Media inquiries: Please contact Dave Neudeck, dave.neudeck@dcr.virginia.gov, 804-786-5053.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: June 16, 2008
Contact:
Grayson Highlands State Park to host music festival June 21
(RICHMOND)- George Hamilton IV headlines the 14th annual Wayne C. Henderson Music Festival and Guitar Competition, Saturday, June 21, at Grayson Highlands State Park.
Hamilton, proclaimed the International Ambassador of Country Music after his performances around the world during the 1970s, began his career in the late 50s not as a country artist but as a teen-oriented pop star. After his first hit, A Rose and a Baby Ruth, hit number six on the pop charts in 1956, he toured with Buddy Holly and the Everly Brothers but cracked the pop Top 10 only one more time. Instead, Hamilton moved to the country charts in 1959, where nine of his hits spent time in the Top 10, including his only number one, Abilene.
Festival hours are 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. with childrens activities from noon to 6 p.m. Admission is $10 per person. Children under 12 with an adult are admitted free. Visitors should bring lawn chairs.
The day also includes the Kruger Brothers, Robin Kessinger, Kinney Rorrer,
the Harris Brothers, No Speed Limit, and Wayne Henderson and Friends.
The guitar competition begins at 10:30, and performers begin
at 11:30. In addition to live music, visitors can enjoy the parks campground,
visitor center and trails. The day is sponsored by the Virginia Department
of Conservation and Recreation and the Wayne C. Henderson Music Festival
and Guitar Competition Committee.
Grayson Highlands State Park is in Grayson County on U.S. 58 between Independence and Damascus. To reach the park, take I-81 to Marion, follow Route 16 to Volney and then go west on U.S. 58 for eight miles.
For more information about the festival, call (276) 579-7092 or visit www.waynehenderson.org . For camping reservations call the Reservation Center at 1-800-933-PARK or visit www.virginiastateparks.gov .
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