AMELIA EARHART FESTIVAL July 18-19, 2014 Atchison, Kansas

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jacque Pregont Festival Coordinator 913-367-2427 800-234-1854 [email protected]

CHART-TOPPER TO HEADLINE ONE OF THE PREMIERE EVENTS OF THE SUMMER Moore and Breakout Artists and “The Voice” Winner Set to Perform at LakeFest 2014 on July 18

ATCHISON, Kan. (Nov. 21, 2013) — “It's a dirt road, a fishin' pole, a cold beer sittin’ on a tailgate. It's an old church, a kind word, it's where I was born and raised. Heaven ain't that far away." The lyrics from Justin Moore’s self-penned song, "Heaven Ain't That Far Away" typify his philosophy on life. In music and in life, Justin embodies the soul and character of a kid from a small town. It’s just that genuine small-town appreciation that led to Moore being invited to headline Atchison’s 2014 LakeFest Concert.

“We are very excited to secure Justin Moore as our headliner for 2014,” said Jacque Pregont, Amelia Earhart Festival Coordinator. “He has made quite a name for himself already on the country music scene and is definitely on every country music fan’s list.”

Born and raised in Poyen, Arkansas, a town with a population of 272 and no streetlights or street names, Moore experience his first deer stand before he was one year old. He hasn’t missed a season since. His grandfather "Paw" Charles gave each one of his children 15 acres of land to build their homes on and raise their families in - and that's exactly what they all did. Paw and grandma Faynette (Maw) raised cattle on their farm and from a young age Justin would help with the chores. He'd bush- hog the land and feed the cows and learn about hard work. Justin Moore’s always had a thing about doing it his way. Call it stubborn redneck mettle, a well- developed case of “who I am” or just the fierce commitment to blaze a trail inherent to people from his home of Poyen, Arkansas. It doesn’t matter why, just that the blazing sense of off the beaten path drives his of the same name. Again teaming with fellow writer/producer , the pair turn up the guitars, lean into the swagger and refine the powerful good ole boy perspective that allows for all the bravado. There’s a strong vein of tenderness and decency holding Moore’s kind of country together. Look no further than Rhett Atkins//-written “,” the lead single, that acknowledges every wild hair Moore has, but hits the bottom line of his goodness via the woman who became his bride.

Moore has always had an interesting way of negotiating the good ole boy/redneck reality that’s defined today’s hardcore country fan. A little bit rowdy, a little bit sentimental, a whole lotta roughneck, Moore has dented the country radio charts with three #1s in the anything but big city “Small Town USA,” the sentimental family embracing “If Heaven Weren’t So Far Away” and the fidelity pledge “,” in addition to the Top 10 mission declaration “Backwoods.” Off the Beaten Path, released on September 13, 2013, is the third studio album by Justin Moore and includes duets with Miranda Lambert and Charlie Daniels.

LakeFest organizers not only take into consideration recognizability, but also routing and, of course, pricing come into play when determining artists for the annual event which draws thousands every summer and takes place during the critically-acclaimed Amelia Earhart Festival Weekend in July. From last year’s superstar performance by country music veteran Gary Allan, to Rascal Flatts, Brad Paisley, Miranda Lambert and , LakeFest promoters have a proven history of hooking great artists - whether established or on their way to stardom.

Speaking of on their way to stardom, singer- Thomas Rhett will also be gracing the LakeFest 2014 stage. Rhett spent most of his teen years figuring out what, other than music, he could do for a career. Kinesiology, business, anatomy, media – anything but music. None of those rather ordinary pursuits seemed to work out. But a songwriting deal? Thomas Rhett stumbled into that. And nine months later, he had a song on ’s My Kinda Party, a double-platinum project that became the best-selling country album of 2011.

Thomas Rhett auditioned for at least seven record companies, and every one of them wanted to sign him. Valory – the home of Reba McEntire, , Jewel and Justin Moore – won out, and now it’s seemingly just a matter of time before the general public discovers the quirky word jumbles and infectious grooves that had Music Row salivating over Thomas Rhett’s future. The one that, in retrospect, seems as if it were always supposed to happen.

