If you go
› What: Thunder on the Rock Bike Rally & Music Festival.› When: Friday and Saturday, July 22-23; gates open at 8 a.m. CDT today, July 21.› Where: 5118 Brawley Road (off U.S. 41), Monteagle, Tenn.› Admission: $50 in advance, $65 at the gate for whole weekend; $35 Saturday only; $40 support vehicles; $25 golf carts.› Phone: 423-994-7013.› Website: www.thunderontherockmusicfestival.com
Schedule
Friday, July 224 p.m. Bad Habits Band5:30 p.m. Jackwagon7 p.m. Aunt Betty8:45 p.m. Geneva10:30 p.m. Trick PonySaturday, July 234 p.m. Overwatch5:30 p.m. Marlow Drive7 p.m. Monty Hill Band8:45 p.m. Groove Holler10:30 p.m. Rodney Atkins
Thunder on the Rock, the bike rally that doubles as a music festival, returns with country artists Rodney Atkins and Trick Pony headlining this weekend's concerts in Monteagle, Tenn.
Previously a Memorial Day weekend tradition, Thunder on the Rock is celebrating its 10th year with a move to mid-July.
"We just wanted to try something different," says spokeswoman Linda Partin. "We hope it turns out."
Gates open at 8 a.m. CDT today, July 21, for campers to begin setting up. Camping is optional at the festival, as is arriving by motorcycle.
"You don't have to have a bike," Partin says. "We get a lot of walk-ins."
Those who aren't camping can park for free in a come-and-go parking area within walking distance of the staging area, Partin says. Those who choose to camp in support vehicles will not be allowed to move their campers, cars or trucks during the entirety of the festival.
"We don't like a lot of cars roaming around because we have so many [people] walking around," Partin says.
Motorcycles are allowed to come and go at will, and their entry is included in the cost of the ticket.
Partin says previous festivals have drawn crowds ranging from 2,500 to 5,000. Tickets are available for both days, Friday and Saturday, July 22-23, or for Saturday only.
Music starts at 4 p.m. CDT both days. Friday's headliner, Trick Pony, is the duo of Heidi Newfield and Keith Burns. They founded the band (along with Ira Dean) in 1996 and charted eight singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, including four Top 20 hits: "Pour Me," "On a Night Like This," "Just What I Do" and "On a Mission." After a musical hiatus to pursue different creative paths starting in December 2006, Trick Pony re-formed as a duo in 2014 and released their latest album, "Pony Up," this year.
Saturday headliner Rodney Atkins, a Knoxville native, was named the Academy of Country Music's Top New Male Vocalist in 2006. Since then, he has charted six No. 1 singles on the country charts: "If You're Going Through Hell (Before the Devil Even Knows)," "Watching You," "These Are My People," "Cleaning This Gun (Come On in Boy)," "It's America" and "Take a Back Road."
Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281.
Need to know
› Age restrictions: Must be 18 or older with valid ID. No children of any age, from infants to teens, will be admitted.› Camping: Primitive camping is free. Hot showers will be available for $10. There is a $40 charge for support vehicles such as cars or trucks with attached campers that park inside the main gate. Support vehicles must fit within a 20-foot by 50-foot space or pay an additional fee.› Support vehicles vs. motorcycles: Once parked, support vehicles, including cars and pickups, must remain parked for the duration of the festival. Motorcycles may come and go anywhere at any time. Those who do not wish to bring a support vehicle inside the gates may park for free outside the event area and walk or ride a shuttle to the event.› Golf carts: They’re allowed this year with a $25 pass. Four-wheelers are prohibited.› Bring/don’t bring: Generators are permitted. Do not bring weapons, glass bottles, pets or coolers.