14th Annual Depot Days

Depot Days’ 14th Annual Festival will be held Saturday, September 24, 2011, on Front Street in downtown Newport, Arkansas.

In the wake of the Arkansas legislature and Governor Mike Beebe officially designating Old Highway 67 as “The Rock ‘n’ Roll Highway,” Depot Days organizers have dug deep to amass the finest lineup of musical talent to highlight this years’ festival.  Continuing its’ tradition of featuring the early rock and roll sounds heard throughout the nightclubs and honky-tonks which lined the highway in the 50’s and 60’s, this years festival will offer genuine rock and roll music spanning over 50 years of American popular culture.

You cannot find a more genuine slate of living rock and roll legends than you will see at Depot Days.  Sonny Burgess and his Legendary Pacers are still blowing away crowds of Rockabilly fans throughout America and Europe.  Original Sun Records saxophone session man Ace Cannon will bring his sweet soul and “tuff” rockin’ jazz repertoire to Front Street.  Jerry Lee Lewis and Billy Lee Riley original drummer J.M. Van Eaton along with Muscle Shoals guitar wizard Travis Wammack will bring rock and soul sounds in their new incarnation as the “Rockin’ Sunsabillies.”  Memphis psycho-billy newcomers the “Stunning Cunning Band” will deliver the newest generation of original rock and roll to fans of all ages.

Headlining this year’s show will be the “Georgia Satellites” who will bring the blazing slide guitar of Rick Richards and their smash hit
“Keep Your Hands to Yourself.”  The Satellites are also famous for their 1988 rendition of early Beatles rockabilly hit “Hippy Hippy Shake.”

Food, vendors, crafts, children’s activities, and a cash prize barbeque contest will be offered for all to enjoy.  Admission is FREE!

For more information contact the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce at (870) 523-3618, email director@newportarchamber.org, or www.depotdays.org.  Become a fan of Depot Days on Facebook!