Shovels & Rope, made up of husband and wife Michael Trent and Carry Ann Hearst, will perform right before REO Speedwagon on Friday, June 17, on the Coke Stage.The Riverbend Festival lineup is coming together with the announcement that REO Speedwagon, Shovels & Rope, Ambrosia and Firefall have been added to the schedule.
One of classic rock radio's staples for decades, REO Speedwagon will headline the Coke Stage on Friday, June 17. In the earlier slot on the stage, Shovels & Rope - husband and wife duo Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent - will bring their blend of country, rock and folk.
Ambrosia will perform Saturday, June 11, on the Unum Stage. In the '70s and early '80s, the band introduced its brand of soft rock with Top 10 hits "How Much I Feel" and "Biggest Part of Me" and others like "You're the Only Woman (You & I)" and "Holdin' on to Yesterday."
Firefall will play the Bud Light Stage on Sunday, June 12., and is best known for the Top 10 hit "You Are the Woman" and "Just Remember I Love You," which reached No. 11 on the charts.
Riverbend will take place June 10-18 along the 21st Century Waterfront.
In making the announcement, Riverbend Talent and Production Coordinator Joe "Dixie" Fuller says it's been 22 years since REO Speedwagon last played Riverbend and lead singer Kevin Cronin has been wanting to return.
"Kevin Cronin loves Riverbend and has wanted to come back for years," Fuller says. "He loved playing here and has let us know he wanted to come back."
Speedwagon's catalog includes the No. 1 hits, "Can't Fight This Feeling" and "Keep on Loving You," as well as Top 10 hits such as "Take It On the Run," "In Your Letter" and "Keep the Fire Burnin'." Its 1980 album "Hi Infidelity" sold more than 9 million copies in the U.S.
Shovel & Rope's Hearst has family living in Chattanooga and the duo was scheduled to play Riverbend two years ago but asked to be released from the contract so it could join a bigger tour. Fuller says the band pledged to find a return date for a similar fee.
"We parted as friends and they are making good on their promise," Fuller says. "It's nice when it turns out great for both parties."
Ambrosia, he says, provides "that Colorado mountain pop thing that we haven't done in awhile."
Previously announced Riverbend acts are ZZ Ward and Thomas Rhett (June 10), Heart (June 11), Trampled By Turtles (June 12), For King & Country (June 14) Brett Eldredge and Blackberry Smoke (June 15), Salt-N-Pepa and Umphrey's McGee (June 16).
Fuller says he will be announcing the final two headlining acts in the coming weeks.
Riverbend admission wristbands are currently available online only for $40. They will be available at area outlets in the coming weeks, according to Marketing and Promotion Coordinator Amy Morrow. They will be $55 at the gate during the event.
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.