Set your links. This is where we’ll continuously update the Riverfest line-up as it’s gradually announced.
Friday, Clinton Center stage
Who cares? Mainstream country fans who like it a little gritty. And lots of them if you consider the numbers: Three platinum albums, three number one hits and seven top 10 singles.
Peak of fame? Even though he’s been around for years and had chart success, in terms of touring, now might be his peak. Or at least the beginning of the ascent.
Saturday, Triple-S Stage
Who cares? Everyone who felt gypped by last year’s Bell Biv Devoe-less New Edition reunion.
Peak of fame? The early 1990s. That’s when they helped pioneer New Jack Swing. Maybe you remember a song called “Poison”? “Do Me!” is also the jam in an unsubtle kind of way.
Saturday, Clinton Center stage
Who cares? Rock ‘n’ rollers. Especially those who like their rawk, weed-tinged, Southern-fried and thoroughly jam-y. Surely a crowd that outnumbers all others at the festival.
Peak of fame? Probably the 90s, when “Shake Your Money Maker” debuted and “The Southern Harmony…” topped the charts.
Sunday, Triple-S Stage
Who cares? Soul-blues fans.
Peak of fame? Probably in the late- to mid-’80s when he played alongside of the likes of Eric Clapton and John Lee Hooker and won a handful of WC Handy and Grammy awards.
Friday, Clinton Center Stage, before Gary Allan
Who cares? Folks who like a little edge to their commercial country. Fans of Red Dirt country. College kids.
Peak of fame? In 2004, the band’s second major label release, “Soul Gravy” hit number 5 on the country charts. The three albums that’ve followed charted, too, but never that high.
Juke Joint Duo: Cedric Burnside and Lightnin’ Malcolm
Sunday, opening for Robert Cray on the Triple-S Stage.
Who cares? Blues fans who like it raw, know North Miss. does it best, worship at the temple of Junior Kimbrough, etc. Me!
Peak of fame? Sometime in the future, hopefully.
Friday, Triple-S Stage
Who cares? Australian immigrants. Fans of smooth pop, yacht rock. The tens of people who were bummed they didn’t get to play last year.
Peak of fame? 1978-1981. The band had six consecutive top ten singles in the U.S. during that time, including their biggest hit “Reminiscing.”
Saturday, opening for The Black Crowes on the Clinton Stage
Who cares? Increasingly, a lot of folks. Especially fans of literate rock ‘n’ roll who can abide by a man whose voice is full of gravel singing.
Peak of fame? Now. “1372 Overton Park,” the band’s major label debut, came out last fall. The future if it continues on what seems like an ever -ascending trajectory.
Sunday, Riverfest Amphitheater
Who cares? Fans of booming voiced Southern rappers everywhere.
Peak of fame? The first half of last decade probably. Still, even today, it’s hard to spend much time in any club without hearing one of his songs.
Saturday, Riverfest Amphitheater
Who cares? Contemporary country folk. Fans of any song called “Hillbilly Bone.”
Peak of fame? Now, probably. He’s released 16 consecutive top 40 country singles.
Sunday, Clinton Center Stage
Who cares? Anyone who cares about Maurice, the Space Cowboy, the Gangster of Love or (especially) the Pompatus of Love.
Peak of fame? 1976-1977. That’s when “Fly Like an Eagle” and “Book of Dreams” came out, yielding big singles like “Rock’n Me,” “Take the Money and Run” and “Jet Airliner.”
Saturday, Clinton Center Stage (opening for Lucero)
Who cares? Fans of white rappers who become country pop stars. Probably a lot of people who own boats. I don’t know.
Peak of fame? The early part of last decade, when he was still rapping a little. His wheelhouse is Jack Johnson-style crooning. “Follow Me,” “Drift Away,” “Smile.”