Charlie Daniels to have encore at Rock, Ribs & Ridges Festival
AUGUSTA — Southern legend Charlie Daniels will make his only area appearance with an encore performance at the 6th annual Rock, Ribs & Ridges festival on June 28.
The music icon brings his fiddle and mixture of rock, country, bluegrass, blues and gospel to North Jersey as Franklin Sussex Auto Mall presents two days of music and barbecue at the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta on June 27 to 28.
“We’re thrilled to have Charlie Daniels back headlining the area’s premier summer rock and rib festival,” said Festival Executive Producer Howard Freeman of Promo 1, who noted that Daniels’ performance in 2013 helped the festival’s growth and eventual move to the expansive fairgrounds.
It hasn't been so much a style of music but more of values that have connected Charlie Daniels to millions of fans over a 50-year career. A talented and showy fiddler, Daniels is known for his signature “bull rider” hat and belt buckle as well as being notorious for a down-home, good-old-boy attitude.
Daniels’ rebel anthems "Long Haired Country Boy" and "The South's Gonna Do It" propelled his 1975 collection "Fire On the Mountain" to double platinum status. He won a Grammy Award in 1979 for "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," which still receives regular airplay on classic rock and country stations.
A proud member of the Grand Ole Opry, Daniels has received numerous industry honors including awards from the Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music. He has been honored by the Pentagon for his support of military personnel.
Daniels’ Volunteer Jam, which began in 1974, has served as the prototype for many of today's day-long music marathons, including Rock, Ribs & Ridges, which features as many as nine bands over two days.
FestivalAfter featuring a “Who’s Who” in Southern rock during its early years, the festival added classic rock last year with George Thorogood & the Destroyers headlining to great success. The festival then surveyed more than 3,000 people during the winter with 39.9 percent favoring Southern rock and 38.6 percent wanting classic rock, so Freeman looks to keep that winning formula going this summer.
“One of the reasons for our success is that we listen to our fan base and continually strive to meet their needs,” said Freeman. “Our Miller Mezzanine provides a great VIP experience close to the stage. We’ve added more space for those who enjoy setting up their own tents and we’ve added RV and camping options with live music for those who want to maximize their enjoyment and stay the entire weekend.”
Attendees have been hands-on from the very beginning as they have the opportunity to vote for the Weis Markets People’s Choice winner among the top regional chefs who compete in a juried rib cook-off and serve up award-winning barbecue fare throughout the weekend.
For tickets and additional information visit www.rockribsandridges.com.