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Live rock, pop, country music backdrop for Boomsday XVIII
Leslie Tucker - Thu, Sep, 1, 2005
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| Local band Todd Steed and the Sons of Phere get the music started at Boomsday XVIII |
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Labor Day might as well be officially renamed Boomsday in Knox County.
The 18th annual event — being held not on the actual holiday but the day before, Sunday, Sept. 4 — has become a tradition here and once again promises to be a day filled with family fun, live music and, of course, fireworks. It will attract a whopping 300,000 people, estimates Knoxville Tourism and Sports Corporation.
Boomsday XVIII has been called “the nation’s largest Labor Day fireworks display.” The big 30-minute show choreographed to music blasts off at 9:30 p.m. The show and the day’s festivities take place along downtown Knoxville’s waterfront at Neyland Drive.
The fun starts at 3 p.m. featuring live music, “Goody’s Family Fun Zone,” exhibitor tents and vendors.
Starting the music off at 3 p.m. is Knoxville native Todd Steed, who has settled back in his hometown after working and playing music throughout Europe and Asia in the ’90s. He spent years touring and recording with Smokin’ Dave and Apelife. His current lineup, Todd Steed and the Suns of Phere, was named after downtown Knoxville’s Sunsphere. The group’s latest record, “Heartbreak and Duct Tape,” which was released in July 2005, includes the “best of” from his live shows, including “Freebird 2.”
“If there is [an album] theme, it’s probably about life and change in the South. This is where I live so this is what I write about,” Steed said.
It features such guests as Jeff Bills, RB Morris, Scott Miller, Kat Brock and Mic Harrison.
Greylan James Egan, 9, will perform a 10-minute set at 3:50 p.m. Egan was recently honored with the 2005 Horizon Award during the National Association of Country Music International Competition. Egan was one of more than 500 country, gospel and bluegrass contestants who made it to the finals and advanced to the international competition.
Country singer Emmalee, who hails from Toronto, will perform at 4 p.m.
Michael Shapiro hits the stage at 5:45 p.m. Shapiro characterizes his music as rock blues and his performances as raucous and spontaneous, like an impromptu jam session. Shapiro started playing guitar at age 13, and at 16, had the chance to perform with Bruce Springsteen.
He also is influenced by Jimi Hendrix, Journey and Carlos Santana. Shapiro recorded his first solo CD, “Somehow Someway” two years after his former band, Trip, opened for Great White the night of the Rhode Island nightclub fire that killed 96 concert goers.
Born and raised in Memphis, Shelley Ruffin has been dubbed a southern girl steeped in delta soul. She is the granddaughter of a 1930s-era big band leader and songwriter who regularly opened for Guy Lombardo. This country rocker said she has been influenced by southern gospel, R&B, rock and country and considers Patsy Cline her heroine. Ruffin performs at 6:45 p.m.
Taking the stage at 7:45 p.m. is Katelyn Tarver, from Glennville, Ga. Tarver first gained national attention as a finalist in FOX TV’s “American Junior Idols.” She received critical praise from judges Deborah Gibson and Gladys Knight.
Tarver was signed by TC Music last summer and has been busy recording, performing and acting. Her album, “Wonderful Crazy,” speaks to teen issues in songs such as: “Something In Me,” “I’ll Make It Real,” “Undeniable” and “Rain.”
Performing at 8:45 p.m., is singer and songwriter J-Henry, whose latest release, “Another Long Day” is also reminiscent of his roots. J-Henry grew up in a working-class family of five boys in Central New Jersey, listening to Springsteen, John Mellencamp and Bob Seger, and fine-tuning his own version of “heartland rock.”
His live show features an 8-piece classic rock band of players whose members have toured with the likes of Meatloaf, Mellencamp and the Rolling Stones.
Concerts will be performed on a stage set up on Neyland Drive, near Calhoun’s. Admission is free. Admission into “Goody’s Family Fun Zone” is $5. A portion of those proceeds will be donated to the East Tennessee Children’s Hospital.
Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Coolers, backpacks, pets, skateboards, bicycles, skates, tents and umbrellas are not permitted.
For information on parking, boating, road closures and more, call 865-342-9191, or visit www.knoxville.org/events/BoomsdayXVIII.
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