The stage lineup for the New “BBQ RIBFEST” scheduled for Thursday, July 24 through Sunday, July 27in Military Park features a number of local and touring Blues musicians, including a tribute to Texas Blues-Rock icons ZZ Top.
Friday’s headliner is Canadian Blues Hall of Famer Stacy Mitchhart. Mitchhart is a former winner of the Albert King Award from the Blues foundation and been lauded by the New York Jazz & Blues Society. He has appeared on Monday Night Football, TBS’ “Dinner & A Movie”, and PBS’ Jubilee Concert Series. A documentary based on the musician’s life, NASHVEGAS BLUES, premiered on the Documentary Channel in 2009.
Saturday night features Chicago based ZZ TOP Tribute band ELIMINATOR, a striking impersonation of the Texas based Rock & Roll Hall of Famers. ELIMINATOR has shared the stage with legends Ted Nugent, 38 Special, Grand Funk and Molly Hatchet.
Other blues performers for the event include two bands from Chicago: Howard & The White Boys and Big Daddy Dupree and the Broke & Hungry Blues Band. Also onstage will be Ray Fuller and the Bluesrockers (opening act for Muddy Waters, and Stevie Ray Vaughn) Toronto’s Anthony Gomes- formerly #1 on Billboard blues chart. The Bryce Janey Band (Iowa Blues Hall of Famer) and the Todd Harold Band.
The lineup also has two hot bands fronted by women: Bloomington’s The Sad Sam Blues Jam and Fort Wayne Country-Rock group Sugar Shot, which bills itself as Hyperactive ‘Country With A Shot Of Rock’.
Local performers include Indy’s Tad Robinson, The Zak Knight Band, Doug Henthorn, and rockers Press the Glass.
Nine national and regional barbecue teams will offer favorites like ribs, chicken, pulled pork and beef brisket, each with signature sauces. Many of the participants have been on TV outlets like the Food Channel. Highlighting the list of cooks is Georgetown, South Carolina’s Solomon Williams, known nationally as the “Carolina Rib King.” Williams was a 2012 finalist on the popular TV competition BBQ PITMASTERS on the Destination America cable network.
Organizers of the New BBQ RIBFEST promise lower food and beverage prices, allowing patrons to sample more items and attend more often. The group has produced a similar event in Fort Wayne for 17 years, named in 2009 as one of the Top Ten Ribfests in America by Martha Stewart Living Magazine.
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