CULLMAN – Country music legend John Michael Montgomery, along with country sensation Kelsea Ballerini, will join the largest lineup ever at Rock the south including Florida-Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett and Cole Swindell.
Rock the South Founder Shane Quick said, “Legends will always have a huge presence at Rock the South. Alan Jackson, Travis Tritt, Skynyrd, and Gregg Allman have all graced the Rock the South stage. We are so honored to have John Michael Montgomery join that long list here at Rock the South. Kelsea Ballerini has exploded onto the country music scene and her record is amazing. Can’t wait to have her in Culllman!”
Rock the South continues to be less than half the price of any other country music festival in the Southeast. For 24 hours starting Feb. 4 at 10 a.m., fans can buy tickets at last year’s prices. At 10 a.m. on Feb. 5, Early Bird Pricing will begin and last until March 31.
All information will be available at http://rockthesouth.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/rockthesouth.
About John Michael Montgomery
John Michael Montgomery has turned an uncanny ability to relate to fans into one of country music's most storied careers. Behind the string of hit records, the roomful of awards and the critical and fan accolades that have defined his phenomenal success lies a connection that goes beyond his undeniable talent and his proven knack for picking hits. Since the days when "Life's A Dance" turned him from an unknown artist into a national star, Montgomery’s rich baritone has carried that most important of assets–believability. Few artists in any genre sing with more heart than this handsome Kentucky-born artist.
It is readily apparent in love songs that have helped set the standard for a generation. Songs like “I Swear,” “I Love the Way You Love Me” and “I Can Love You Like That” still resonate across the landscape.
Now, with the release of “Time Flies,” which he co-produced with Byron Gallimore, Montgomery takes another big step forward, strengthening his position as one of the most versatile and compelling vocalists on the country scene. With songs like "Forever" and "If You Ever Went Away," he proves he is still the master of the power ballad, a man capable of bringing honest emotion to life in song. He brings his ever-present sense of humor to bear on "With My Shirt On" and "Mad Cowboy Disease," songs with wickedly skewed sensibilities. With songs like "Drunkard's Prayer" and "All in a Day" he explores two dramatic facets of human existence, and with "Brothers til the End," Montgomery celebrates the family background that led both him and his brother Eddie, of Montgomery Gentry, from a small-time family band to the top of the charts.
The emotional centerpiece for Montgomery is "All in a Day," the song that contains the lyric that gave the album its name.
“That song talks about how time flies,” he said, “and I got to thinking that it seems like yesterday that 'Life's A Dance' was out and people were asking me, 'Where would you like to be in 10 or 15 years?' 'Still here!' was my answer, and, thankfully, I am still here. Longevity was more important to me than anything else, and to still be able to do something I love so much is wonderful. Still, it's gone by so quickly that I thought, 'I'm going to build an album around that.' That's where the shape of this album comes from.”
Asked what he thinks gave him the edge in a career that calls millions but gives stardom to just a few, he pauses, then thinks back to the legacy of his parents.
"I reckon it was good genes and good blood," he says with a smile. Few who know the depth and breadth of his own growing legacy would disagree.
About Kelsea Ballerini
Kelsea Ballerini's breakout hit, "Love Me Like You Mean It," is just a taste of the country-pop sound in her imaginative catalog. The Knoxville, Tennessee native has dedicated the better part of the last decade to creating inspiring music, based on her life, to motivate others to live without fear of their emotions. Due May 18, her full-length debut, “The First Time,” has Ballerini's credit behind every song.
Newly crowned one of CMT’s “Next Women of Country,” Ballerini was featured on several “ones to watch” lists for 2015. Recently, she made her Grand Ole Opry debut and is currently co-headlining CMT’s inaugural “Next Women of Country” Tour.
“Dreams do come true. I’m seeing it first-hand. While I want to do it all, the arena tours and award shows, most of all, I just want to put out good music that matters.”
“The First Time” is Ballerini’s first big opportunity to do that. “When I signed the record deal, in my heart I thought, ‘What do you want to say to the world? Because now, there are people who are going to help you say it.’”
