Big names at Ohio Valley Music Festival

Clint Black Photo by Kevin Mazur
Marietta, Ohio’s first country music festival will be held on Aug. 20 in the Reno Business Park and will include national and regional country artists such as CMA award winner Clint Black, W.Va. favorite, The Davisson Brothers, Parkersburg native Taylor Sams, High Valley and John Michael Montgomery.
Bill Marx, producer of the Ohio Valley Music Festival, is highly involved in producing shows at the Adelphia Music Hall in downtown Marietta as well, and said that it’s time to do something much bigger.
“We produce amazing shows at the Adelphia, our chief sponsor,” said Marx. “Our capacity is limited by the structure, and the Adelphia wanted to do bigger events so creating a festival with a ton of space was the next logical step.”
The outdoor music festival will be dedicated to all U.S. veterans and those in their immediate communities by donating all alcohol sales to the Legion of American Veterans.
Along with well-known national acts, the festival will include local country singer Sams, who has played at “Jamboree in the Hills” and has also been a part of Florida Georgia Line’s tour at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, but said he has never done anything like this.
“I’m really looking forward to the atmosphere. I think there will definitely be more of an anticipation for seeing multiple artists, rather than just one,” said Sams. “I’m excited to gain more exposure to those who have never seen one of my highly energetic shows. Overall, I think we are lined up for a great evening.”
This year’s festival headliner will be country music legend, Clint Black. Black has sold more than 20 million albums worldwide and has racked up 57 charted singles such as “A Better Man” and “Killin Time.”
“Both Clint Black and John Micheal Montgomery are country legends. They both put on a tremendous show and we are excited to have them both,” said Marx.
General admission for the country music festival is $60, VIP tickets are $100 and children ages 12 and under are $10. Veterans will also receive a discounted ticket price if a valid military ID is presented. Parking passes are $10 in advance and $20 on the day of the festival. VIP tickets include prime concert seating and parking.
According to Marx, people can expect a well-organized festival with ample parking, tons of food and space for lawn chairs with more than six hours of great country music.
“This will be the premier event of the summer and we hope to make it an annual event,” said Marx.