The Sangamon River Music Festival Committee has released this year’s lineup, which includes three national acts on Saturday, alongside some local favorites Friday night.
Nashville hitmaker Jerrod Niemann will headline the SRMF on Saturday, August 26 at 9:30 p.m. One of country music’s most original and talented innovators, Niemann’s new single is a duet with his good friend and labelmate Lee Brice, called “A Little More Love.”
Jerrod is also adding the finishing touches to his forthcoming album on Curb Records which will follow his RIAA Platinum-certified multi-week No. 1 smash, “Drink to That All Night,” from his High Noon album, on which Niemann co-wrote eight of the 13 tracks. Niemann’s chart-topping major-label debut, 2010’s Judge Jerrod & The Hung Jury, produced the No. 1 smash and RIAA-certified Platinum digital single, “Lover, Lover,” and the Top 5 and RIAA-certified Gold digital single, “What Do You Want.” Second release Free The Music featured the Top 15 single “Shinin’ On Me” and the poignant ballad “Only God Could Love You More.”
Niemann has quickly become a fan and industry favorite, earning award nominations from the Academy of Country Music, the Country Music Association and CMT while headlining his own shows and touring with such artists as Dierks Bentley, Brad Paisley and Keith Urban.
Country legend Mark Chesnutt will open for Niemann at 7:45 p.m. Saturday.
Critics have hailed Chesnutt as a classic Country singer of the first order and some of Country music’s most elite entertainers, from George Jones to George Strait, echo the sentiment. Mark Chesnutt’s stature is easily gauged. He has 14 No. 1 hits, 23 top ten singles, four platinum albums and five gold records to his credit; he maintains a front-and-center presence with a hefty tour schedule year after year.
Mark’s dedication paid off. He developed a true blue fan base. “Fans,” he confides, “are the reason for my success.”
His fans helped his records to climb the charts one right after the other making him one of Billboard’s Ten Most-Played Radio Artists of the ‘90’s. Mark’s singles were some the decade’s most memorable; from the fun tempo “Bubba Shot The Jukebox” to emotional ballad “I’ll Think Of Something.” Mark is easily identified for his string of hits including “Brother Jukebox,” “Blame It On Texas,” “Old Flames Have New Names,” “Old Country,” “It Sure Is Monday,” “Almost Goodbye,” “I Just Wanted You To Know,” “Going Through The Big D,” “It’s A Little Too Late,” “Gonna Get A Life,” and one of his biggest, “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing;” a song that held its position at the top of the charts for four consecutive weeks.
With a trademarked voice, Chesnutt has set the bar for his generation and those that follow in his footsteps shaping the music of today’s country music newcomers and the new country music format.
Christian band We are Messengers will kick-off entertainment at the Mediacom stage at at 11:00 a.m Saturday.
Originally from Ireland now based in the United States, this band has played to over 750,000 people while on tour with Winter Jam and Big Daddy Weave. Their first radio single “Everything Comes Alive” was a Top 10 Hit and Top 5 hit at Christian Hot AC/CHR. Their current single “Magnify” is a Top 15 hit and was added by 20 stations during its first week.
Pennslyvania native and current Nashville resident Morgan Myles will follow the Christian band with her blend of country and soul music.
Myles completed her first solo record in 2009, writing every song and promoting it throughout Europe. She has also toured with CCMS’a 2009 best female artist, Crystal Shawanda and opened for Reba McEntire.
She released her EP, “Miss Morgan Myles” in January of 2016.
Other artists scheduled to perform Friday night include Ryan Ideus & the Feudin’ Hillbillies and Jury’s Out.
