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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe Austin
Tanya Gonzalez
231-722-6520
info@summercelebration.com
www.summercelebration.com
MUSKEGON, MI - May 13, 2008 - The Muskegon Summer Celebration, The BIG Party, presented by Esurance, announces the final acts for the Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge Main Stage for this year’s event, June 26 – July 6. In addition to previously announced Miller Lite Headline Artists, The Steve Miller Band, Joe Cocker, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Kansas, Jonny Lang, The Whispers, Sean Kingston, Miranda Lambert, REO Speedwagon, Blue Oyster Cult, Montgomery Gentry, Bucky Covington, Seether, Finger Eleven, Staind, Hinder, and Sammy Hagar, are James Otto, Julianne Hough, Switchfoot, and Sister Hazel. “We have a nice mix of classic rock, current country, and active rock, along with some R&B, Blues, and Hip Hop. This line up gives a lot of fans a great reason to buy the Sappi Eleven Day Pass,” said Chair Bryon Mazade. “We need to be sensitive to the economic conditions. Besides the great value of the Sappi 11-Day Pass and our Happy Hour pricing each evening for the first two hours, the drawing we are announcing today is yet another effort along those lines.”
Rising country star James Otto will be one of the support acts for Miranda Lambert on Monday, June 30. Described as a country singer and songwriter with a Southern rock heart, James Otto is from a military family. After completing high school, he completed a two year stint in the Navy himself before moving to Nashville in 1998. He spent a lot of time with a group of feisty musicians and songwriters (including Big & Rich and Gretchen Wilson) known as the MusikMafia. This group appeared on the CMT reality show MusikMafia TV. From this exposure, James landed a record deal with Mercury and released his first album, Days of Our Lives, in 2002. The record did not do well, and he was dropped, but later signed with Raybaw Records and released Sunset Man which was produced by his brother-in-law from Rascal Flatts, Jay DeMarcus. The first single from this album, “Just Got Started Lovin’ You,” just hit number one on the country charts. Opening the evening will be Dancing With the Stars winner and country music singer, Julianne Hough. Known mainly for her victories with dance partners Apolo Anton Ohno and Helio Catroneves in 2006 and 2007 respectively, Julianne released her first single, “Will You Dance With Me,” in March 2007 and followed it up earlier this year with “That Song in My Head” which is currently on the country music charts. She plans on releasing her first album later this year as well as touring with Brad Paisley this summer.
Switchfoot headlines on Saturday, July 5. Formed in 1996 in San Diego, Switchfoot is actually a surfing term. Their debut album, The Legend of Chin, dropped in 1997 and was followed by New Way to Be Human in 1999 with its title track winning a Dove Award for Song of the Year. Their next effort, Learning to Breathe, helped the band move more toward the mainstream rock arena. In 2003 their Columbia/RED debut, The Beautiful Letdown, went double platinum on the strength of singles, “Dare You to Move,” and “Meant to Live.” The album was number one on Billboard’s Christian Album chart and number sixteen on the Top 200. Two more albums have been released since producing hits, “Stars” and “Oh! Gravity.” Opening for Switchfoot will be acoustic pop act, Sister Hazel. Their first major album, Somewhere More Familiar, was released in 1997 and produced the mega-hit, “All For You.” They followed up with their 2000 effort, Fortress, which produced another smash single, “Change Your Mind.” Since then Sister Hazel has released two more albums, Lift and Absolutely, in 2004 and 2006 respectively.
Summer Celebration also announces the “Get to the Gate Giveaway” sponsored by ITC Holdings. Be one of the first 3000 patrons through the National City Main Gate and receive a ticket to win one of two $500 cash prizes given away each evening. Winning numbers will be announced prior to the Miller Lite Headline act taking the Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge Main Stage. “We’re very pleased ITC Holdings stepped up with the money to run this promotion. As the owner of Michigan’s power transmission lines, ITC Holdings wanted to send the message with Summer Celebration that they care about their neighbors!” said Pat Driscoll, Sponsorship Director. “So this will be like Summer Celebration’s version of a stimulus program.”
This Thursday, May 15, is the first ever Grand Rapids Sappi Pass Party from 5:00 – 9:00 PM at River City Slims at 243 Commerce SW in downtown Grand Rapids. Adult passes (ages 13 and up) will be sold for $95 and youth passes (ages 6-12) will be $45. Children ages 5 and under are admitted free. Besides the opportunity to purchase passes, there will be prize drawings, Miller Beer specials, the Miller Lite Girls, Emily with the FOX 17 Road Crew, and personalities from LAV 97, KLQ Pure Rock 107.3, and 105.3 Hot FM. The following night, Friday, May 16, Sappi 11-Day Passes will be available at the Muskegon Sappi Pass Party at the LC Walker Arena from 5:30 – 9:30 PM. Come out and enjoy DJs on the Run, children’s activities, your favorite food concessions and beverages, and personalities from Star 108, A Better Variety, Total Rock 101.7 WMRR, and 107MUS, The Moose. Pass prices on the 16th are $93 for adults (ages 13 & up) and $45 for youth (ages 6-12).
All new seating options and general admission tickets for the July 5 Switchfoot and Sister Hazel show will be available beginning Thursday, May 15, at 9:00 AM at all Star Tickets PLUS outlets which include most Michigan Meijer Stores and the Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are also available on-line at www.starticketsplus.com or by calling (616) 222-4000 (in Grand Rapids) or toll free at 1-800-585-3737. Tickets for the previously announced shows are available now. If you cannot make either Pass Party, Sappi 11-Day Passes will be available through Star Tickets Plus starting Friday, May 16, at 9:00 AM through the internet or by phone only. Starting Saturday, May 17 they are available by phone or internet or at Meijer locations. Adult passes will be $99 and youth passes, $49 plus convenience fees. For more ticketing information including upgraded seating options and a diagram of their locations, please visit www.summercelebration.com. Prices for the concerts announced to date and special seating options are listed on the following pages.
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