Thunder Rolling In

First round of festival artists named last week

Several months ago, organizers of the Thunder on the Mountain country music festival announced the event would be returning in 2015 after a one-year hiatus. It will take place June 26-28.

Now, there's been more news. The first half of the lineup was announced late last week.

FAQ

Thunder on the Mountain

WHEN — June 26-28

WHERE — Mulberry Mountain, located about 20 miles north of Ozark on Arkansas 23

ADMISSION — Starting at $109 for a three-day pass, not including camping

INFO — thunderonthemountai…

Headlining the festival will be Zac Brown Band, making a return to the Mulberry Mountain grounds north of Ozark. The country band with Southern rock influences previously performed on the site as a headlining act in 2011. In the time since, their music has only grown in popularity and acclaim, including a 2012 Grammy win for Best Country Album with "Uncaged."

Joining Zac Brown Band in 2015 will be The Band Perry, which has recorded several No. 1 country hits; Eli Young Band, which frequents Northwest Arkansas and has also recorded several hits; and Frankie Ballard, an up-and-comer who took the songs "Helluva Life" and "Sunshine & Whiskey" to the top of the country charts this year.

There was a large regional contingent listed in the first announcement as well. Acts such as the Trey Hawkins Band call Arkansas home, and Lance Carpenter grew up in nearby Ozark.

The festival debuted in 2013 with headlining acts Toby Keith and Luke Bryan. It drew thousands of fans. Festival director Brett Mosiman, who also directs the Wakarusa and Yonder Mountain String Band's Harvest Festival events at the same site, said in October that his production group decided to postpone Thunder on the Mountain for a year to refocus energy and effort. The first year was a success in all aspects except financially, he said at the time.

An additional announcement completing the lineup was expected to arrive on Thursday after the press deadline for this publication. For updates, please visit our live music blog at nwatunedin.com.

-- Kevin Kinder

[email protected]

NAN What's Up on 12/19/2014

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