Members of Atlanta Rhythm Section include Jim Keeling, Rodney Justo, David Anderson, Dean Daughtry, Paul Goddard and Steve Stone.Organizers of Libertyfest II hope it will be a hot time, but nothing like last year, when the inaugural outdoor community celebration saw temperatures reach 107 degrees.
Headlining this year's concert and community get-together, set for June 29 at Camp Jordan in East Ridge, will be Atlanta Rhythm Section. Also performing will be Roger Alan Wade and Chris McDaniel. Stallion, a local Southern rock group, will open the day's music festivities at 5 p.m.
The event is presented by the East Ridge Merchant's Association.
Performing in last year's weather-oven were Cody McCarver, JoyScout, Roger Alan Wade, Chris McDaniel, Davey Smith, Nathan Farrow and the Stratoblasters.
"As long as we don't get temperatures like that, we'll be fine," says Stump Martin, recreation director at Camp Jordan.
ERMA President Linda Stafford is hopeful the weather cooperates.
"Atlanta Rhythm Section will appeal to a lot of different people in many different age groups," Stafford says. "My favorite ARS song is 'Doraville,' but when I checked up on more of their songs, they had a lot of hits."
Those include "I'm Not Gonna Let It Bother Me Tonight," "Champagne Jam," "So Into You," "Imaginary Lover," "Angel," "Do It Or Die," "Neon Nites" and a cover version of the Classics IV hit, "Spooky."
ARS will perform on the Camp Jordan amphitheater stage beginning at 8:30 p.m. A fireworks show will conclude the evening beginning at 10 p.m.
Vendors will be on hand to provide food and beverages for the family oriented event.
Wade says he's hopeful the weather plays nice and that people will come out after last year.
"Please don't lose heart. Everyone did a fantastic job," he says. "The weather was the one and only issue. It's a beautiful site with great folks and everyone should be very proud."
The longtime local performer will fill his set with familiar favorites beginning at 7 p.m. He is known for his colorful and funny songs, as well as hit songs recorded by Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and George Jones.
He is perhaps best known for the No. 1 country song "Country State of Mind," recorded by Hank Williams Jr., and "If You're Gonna Be Dumb, You Gotta Be Tough," used in the soundtrack to the movie "Jackass."
His cousin, Johnny Knoxville, writer and executive producer of "Jackass," helped to rejuvenate Wade's career by hooking him up with radio personality Howard Stern, who later had Wade perform live on his show in New York.
McDaniel spent 16 years with the award-winning, multi-platinum group Confederate Railroad, but left the popular group in 2000 because of a $70,000-a-year cocaine addiction. Since finding God, he has embarked on a solo career and shared the stage with many of today's top Christian singers, including David Phelps of the Gaither Vocal Band, Clay Crosse, Jars of Clay, Big Daddy Weave, Barlow Girl, Chris Rice, Natalie Grant and Charles Billingsly. He will perform at 6 p.m.
Food vendors interested in participating in the event should call Randy Carpenter at 423-635 8038.
Contact staff writer Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.