Hometown Rising is upon us and I have the run-down of the sets you should absolutely have on your schedule. There is a phenomenal mix of legends and newcomers on the lineup. Hometown Rising is bringing together the likes of Dwight Yoakam, Gabby Barrett and The Steel Woods as well as festival staples Tim McGraw, Keith Urban and Luke Bryan.
If you can fit the entire lineup in – DO IT. It’ll be a worthwhile challenge with 31 performers, a plethora of bourbon stops and enough food vendors to never have to eat the same thing twice.
While the staples and legends are always going draw an audience, this festival brings a diverse crop of new(er) faces as well. That’s who I’ll be focusing on today. Let’s get into who you should have on your schedule.
* Dillon Carmichael: Carmichael first caught my ears with his refined country ballad, Dancing
Away With My Heart, and I haven’t been able to stop listening to the sultry track. With his
soulful voice, truthful lyrics and traditional country sound – The Kentucky native is sure to give
the home crowd a memorable performance.
* Everette: If the tongue-in-cheek, Mugshots, is any indication of the enjoyment these guys bring
live – I’m there. The vibrant steel guitars, earworm melodies and harmonies combine to make
an experience on recordings and should make for a great set.
*Clare Dunn: Dunn can shred. I’ve been in the audience when she broke a string on her only
guitar. She fixed it on stage and kept going. That’s who she is. She pays homage to Seger and
Adele, alike, and does it like a true professional. A guitar-wielding woman with a unique sound
and swagger all her own – She is a must see at any stage she graces.
* Jimmie Allen: Allen is a showman. A self-deprecating, unapologetic country boy from Delaware –
Allen has carved a place for himself with songs like Underdogs and Best Shot. I saw him earlier
this year at a writers round and the soul put into his music is something that can’t be taught.
*Hannah Ellis: Coming off supporting roles touring with Gavin DeGraw and Cassadee Pope, Ellis is
primed to make a splash on the Boots & Bourbon Stage. The Nashville-based songwriter, who
has cuts with Russell Dickerson and Danielle Bradbery, usually plays a lively acoustic set with her
guitarist and blows the roof off with her powerful vocal.
Grab a bourbon and enjoy her repertoire of fun-loving country songs including her new one, Friends Like These. I couldn’t fit all the new artists I love and appreciate here but you can head on over to here to check out the schedule and here to buy tickets. See you there!