In February 2010, Thomas Rhett signed with EMI and soon had his first co-writing session with his dad, , who earned a trio of Top 20 hits in the mid-1990s, and Bobby Pinson, who’s written songs for Toby Keith and Sugarland. In short order, he was writing with the likes of Craig Wiseman (“Live Like You Were Dying”), Luke Laird (“Undo It”), Lee Thomas Miller (“You’re Gonna Miss This”) and Chris Stapleton (“Love’s Gonna Make It Alright”).

Things happened quickly. Aldean cut Thomas Rhett’s “I Ain’t Ready To Quit” for My Kinda Party, which was released in November 2010 – just eight months after Thomas Rhett signed his publishing deal. Even then, Vaughn was already taking Thomas Rhett around Music Row to play acoustic auditions as an artist in record-company conference rooms. And they always got some interest.

Even Thomas Rhett doesn’t completely understand it. “I don’t have a clue where it’s going to go or where it’ll end up, but the journey is cool enough for me,” he muses. “I’m here for the ride and to entertain people… I think I’ve been directed here for a reason,” he surmises. “I still don’t know why. I don’t know if it’s to be some big star or if it’s to make a difference in somebody’s life along the way or to make somebody’s Friday night entertaining. It doesn’t really matter. It’s a journey, and I’m learning something new every step along the way.”

Although young, seventeen-year-old Danielle Bradbery has also had quite the journey in the past year alone. Danielle charmed her way into the national spotlight with a mix of Country hits from several decades during Season 4 of The Voice in 2013. The reigning star of the NBC hit show has become the youngest winner ever and her coach, Blake Shelton, called her, "the most important artist to ever walk across The Voice stage.”

The Texas native earned high praise for her performances of classics like “Maybe It Was Memphis” (), “Born To Fly” () and “Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout the Good Old Days )” (The Judds) as well as her duet with Shelton of Patty Loveless’ hit “Timber, I’m Falling In Love.” Danielle’s covers of these top Country songs landed her on the top of the iTunes Country Chart multiple times throughout the season, making her the highest selling artist and youngest in the show's history.

Her self-titled debut studio album, Danielle Bradbery, is slated for release on November 25, 2013, and will feature her first single and top 20 country hit “Heart of Dixie”.

“We hope country music fans are as excited as we are about this year’s artists,” said Jacque Pregont. “The Voice fans should be excited to see Danielle Bradbery … she wowed everyone on the show. Thomas Rhett is a rising star and a great entertainer, and again, we are very fortunate to secure Justin Moore and excited to be able to welcome him to Atchison. We try hard to present high quality, Nashvile entertainment at a fantastic price for our audience. I think we’ll be doing that in fine fashion again in 2014.”

LakeFest is the kick-off event for the annual Amelia Earhart Festival in Atchison. The festival celebrates the life and spirit of the famous aviatrix, who grew up in Atchison before embarking on her flying career, which carried her to worldwide fame. The festival includes a downtown fair, education and research events, children’s events, a Riverfront food festival, the Pioneering Achievement Award presentation, and concludes with the famous fireworks show on the banks of the Missouri River considered to be the best in the Midwest. The event draws tens of thousands of visitors each July.

LakeFest 2014 tickets go on sale May 1, 2014. Tickets are $25 and are available online at www.atchisonkansas.net; at the Santa Fe Depot, 200 S. 10th St. in Atchison; at Atchison bank locations; at Bank of Atchison Lancaster branch; and at Exchange National Bank and Trust locations in Leavenworth, Lansing and Easton, KS. A full list of ticket outlets is also available online.

LakeFest 2014 Gift Certificates are on sale now and are a perfect Christmas, holiday, birthday or graduation gift. The $25 certificate can be redeemed for an official ticket beginning May 1. Tickets are $30 the day of the concert, July 18, 2014.

The concert is held in the natural amphitheatre on the beautiful shores of Warnock Lake in Atchison, Kansas. Gates open at 4 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. with the national anthem and opening act, Danielle Bradbery, followed by Thomas Rhett, and then headliner Justin Moore. Food and drink vendors are available inside, along with inflatable fun for children. Children aged 10 and under are admitted free of charge. Bring your own seating.

For more information, visit www.atchisonkansas.net or call 800-234-1854.

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For more information about the Amelia Earhart Festival, please call Jacque Pregont at 913-367-2427 or 800-234-1854, or e-mail Jacque at [email protected].