CULLMAN, Ala. – The Alabama heat was intense as thousands of attendees gathered at York Farms in Cullman County this past weekend for Rock the South. Concertgoers donned their finest denim cut-offs and cropped tops to boot-scoot and boogie to the voices and talents of some of country’s biggest stars: Zach Bryan, Riley Green and Chris Stapleton.
The weekend started off tame Thursday, July 20, with a palpable excitement that buzzed across the parking pastures and campgrounds. At 5 p.m., the gates were moved, and concertgoers hit the ground running to secure their spots. An evening of sound, color and gritty outlaw tunes were brought forth in a sensory experience that even the most refined country palate could enjoy.
Said skeptical Rock the South first-timer and Lawrence County local Blaine Turner, “I found myself dancing and singing along with the crowd. I felt a genuine sense of connection with these other music lovers!”
Friday, July 21, brought rain delays; car and RV campers made their own fun with mudslides and mud fights, but with an increasingly agitated general admission crowd chanting “Let us in!” over and over at the front gates, a swift call was made to move the barriers after a crew of execs deliberated on rain safety. Cowboy boots pounded the mud – some for the first time – to stake their claim at the rail to hear the new country sound of Riley Green.
The culmination of the festival that hundreds drove over 1,000 miles for came on Saturday, July 22, with attendees decked out in red, white and blue to hear Chris Stapleton belt out his signature brand of soulful and bluesy country. The weather was just fine, with cooler temps and lower humidity than the previous two days.
The Rock the South team doled out checks totaling nearly $70,000 to a dozen local nonprofits and charities on the main stage, sharing, “We started Rock the South to bring our community together after a devastating tornado, and we never stopped caring about this community we love.”
Casting a shadow over Saturday night was the assault of attendee Reid Watts, 18. A video surfaced online of several individuals attacking an unconscious Watts. The Rock the South team took swift action upon learning of the incident, offering a $10,000 reward and lifetime tickets to any individual who could bring forth information resulting in the arrest of those responsible. The Rock the South fam mobilized quickly, with thousands scanning the footage, checking photos and reaching out to possible witnesses to gather information.
Thanks to the widespread attention, the Cullman Police Department was received the necessary identifying information, and as of print time reported, “Investigators are working on the case and charges will be filed soon.”
Cullman Police Chief David Nassetta said that in all, there were seven arrests Thursday, eight on Friday and 10 on Saturday.
See photos from Rock the South 2023 on The Tribune’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CullmanTribune.
Copyright 2023 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
