HERRIN -- A new $30 "Everyday Pass" is part of the 2019 HerrinFesta Italiana entertainment package being announced today in a Facebook Live broadcast. This year's lineup will include performances from country artists Scotty McCreery and Jamey Johnson, rock bands Loverboy and Head East, and Christian artists Danny Gokey and Jason Crabb.
The Everyday Pass will allow a patron a general admission ticket to as many of the five nights of entertainment as they choose. Single night general admission prices have also been lowered to $8 to $15, depending on the night.
"We're really trying to offer a value option for people who might like to attend multiple nights of Festa concerts," said HerrinFesta President Cris Trapani. "We're also keeping prices as low as we can for individual concerts for those who don't want premium seating or pit access."
The concert schedule begins on Thursday, May 23 with Resurrection: A Journey Tribute at 8:30 p.m. The group faithfully recreates the experience of a 1980s Journey arena-rock concert. This dynamic and compelling band features some of Nashville's hottest musicians, many whom have performed, written, or recorded with the biggest names in the music industry -- including Journey and Steve Perry.
Seamstress opens for Resurrection at 7 p.m.
Outlaw country singer Jamey Johnson takes the HerrinFesta stage at 9:30 p.m. on Friday, May 24. The 11-time Grammy nominee has hits that include "The Dollar", "In Color" and "The High Cost of Living." He is one of only a few people in the history of country music to win two Song of the Year Awards from both the CMA and the ACM. His 2008 debut album,
That Lonesome Song, picked up five Grammy nominations. As a songwriter, the former Marine has penned tunes for George Strait, Willie Nelson, Trace Adkins. Joe Nichols, and others.
Southern Illinois' own Kendall Marvel will take the stage at 8 p.m., ahead of Johnson. Marvel has long been an award-winning Nashville songwriter. He has written for George Strait, Chris Stapleton, Jake Owen, and Johnson. But now the Thompsonville-Galatia area native has his own album, Lowdown and Lonesome. Marvel is a HerrinFesta veteran, having appeared on our songwriters' showcase several times in the past. A follow up album is due out later this year.
A 6:30 p.m. opening act will be announced later.
Scotty McCreery headlines the Saturday, May 25 show. The season 10 American Idol winner has a current country airplay hit, "This is It," which hit number one last month after 37 weeks on the chart. The song was a love song to sing to his fiancé at their wedding this past June. It's the second country airplay leader from his album, Seasons Change.
"Five More Minutes" led the charts last March. McCreery is the first country music artist to have his debut album, Clear As Day, enter at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 chart. Platinum singles from that 2011 album included "I Love You This Big" and "The Trouble with Girls." He won a New Artist of the Year award at both the Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards and the American Country Awards. McCreery's show begins at 9:30 p.m.
Riley Green takes the stage before McCreery at 8 p.m. Green's debut single, "There Was This Girl," is number eight on the Billboard Country Airplay Chart. The Alabama native recently dropped his newest single, "In Love by Now."
Green learned the spirit of songwriting and performing at a young age while spending time with his grandfather, Bufford Green, who ran Golden Saw Music Hall. Riley shared the stage with him and other men of his generation, laying a foundation for the songs he'd craft in the years to come, reflecting on the experiences of a young Southern man trying to find his place in the world.
Daniel E. Johnson opens the evening's entertainment at 6:30 p.m.
High-energy rock band, Loverboy, has been making music for almost 40 years. Hits include "Working for the Weekend," "Turn Me Loose," "Heaven in Your Eyes," "The Kid is Hot Tonight" and "Lovin' Every Minute of It." Loverboy takes the HerrinFesta stage at 9:30 p.m. Sunday, May 26.
One of Southern Illinois' favorite classic rock bands, Head East, takes the stage at 8 p.m., before Loverboy. Their signature song, "There's Never Been Any Reason (Save My Life)" has long-been considered by many radio stations across the country as "The Rock & Roll national anthem." T
he band says their first gig as Head East was at the Golden Gauntlet in Çarbondale in August, 1969. Many of the original band members were from Southern Illinois and the group played many dates around the area in the early '70s before gaining national attention with 1974's Flat as a Pancake album and its hit track, "Love Me Tonight."
The Great Affairs opens the night at 6:30 p.m.
Faith and Family Night returns for a second year at HerrinFesta on Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day). American Idol third-place finisher Danny Gokey will headline at 7:30 p.m. Gokey has had several chart-topping albums, including "My Best Days (2010)" and "Rise (2017)." The Dove Award winner and Grammy nominee's current single is "Haven't Seen it Yet."
Jason Crabb just won his second Grammy Award last month for the album, Unexpected. He opens Faith and Family Night at 6 p.m. Crabb also has 21 Dove Awards from the Gospel Music Association. He is a Male Vocalist of the Year and Song of the Year winner. Crabb's hometown is Beaver Dam, Kentucky, not far from Herrin.
Faith and Family Night is presented in cooperation with the Southern Illinois Worship Center.
HerrinFesta Italiana 2019 tickets went on sale March 6 at herrinfesta.com. Retail locations will be announced later. All stage times are subject to change due to weather.
HerrinFesta Italiana is a weeklong annual festival presented by the Herrin Chamber of Commerce. The Festa won the 2014 Governor's Award for Best Festival in Illinois.
Entertainment Lineup
Thursday, May 23: 7 p.m. -- Seamstress; 8:30 p.m. -- Resurrection: A Journey Tribute. General admission $10, seats $15, pit $15.
Friday, May 24: 6:30 p.m. -- TBA; 8 p.m. -- Kendall Marvel; 9:30 p.m. -- Jamey Johnson. General admission $15, seats $35, pit $35.
Saturday, May 25: 6:30 p.m. -- Daniel Johnson; 8 p.m. -- Riley Green; 9:30 p.m. Scotty McCreery. General admission $15, seats $35, pit $35.
Sunday, May 26: 6:30 p.m. -- The Great Affairs; 8 p.m. -- Head East; 9:30 p.m. -- Loverboy. General admission $15, seats $30, pit $35.
Monday, May 27: 6 p.m. -- Jason Crabb; 7:30 p.m. -- Danny Gokey. General admission $8, seats $10, pit $15.
All stage times are subject to change due to weather. Everyday Pass: $30. Accessible seating is available.
