Concerts slated at SML
By Justin Faulconer on Jul. 16, 2008
Several high-profile country, rock and Christian rock music artists will soon test the waters of a developing entertainment market at Smith Mountain Lake.
Sweetwater Entertainment Group Inc. - operated by Moneta native Holly Sweet and husband/partner Darren Snyder - has announced seven concerts in late August.
Sara Evans, Blake Shelton, Lonestar, Diamond Rio, Grand Funk Railroad, TobyMac and Styx are slated to headline a string of outdoor shows with festival-style seating across the Mariners Landing entrance on Smith Mountain Lake Parkway.
Ticket prices range from $30 to $35 at the gate and $25 to $35 in advance.
“We’re trying to keep prices where people can come to more than one show,” Sweet said.
Sweet and Snyder, the current production manager and audio engineer for country artist Darryl Worley, are still in the planning stages for Sweetwater Amphitheater - a 7,000-seat facility in Moneta close to Virginia 122.
Bedford County officials last year approved rezoning 40 acres within the 56-acre site to allow the project to move forward. All votes were unanimous, and there was no public opposition.
The couple say they want to attract high-quality musical entertainment of various genres and provide a venue for local artists.
Of the upcoming shows, Sweet said, “We tried very hard to come up with a good lineup. We have a lot of partners, who have pulled their resources to make this happen.”
The Franklin County native and Sweet moved to Moneta from Nashville to pursue the project after separate music careers.
Vicki Gardner, director of the Smith Mountain Lake Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber has already received many inquiries about the upcoming concerts.
“The venue is excellent,” she said. “They’re not just coming and rolling the dice. They have planned it well.”
All shows start at 7 p.m. To order tickets, visit http://www.smlconcerts.com
Concert Schedule:
Aug. 8: Sarah Evans
Aug. 15: Styx
Aug. 16: Lonestar
Aug. 22: Grand Funk Railroad
Aug. 23: Blake Shelton
Aug. 28: TobyMac
Aug. 29: Diamond Rio
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