Chocolate Drops, Pokey Lafarge, Jack Rose, Michael Hurley and Norman Blake.
His most recent album was recorded without electricity, directly to wax cylinders, on a 1906 Edison Gramophone at the MTSU Center For Popular Music. A performance by Matt is a trip back in time to the “good old days” of early American music.
WILDCAT RIDGE
Members of Wildcat Ridge are scattered from parts of Tennessee and Alabama, and come together to give audiences traditional bluegrass, folk, and classic country music.
BOOGERTOWN GAP
Boogertown Gap is Ruth Barber and Keith Watson who perform old-time mountain music as Boogertown Gap. Their musical performance includes stories and history of the music, ballads, fiddle tunes, dance tunes and spirituals performed in traditional style and on traditional instruments: fiddle, guitar, claw-hammer banjo, pennywhistle, spoons, washboard, washtub bass and Native American flute. They are joined by fiddler Jesse Wine who is carrying on the fiddle tradition of Melvin Wine of West Virginia.
ULTIMATE OLDIES
The Ultimate Oldies is a musical stage show based out of Manchester, Tn. consisting of live band, singers, actors, and dancers that features all your favorites from the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and even a little 80’s. They primarily perform doo wop, rock and roll, girl groups, Motown, Beach music, folk, disco and pop. They also have a classic country show and Christmas shows to offer.
MELINDA CHANEY
Melinda Chaney is a Tennessee native and has been performing throughout the southeast at festivals and churches for the last 4 years. Chaney’s performances are encouraging and inspiring with a splash of fun.
BREAKOUT COLLECTIVE
Breakout Collective is a group of professional musicians/sidemen that have formed a band to present vocal, jazz oriented versions of current and past familiar tunes.
For a full schedule of events and more information, visit www.nationalcornbread.com.
# # #
Director of Communications
amanda.murphy@tn.gov
615-741-9010
Senior Communications Manager
jill.kilgore@tn.gov
615-927-1320
Communications Manager
Alli.Lapps@tn.gov