countryfest

Dustin Lynch is a talented newcomer to the world of country music, and he is pure country. That's what I like about his music the most, it takes me back to the days of Garth Brooks and Waylon Jennings but has that cool current feel about that plays well for today's newer country listeners.

Even though Eric Church recently said he would be stepping away from the spotlight in the new year, he’ll still be on the radar. As a way to thank his loyal followers for hundreds of sold-out concerts, Church will be releasing his very first live album in the beginning of 2013.

This was a major thrill.  I've done little things here and there over the years, but there was so much of a time constraint in the past for local acts that it really was difficult.  That's what I loved about this year's Countryfest the most - it gave a lot of Capital Region artists  the chance to show their wares, and the Lost Cantina Band was nice enough to let me do the same.

CountryFest 2012 this past Saturday wasn't just about the great acts such as Eric Church, Joe Nichols, Thompson Square and Josh Thompson. It was also about YOU, the great GNA listeners! If you were outside at the free block party or inside the Times Union Center, we thank you and hope you enjoyed the party...

I don't think I've ever typed those words before, but this actually happened in my watch at Countryfest with this very nice listener who shall remain nameless at the risk of totally embarrassing her.  So I'll partially embarrass her instead

CountryFest 2012 is in the books and it was a rockin' party for sure. I loved getting to mingle with many of you at the free outdoor street party listening to some great local talent as well as newcomer Dustin Lynch. Indoors was rockin' as well as Josh Thompson, Thompson Square, Joe Nichols and of course Eric Church ripped the roof off the Times Union Center.

Country superstar Eric Church (@ericchurch) played Taste of Country tonight, and fans lined up before he took the stage just to get a picture with him. Check out the photos here!

Eric Church debuted his first project Sinners Like Me in 2006.  The first album brought him some modest charting singles like 'How 'Bout You' 'Two Pink Lines' and 'Guys Like Me.'  The first singles barely broke the Top 20, but helped him develop a dedicated growing fan base.

Whiskey City   The outdoor block party at Countryfest is truly a win-win.  You, the listener,  gets to hear local and up and coming national artists for free, and we at 'GNA get the chance to give more local musicians the chance to show their talents to YOU.  Here's a new addition for us-- WHISKEY CITY.

Once again we highlight another  one of the premier country bands of the area, and we've enjoyed a long relationship with this one-- the Back 40 Band.

If you know me you know that I do love a party, and I so love when we throw a big party and get a chance to really hang out with all our wonderful loyal listeners. So, it may not surprise you to learn that tomorrow morning at Countryfest, I will be starting the day bright and early with you and Mimosas!

I have SO many old shots from Countryfest - that's cuz I'm old.  But let my age be your gain as we go back in time a few years.  Enjoy.