Rock the South

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Rock the South is an annual country music festival held since 2012 on a 140-acre site at York Family Farms, just west of I-65 near Exit 305 between Good Hope and Cullman. It is promoted by Shane Quick of Premier Productions with Nathan Baugh of 46 Entertainment in Nashville, Tennessee. The organizers have estimated the event provides a $12 million economic impact to the immediate area.

The first event, called Youthquake, featured Christian artists and was held as a one-off benefit to raise funds for recovery from the April 2011 tornado outbreak. It attracted around 10,000 attendees.

Since Quick decided to continue with an annual Country music festival, he has continued to make honoring first responders and other community volunteers central the the event's theme. Some proceeds have been donated to the Cullman Parks, Recreation, & Sports Tourism, The Link of Cullman County, and Cullman Caring for Kids.

Festivals

2012

The "Youthquake" Christian music concert, held as a charity benefit following the April 2012 tornadoes, raised $20,000 for the Cullman Red Cross Chapter.

2013

On the anniversary of the Youthquake in April, Quick organized the first "Rock the South" concert featuring Dierks Bentley and Kellie Pickler. Attendance was around 15,000.

2014

The 2014 Rock the South festival expanded to two days, and was moved to the summer.

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

The 2020 Rock the South festival was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021

Around 30,000 attended the 2021 Rock the South festival on August 1314. A summer surge in COVID cases posed a threat to festival-goers, but few public health precautions were taken. Attendees were urged to manage their own risks. Hand sanitizing stations were set up and disposable masks were provided on request. Basic advance weekend passes sold for $130 with another $50 parking pass ($650 for RVs). VIP packages ranged up to $600, with car parking included.

Performers included Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Nelly, Ashley McBryde, Jordan Davis, Ingrid Andress, Flatland Cavalry, Trey Lewis, Drew Parker, Morgan Wade, Alex Hall, Josh Kiser, Lane Hardy, Dee Jay Silver, Bailey Zimmerman, and Meghan Patrick. Lynyrd Skynyrd had been scheduled to appear, but pulled out when guitarist Rickey Medlocke contracted COVID. The Marshall Tucker Band filled their slot.

The weather for the event was hot and humid, with several rain delays and muddy conditions.

2023

Quick reported that 35,000 people attended each day of the 3-day festival which ran from July 20 to July 22.

Performers included Chris Stapleton, Zach Byran, Cody Johnson, Riley Green, Bailey Zimmerman, Travis Tritt, Jo Dee Messina, Chase Matthew, Drake Milligan, Mackenzie Carpenter, Madeline Edwards, J. R. Carroll, Ella Langley, and Tristan Baugh.

An 18-year-old male was assaulted and beaten by three 20-year-old males at the festival on Sunday. They were arrested a few days later and each charged with felony assault in the 2nd degree.

Charities that shared in the $70,000 distributed from the event included Les Dames Cullman, Restoring Women Outreach, The Link of Cullman County, Brooks' Place Child Advocacy Center, Good Samaritan Clinic, Bethsadia Volunteer Fire Department, Cullman County Imagination Library, Curt's Closet, Cullman Caring for Kids, Sisters United, Cullman Agriplex and the Cullman Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2214.

References

  • Flanagan, Ben (August 12, 2021) "With Alabama COVID cases on the rise, Rock the South ‘wildly precautious’ in protecting fans." The Birmingham News
  • Wake, Matt (August 15, 2021) "Rock the South: Fans brave rain, mud, COVID at Alabama music festival." The Birmingham News
  • Flanagan, Ben (July 23, 2023) "Rock the South 2023: Record-breaking crowds love America, beer, country music." AL.com
  • Thornton, William (July 26, 2023) "3 arrests made in Rock the South assault caught on video." AL.com

External links