Press Release:

FRED EAGLESMITH WEEKEND JUNE 7-8-9 DRAWS NEAR -
BELLOWS FALLS BRACES FOR ONSLAUGHT OF "INSURGENT COUNTRY' MUSIC

"The question we get asked a lot is, 'where's the Chemco Building?'," says Charlie Hunter of Flying Under Radar Concerts. The Chemco Building's parking lot is the site of the Roots on the River Festival in Bellows Falls June 8, part of the third annual Fred Eaglesmith Weekend which takes place the entire weekend. "It's a logical question. The Chemco Building isn't normally one of the major tourist destinations in the area. Just think of the spot where the Saxtons River and the Connecticut meet. It's the big white building just beyond the railroad tracks. It's a very pretty spot, especially if you like rusty machinery mixed in with your folk music." "Roots on the River" (underwritten by Long Trail Brewing, Molson Brewing and Farrell Distributors) is a celebration of the singer/songwriter influence in contemporary folk/Americana music, and will start at noon on Saturday, June 8, and continue until 8:00 pm that evening. Free parking is provided at the nearby Compass School parking lot along with frequent complimentary shuttle service from downtown Bellows Falls. Besides Fred Eaglesmith and his band The Smokin' Losers, other performers include Mary McBride Band, Jon Dee Graham, Robbie Fulks, David Olney, Willie P Bennett, Washboard Hank and Josh Ritter.

Ticket sales for the event have been brisk, with total sales of just over 600 admissions so far. Last year's event drew 696, up from 350 the year before. "Our radio ads have just started," says Hunter, "and they push the Saturday event strongly. We will reach capacity on Friday and Sunday fairly easily; our hope is to grow the Saturday festival over the next few years to be one of the best roots-music events of the early summer." Organizers hope to move the festival to downtown in 2003. "It is very important to us to involve the downtown," says Richard Ewald of the Bellows Falls Downtown Development Alliance, who offered advice on the event. "Village Square Books and The Rock and Hammer Jewelers stepped forward and helped underwrite shuttle service between the downtown and the event site."

The shuttle bus, provided by the Compass School of Westminster, will run all day Saturday from the Bellows Falls Square to the site to the Compass Square parking lot - serving as the main parking lot for the event - back to the site. Shuttles will also be available to run to the b&bs and inns where visiting Fredheads will be staying. "We'll have signs and schedules posted around town for the shuttle stops," promises Ewald.

Roots on the River is bringing in some of the most respected names in "Americana" music to Bellows Falls on June 8. "These aren't big names," admits organizer Hunter. "That's not the point. Fred Eaglesmith himself isn't a big name. The important thing is that this is great music. We're looking for an audience that appreciates that, and we're finding them. Robbie Fulks is one of the stars of "insurgent country" music; Jon Dee Graham is an absolute legend in Texas; Mary Gauthier is packing them in in Europe. You're not going to hear a one of them on your "hot country' radio station, but that's radio's problem, not a problem with the music. This is music that refuses to be bought and sold."

Gates for Roots on the River open at 11:30, with music starting at noon. The concert will be held indoors in case of inclement weather. Hot dogs, hamburgers and barbeque will be available from Lisai's (proceeds to benefit the Fireworks Fund), and beverage service will be provided by PK's. Seating provided, no coolers. All ages are welcome and the site is handicapped accessible.

Full Weekend passes are $60. Fred Eaglesmith shows Friday June 7 (at Rick's Bar and Grille, ages 21 and over only) and Sunday June 9 (all-acoustic, at the Rockingham Meeting House, all ages) are $19.50 advance. "Roots on the River" festival Saturday June 8 is $25. Tickets are available at Morning Star Cafe (Springfield), Village Square Books (Bellows Falls), Toadstool Books (Keene, NH), Heartstone Books (Putney), Meridian Music (Brattleboro) and Northampton Box Office. To charge by phone, call 1-800-THE-TICK. Children 12 and under are half-price at the door only. For more information, contact Flying Under Radar at 802-463-3669 or visit www.flyingunderradar.com

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