(KAIR)--Just in time for holiday gift giving, tickets for Atchison's annual concert to kickoff July's Amelia Earhart Festival go on sale, and the line-up of major artists now announced.
That came during a visit Friday morning to the 93.7 FM Morning Petting Zoo by Jacque Pregont, Coordinator for the annual festival held in honor of Earhart, whose childhood was spent in Atchison.
Headlining the July 17 concert, to again be held at the Atchison Riverfront, is the country music of Blackhawk, followed by that of Lorrie Morgan. “We can’t wait for Music on the Riverfront this year!! We’re excited about BlackHawk! I’ve had so many requests to bring them to the Amelia Earhart Festival! We’ve finally done it!,” Pregont stated. “And Lorrie Morgan has one of those voices that captivate an audience! BlackHawk harmonies and Lorrie Morgan’s voice – what a tremendous night of entertainment to look forward to!”
From Pregont's release announcing the lineup:
--We are delighted to have BlackHawk headline Friday night’s entertainment!
With over seven million albums sold, their unique sense of harmony continues to entertain fans and promises another enjoyable night on Atchison’s Riverfront.
Today BlackHawk continues to honor its past as it forges its future, and does it all with a commitment that takes their music – and the harmony – to a whole new level. “When we started,” says BlackHawk co-founder & lead vocalist Henry Paul, “our individual careers as writers and performers gave us somewhat of a more creative sensibility. We were three guys whose goal was to approach country with smart songs and unique harmonies for people who may not automatically like country.”
“Even though the three of us had a love and appreciation for traditional country music,” says Dave, “we knew we weren’t going to be that. Henry was coming from Southern Rock, Van & I were in Nashville, but were writing country songs with pop sensibilities. What set us apart from the very beginning musically was being true to who we were individually.”
BlackHawk’s 1993 self-titled Arista debut album launched with the smash single “Goodbye Says It All”, followed by the Top 5 hits "Every Once in a While", "I Sure Can Smell the Rain", "Down in Flames" and "That's Just About Right". The album soon certified Double-Platinum, and the band received an ACM nomination as Best New Vocal Group Of The Year.But at the height of the trio’s success in 1999, Van Stephenson was diagnosed with an aggressive form of melanoma. “Van’s contribution to the group was enormous,” Henry says. “He could be a tremendously gifted songwriter and a deeply spiritual guy. We found ourselves at a crossroads as a band, and it would
have been an easy time for country music to count us out.” Since Van’s death on April 8th, 2001, the band and its fans have raised nearly a quarter of a million dollars for The Van Stephenson Memorial Cancer Fund at Nashville’s Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.
For the fans, for the music and for the brotherhood of Henry and Dave, harmony remains a powerful force. BlackHawk continues to record new music – including their well-received 2015 Brothers Of The Southland album, a forthcoming Christmas record and an acoustic greatest hits album – and deliver stellar live shows, backed by an all-star band of veteran country and southern rock players.
-- We’re also thrilled to welcome Lorrie Morgan to the Riverfront Stage, bringing undeniably one of the most eloquently emotive vocalists of modern times to the AE Festival!
Lorrie Morgan was the first woman in her genre to begin her career with three consecutive Platinum albums! "Where I am in my life right now, I'm not afraid to express what I feel," she says. “I'm not afraid to express my views on anything, especially on being a woman and my experiences in this business and in life.”
Morgan is known for her lustrous vocal phrasing and the down-to-earth believability of her torchy performances. On records such as “A Picture of Me Without You" and "I Guess You Had to Be There," the ache is palpable. She is feisty and sassy on "Watch Me," "What Part of No" "Five Minutes" and "I Didn't Know My Own Strength." She has kicked up her stiletto heels in fun on her hits "Except for Monday" and "Go Away." On her epic "Something in Red" she is an honest, struggling everywoman.
She has been a daughter, a bride, a mother, a divorcee, a widow, a single mother, a breadwinner and, ultimately, a survivor. In many ways, Lorrie is a living, breathing country song, and she knows what she sings.
Lorrie Morgan has been around great songs all her life. She is a Nashville native who is the daughter of Country Music Hall of Fame member George Morgan. She made her debut on the Grand Ole Opry stage at age 13, singing "Paper Roses." Her father died suddenly of a heart attack at age 51. She was l6 at the time and just beginning her musical career. Lorrie Morgan began making her own records shortly thereafter and was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry at just 24 years old.
On the outside, Lorrie is very lighthearted. Still, on the inside, she carries a lot of pain. Singing is her therapy, she has said. "My dad used to say, 'You should never take yourself too seriously,' and I got my sense of humor from my dad. I love to have fun. I've reached the age where I feel that I deserve good company around me, people who can make me laugh, who love music and who love to have a good time.”
Friday night activities for the 2026 Festival will be held on the Atchison Riverfront with the music entertainment, children’s activities and more! The Festival will continue on Saturday, July 18 with activities throughout the day culminating with the Aerobatic Show and “Concert in the Sky” Fireworks on the Riverfront.
--Watch for an upcoming announcement on the opener for Friday night!
--Friday Night Music on the Riverfront will be a ticketed event. Gates and concessions will open at 4 pm. The program will begin with the singing of the National Anthem at 7pm.
Tickets available here.
Advance tickets are $25 and will be $30 on July 18 at the gate. Advance tickets purchased through January will be mailed on February 1.
Food vendors and concessions are available on the grounds. NO COOLERS ALLOWED! NO BEVERAGES CAN BE CARRIED IN!)
Saturday night will remain free to the public with coolers allowed (no glass containers).
