FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2008

Homegrown music coming to the new Got to Be NC Festival

RALEIGH – Bands from across North Carolina will bring a variety of music to the Got to Be NC Festival at the N.C. State Fairgrounds June 5-8. Country rock, beach and bluegrass will ring out from two outdoor stages over the four days of the festival. Kerr Drug will be sponsoring the concert series.

Visit Heritage Circle for bluegrass music from Raleigh-based Sweet Potato Pie, an all-female ensemble that likes to bend the traditional rules and mix other styles into their repertoire. Sweet Potato Pie will perform multiple shows daily.

Ten North Carolina bluegrass bands will compete Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. on the Heritage stage for bragging rights, cash prizes, studio time and the right to open for the Sunday night bluegrass concert. All concerts in Heritage Circle are free.

Three major evening concerts will be held in the Sam Rand Grandstand. Tickets are only $5 for each of the shows, which begin at 8 p.m. Concert-goers with a Kerr Drug Premier Value Card will be admitted for free. Tickets will be available at 7 p.m. at the grandstand entrance, and all seating is general admission. All seats are under a roof.

Super Grit Cowboy Band from Greenville will rock the house on Thursday, June 5.

Soul and beach music from the Charlotte-based Coastline Band will lift spirits on Saturday, June 7.

Bluegrass courtesy of IBMA award-winning Steep Canyon Rangers from Asheville will fill the grandstand on Sunday.

“This is a great way to showcase even more of the talent raised in North Carolina,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “We’re bringing a great mix of music, and I’m truly excited about the bluegrass competition.”

The festival will include North Carolina foods, antique and new farm equipment, the state barbecue championship, a lineman’s rodeo, a full carnival and fireworks. Festival admission is free. Information is available at www.ncagfest.com.