2008 Guest Artists Lori McKenna _ Saturday An acclaimed singer-songwriter who was thrust into the limelight last year when superstar Faith Hill included three of McKenna's songs on her Number One album Fireflies, including Hill's poignant single "Stealing Kisses." Hill (herself a wife and mother of three) heard in McKenna's work what a steadily growing audience has been hearing since her 1998 debut, Paper Wings & Halo: an intimate understanding and honest expression of the realities of domestic life. McKenna's latest album, "Unglamorous" was co-written with Nashville songwriter Liz Rose. _________________________________________ Songwriters in the Round Friday night _ (Reserved Seating required) The hosts of the festival, Jimmy Fortune and Robin and Linda Williams, ask a special guest each year to be on the show.  Jimmy's guest this year is Karen Staley performing Friday Born in Weirton,WV and raised in Western, PA this award winning songwriter has had #1 hits by Faith Hill, Tracy Byrd, IIIrd Tyme Out and Michael Martin Murphy. She has also had top hits by stars like Terri Clark, Trick Pony, Dolly Parton, and Reba. Songs such as Take Me As I Am , Let's Go To Vegas, Every Time I Cry, On A Night Like This, and many more. Karen won the ACM Song of The Year award with Tracy Byrd's classic Keeper of the Stars which was recently featured on CMT's 100 Greatest Country Love Songs of All Time TV special. Her songs have been nominated for both Dove and Grammy Awards. As a backup singer and rhythm guitarist, Karen has toured with Faith Hill, Reba, Patty Loveless and Russ Taff. Robin and Linda's guest is Tim O'Brien _ performing Friday and Saturday Though he first won renown as a member of one of bluegrass's premiere bands, Hot Rize, O'Brien's been doing solo performances for a long time. "The folksinger with a guitar is a sort of an unassailable icon," says Tim. "Dylan, Woody Guthrie -- Doc Watson..." 3.26.08 _Tim writes: "The new CD is completely solo; no other musicians and no studio overdubbing, and I made good use of my instrument collection to play the 16 new original songs. For the tour, Im limiting myself to bouzouki, guitar, banjo, and fiddle. "

September 26, 27, 28 Festival Hosts: Jimmy Fortune and Robin & Linda Williams performing Friday, Saturday & Sunday Staunton, VA Directions TICKETS: on sale July 21, 2008 at 10 AM at the Frontier Museum ___ 540-332-7850 Subscribers to Jimmy Fortune's & Robin and Linda's newsletters will be able to purchase tickets, using a special code, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m starting on July 14 through July 18. That's 1 week in advance just for being a fan! Reserved Seating (under the Cochran Pavilion) $35.00 Friday night - reserved only $45.00 Saturday _____ $45.00 Sunday Festival Seating $35.00 Saturday _____ $35.00 Sunday   Purchase a Combo Ticket (save $10.00) 2 Day Pass with Reserved Seating - $80.00 2 Day Festival Pass - $60.00 FESTIVAL SCHEDULE FRONTIER CULTURE MUSEUM Cochran Pavilion GUITAR RAFFLE Festival Schedule _2007 Festival Reviews _ "Festival Promises Fun" The Fortune-Williams Music Festival has just gotten bigger and better. It has never been a disappointment; your weekend will be a bit richer if you attend ... "Blending Music with Education and Culture" In addition to the more intimate and homey ambience that the museum grounds provide for the musical acts onstage, sampling the Americana that is on display there year around is its own reward. Read More Festival Reviews

2008 Guest Artists John Anderson_ Sunday His memorable hits from that musical era included Wild and Blue, I'm Just An Old Chunk Of Coal, 1959, I Just Came Home To Count The Memories, Black Sheep and Swingin'.  Swingin' was not only the Country Music Association's 1983 Song of the year; more recently it was cited by the A.M.O.A. as one of its all-time top-forty jukebox hits--right up there with Hey Jude and other perennial favorites by The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Patsy Cline, George Jones, and The Rolling Stones. Straight Tequila Night, the lead-off single from Seminole Wind (Anderson's debut album for BNA Entertainment), went to number one across the board on every country chart. The vocal genius who won the Country Music Association's 1983 Horizon Award and helped lay the cornerstone for the late 1980's neo-traditionalist boom with his aforementioned early '80's stone-country hits.  Those hits which showcased Anderson's arresting, instantly recognizable vocal style; a provocative mixture of honky tonk fervor, rockabilly/outlaw gusto, sly, tongue-in-cheek humor, and just a hint of rock n' roll swagger.  The Anderson we hear today is merely the new and slightly mellowed adult version of the stylistically headstrong, fiercely determined 17-year old who hit Nashve. Grandstaff _ Sunday The Reid cousins, who seem more like brothers, have sung together as Grandstaff for over 15 years. They are energetic, enthusiastic, and above all, very, very talented. Along with their outstanding harmony, which is an inherent trademark from their fathers, Harold and Don Reid, members of the Statler Brothers, Wil and Langdon are prolific songwriters who have had over 30 songs published and recorded. They can also play many different instruments, which makes an impressive portfolio and contributes to their unique style. But when Wil and Langdon plug up and strap on their electric guitars and turn on their natural entertaining abilities, you can expect to be fulfilled with a musical delight. The SteelDrivers_ Sunday A group of seasoned veterans ­ each distinguished in his or her own right, each valued in the town's commercial community ­ who are seizing an opportunity to follow their hearts to their souls' reward.  In doing so, they are braiding their bluegrass roots with new threads of their own design, bringing together country, soul, and other contemporary influences to create an unapologetic hybrid that is old as the hills but fresh as the morning dew.  This is new music with the old feeling. SteelDrivers fan Vince Gill describes the band's fusion as simply "an incredible combination." Trent Wagler & the Steel Wheels _ Saturday Trent Wagler & the Steel Wheels perform Original Americana Roots Music. Their acoustic music ranges from old time, country folk, infused with elements of gospel, blues, and rock and roll. Trent has been singing since the age of 4. He grew up Mennonite, singing four part harmonies in a family gospel quartet. His musical training since then includes punk rock, jam bands, select university choirs, traditional Arabic music, and his grandfather's harmonica. The Steel Wheels joined Trent in January of 2005, adding a fresh sound and exciting energy to his songwriting. The Steel Wheels are Brian Dickel on Bass, Eric Brubaker on Fiddle, and Jay Lapp on Mandolin.

2008 FORTUNE WILLIAMS MUSIC FESTIVAL SPONSERS

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______ Anderson, White & Co., P.C. ______