Hank Jr. set to headline inaugural festival on June 24
ZANESVILLE — When Dusty Guitar Promotions formed in 2013, they aimed to bring high-end country music acts to Muskingum County.
They quickly accomplished that mission, welcoming the likes of Charlie Daniels and Travis Tritt — to name a couple — to historic Secrest Auditorium.
That pales to what is coming this summer.
The first American Made Country Music Fest will be held on June 24 at the Muskingum County Fairgrounds, where six-time platinum legend Hank Williams Jr. is among no less than eight acts who will perform in the one-day event presented by The Moyer Group.
The event will actually begin on June 22, where those purchasing camping passes can set up. Those camping will also be invited to a free Friday concert featuring an up-and-coming Nashville artist, which will be announced at later date.
Event organizer Sara Haren, of Dusty Guitars, said the festival is believed to be the first of its kind in Zanesville, with Williams Jr., five-time Country Music Entertainer of the Year, making his first appearance in Muskingum County in his more-than 50-year career.
Williams Jr. will be joined by Aaron Lewis and Sammy Kershaw, along with Dillon Carmichael, The Davisson Brothers, River Rats, Sugar Creek and Up 2 No Good. Others acts will be named at a later date. Williams Jr. will perform a week after his new album, “Rich White Honky Blues” will be released on June 17.
Tickets can be purchased beginning at 10 a.m. on Feb. 10 at Amcmfest.com or by visiting dustyguitars.com.
Three levels of ticketing options will be available, including the American Pride Gold Circle, which is an exclusive seating area in front of the stage where patrons can either stand or bring their own chairs. It will include private restrooms and bars.
Haren said they hope the three days take on a Jamboree In the Hills-type feel. Acts like Williams Jr., who routinely draws large crowds, and Lewis and Kershaw, each of whom have performed in Zanesville previously, will set a new standard.
Getting Williams Jr. was a matter of simply submitting an offer to his agent, Haren said. Having a strong reputation within the music industry, and the relationships they have built as a result, has helped bring notable acts to town.
“We wanted to come out guns blazing,” Haren said. “We want this to be an annual event for Muskingum County.”
The wheels were put in motion after Dusty Guitars reached out to the Muskingum County Fair Board and proposed the idea. When the board was receptible, Haren said, they began researching and reached out to potential acts. The board will receive a rental fee for hosting.
It figures to be a financial boon for the city, particularly for hotels, restaurants and grocery stores for campers wishing to stock up on festival necessities. There will also be multiple food vendors on sight, along with a variety of clothing vendors. Alcohol will be solid by the Zanesville Jaycees.
“We are expecting up to 7,000 people,” Haren said. “That’s quite a bit of people. Sixty-five to 70 percent of our ticket sales come from outside of the (Zanesville) zip code. Just the tax dollars alone, it will being in hundreds of thousands to the community ... Every business in town will probably see a benefit and influx.”
As with past concerts at the fairgrounds, the acts will play in the grandstand area. This time, however, there will be a side stage and large screens on the main stage so those in the grandstands will have a better view of the shows.
“I do believe we have a great lineup,” Haren said. “We’re working hard with sponsors and local vendors to make this a really good experience for everyone. There are different things people can do once they’re on the grounds, just really cool, immersive, memorable things.
“It’s more than just hearing artists play,” Haren added. “It’s new, Zanesville has never had anything like this and it’s definitely must-needed.”
sblackbu@gannett.com; Twitter: @Samblackburntr