Charlie Daniels, Allman Brothers to highlight festival

AUGUSTA — Fans of Southern rock and Southern cooking will enjoy another helping of both as the legendary Charlie Daniels, Blackberry Smoke, Molly Hatchet, Marshall Tucker and the Outlaws will have encore performances at the 8th annual Rock, Ribs & Ridges music and food festival.
Allman Brothers’ co-founder and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Butch Trucks and his Freight Train Band will make their festival debut.
Presented by Franklin Sussex Auto Mall, the annual festival at the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta fires up the summer out door concert and grilling season with a full weekend of great music and mouthwatering barbecue from June 24-25, 2017. Tickets go on sale Friday morning, Dec. 16 at 10 a.m.
Top competitive ribbers from around the country including local favorites will man the smokers in serving up ribs, brisket, pork, wings and plenty of delicious side dishes to those attending this annual bash.
“We’re returning to our roots with our greatest lineup ever of Southern and country artists,” said Festival Executive Producer Howard Freeman of Promo 1. “We’re thrilled to have Charlie Daniels, a true country legend, back with us along with fan favorites Marshall Tucker and the Outlaws. We’re also very excited to have Blackberry Smoke and Molly Hatchet, two bands that played here when we were starting out, return to our lineup, as well as Butch Trucks, one of the architects of Southern rock.”
The Marshall Tucker Band will be making their fifth appearance at Rock, Ribs & Ridges; it will be the fourth for the Outlaws. Blackberry Smoke performed in 2011 and Molly Hatchet in 2012. Also returning are The Steppin’ Stones, who were a huge hit in their debut last year.
“These were among the powerhouse groups that established the Southern hard rock sound,” said Freeman. “Great music, great food, craft beers, camping out and having an awesome time, what better experience could a music fan have?”
It hasn't been so much a style of music but more of values that have connected Country Music Hall of Famer Charlie Daniels to millions of fans over a 50-year career. The music icon (“Long Haired Country Boy,” “The South's Gonna Do It,” “The Devil Went Down to Georgia”), who will perform at Rock, Ribs & Ridges for the third time, is known for his fiddle playing and exhilarating mixture of rock, country, bluegrass, blues, and gospel — plus his signature “bull rider” hat and belt buckle — as well as being notorious for a down-home, good-old-boy attitude.
His 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.
Barbecue fans will have the opportunity to enjoy great food throughout the weekend from award-winning chefs who will be competing in a juried rib cook-off. Texas Smoke BBQ of Jefferson Township, NJ, is a multiple “Best Ribs” and “Best Sauce” champion and is a local crowd favorite and Weis Markets “People’s Choice” winner.
“From our Miller Mezzanine VIP experience close to the stage to camping out throughout the weekend just a short walk from the festival area at the Fairgrounds with exclusive campers after-party concerts each night, we’re very attuned to creating a great festival atmosphere,” said Freeman.
For tickets and additional information visit www.rockribsandridges.com.