2008 Fun Fest Concert Schedule

Fun Fest Committee
Published: May 14, 2008

Fun Fest 2008 (July 11-19) will feature award winning artists in a variety of style.  This year’s concerts include country, pop and pianists. 

“People want to know the scheduled performers and when they can buy tickets,” according to 2008 Fun Fest Chairman Olan O. Jones, Jr.  “These are great concerts at a price that would be hard to find in other venues for the same entertainment.”

Rodney Atkins presented by AGC Flatglass at the Community Concert, Thursday, July 17 (7:00 p.m.) Rodney Atkins will be performing at the Academy of Country Music (ACM) awards Sunday, May 18. He is nominated for six awards. His current album If You Are Going Through Hell has produced four #1 hits including the title song and “Cleaning This Gun”.  Opening for Atkins is Ashley Gearing, whose current single is titled “Out the Window.” Additional sponsors are NewsChannel 11 and 96.9 WXBQ.

Gavin Degraw presented by Domtar and Eastman Credit Union at the Friday Night Live Concert, July 18 (7:00 p.m.) Known for the opening tune of TV show “One Tree Hill,” Gavin Degraw’s first album Chariot went platinum with over 1 million sales. His new album Gavin Degraw was the #1 ITUNES album during its first week of release last week. Opening for Degraw will be “Saving Jane” making a return visit to Fun Fest and local artist Brinley Addington. Saving Jane previously played in 2006 at Fun Fest. Media sponsors are NewsChannel 11 and Electric 94.9.

Little Big Town presented by Eastman Chemical Company, Saturday, July 19 (8:00 p.m.) – 2007 CMA Horizon Award winner Little Big Town is nominated for Top Vocal Group at the 2008 ACM awards. Their second album, The Road to Here produced 4 top 20 hits including “Boondocks”. Their current single is I’m with the Band. Little Big Town will follow opening act Trey Hensley and Driving Force. Hensley is a Jonesborough native. The concert is also sponsored by Charter Media, 104.9 WKOS – The Peak, and AM 1320 WGOC.

Brock Services, Ltd will be the stage sponsor for all three concerts. These concerts will be held in the J. Fred Johnson Stadium at Dobyns Bennett High School, 1800 Legion Dr in Kingsport. General admission tickets for each evening concert go on sale June 21 at Fun Fest Store in Kingsport Town Center.  Prices will be $7.50 in advance (through July 10) and $10 beginning July 11.  Online sales begin June 21 for $10 per ticket.

Friends of Festus packages are a value-added option for concert-goers.  Friends of Festus seating packages are $100 for two seats (chairs provided) for one concert night or $200 for those planning to attend all three evening concerts. The package also includes a reserved parking area close to the stadium and a $15 Fun Fest merchandise gift certificate. Friends of Festus packages are available now at the Fun Fest office at the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce, 151 East Main St, Kingsport.

Other musical events include the Southern Gospel Concert featuring Dino Kartsonakis. He is a eight-time Dove Award winning pianist. This concert will be held at the Toy F. Reid Employee Center on Saturday, July 12. Tickets will be $5.  The concert is sponsored by the Kingsport New Car Dealers Association, Kingsport Times-News and WPTK – 870 AM. 

Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Boys will perform at the Hot New Orleans Night Concert Friday July 11 at 8 pm. This concert is sponsored by the Kingsport Times-News on the Morgan Keegan Stage at Glen Bruce Park and is free to the public.

Vic Danger and the Voodoo Doctors will perform at the free Rhythm in Riverview Concert on Monday, July 14 at the newly renovated V.O. Dobbins Park. Kingsport native Vic Danger (also known as Victor Simon) performed last weekend at the Jenna Bush wedding with the Tyrone Smith Revue. Vic currently lives in Nashville and is the founder and chairman for the National Alliance Musicians Network. Opening for Vic Danger and the Voodoo Doctors will be The Zulu Connection. These former New Orleans residents perform stilt walking and educate the public on African customs and history. Rhythm in Riverview is sponsored by Nathan Vaughn State Farm Insurance, The Kingsport Housing Authority, The South Central Development Corporation, The Kingsport Community Foundation, The Arts Fund of East Tennessee, The Kingsport Arts Council and WKPT TV.

For more information about Fun Fest, visit http://www.funfest.net or call (423) 392-8809.