Don’t confuse the Blue Ridge Music Festival on Saturday, June 1 with an earlier musical event featuring Willie Nelson that was also held in Salem. That’s what the promoters at Outback Concerts are stressing about the first-time Blue Ridge Music Festival, which will bring a handful of well known country acts to Salem Stadium for an all-day show.
CMA and Grammy winners Little Big Town will headline the event. Charles Esten (who also plays Deacon Claybourne on the hit ABC show “Nashville”), Colt Ford, Gloriana, Greg Bates, Hunter Hayes, Will Hoge and Virginia’s own Skip Castro Band round out the lineup. Tickets are $40 or $99.50 for a VIP package -boxed lunch, after-party, reserved parking, VIP entry etc.. On the day of show ticket prices will rise to $45.
“We’re kind of disassociating it [from the former Blue Ridge Music Festival],” said promoter Andrew Farwell of an event formerly co-managed by the City of Salem. Farwell says similar Outback concerts have been held in smaller cities, often at minor league baseball or football stadiums; Zac Brown came to Salem Stadium (the football field) courtesy of Nashville-based Outback Concerts several years ago. Outback also promotes a music and food festival with Brown in Charleston, SC and in Nashville, two all-day events that have been very successful.
Outback is one of the largest independent promotion groups in the country, running the gamut from classic rock to comedy acts and country music, as one would expect of a Nashville company. “We go from clubs, all the way up to arenas and festivals,” said Farwell. There is no connection to Outback Steakhouse. “Unfortunately,” jokes Farwell, “that would be delicious.”
As for the lineup on June 1, young Hunter Hayes is sort of the flavor of the month. “He just got off a tour with Carrie Underwood. We’re happy to have him on the bill,” said Farwell, adding that younger audiences and families seem to gravitate towards Hayes. Little Big Town’s recent hits Pontoon and Tornado are just the latest from that band’s extensive catalog.
Esten is a talented performer who also happens to be on a hit TV show. He also doesn’t get out on the road much to perform. “This is a special appearance that he’s doing and we’re excited to have him,” said Farwell.
Doors open at 10 am with the Legendary Skip Castro Band kicking things off at 11. Little Big Town ends the night with a 90-minute set, with Salem’s curfew set at 11 pm. An after-party next door at the Salem Civic Center will ensure that festivities will continue “well on in to the night,” said Farwell. People can come and go until 4:30 pm, when they cannot leave the stadium and reenter after that.
“We are very pleased to be partnering with Mike Smardak and the fine people at Outback Concerts on this event – and hope to make the Blue Ridge Music Festival an annual event in Salem Stadium,” said Carey Harveycutter, Salem’s director of Civic Facilities. Ticket sales were “crazy” as of last week, according to Farwell, who expects a big crowd for the rain or shine event.
“It’s going to be a great day,” promises Farwell. He calls it the largest country music festival in the state of Virginia in 2013. “We’re jam-packed with the lineup here…non-stop entertainment.”
By Gene Marrano
