Country in the Country Music Fest returns to HadleyDate: 6/20/2023 HADLEY — The second annual Country in the Country Music Fest will take the stage on Saturday, June 24 at The Young Men’s Club of Hadley. The event will feature a lineup of country music performances with proceeds from the event going to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
The nonprofit club has been in operation since 1939 and takes part in several charitable donation events during the course of the year.
Club Vice President Rich Downie also chairs the concert committee and said last year’s event was a strong venture and he hopes this year will be even better.
“Last year we had [Singer-Songwriter] Rodney Atkins for our headliner,” he said. “We raised on the plus side of $5,000 for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, this year we chose Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital and our goal is $10,000.”
Downie, who booked the five bands performing that night noted the lineup includes three well-known Nashville-based performers, Josh Turner, Tyler Farr and Aaron Tippin. Also on stage will be New England performers Cottonwood and Annie Brobst, a Country Music Association Artist of the Year.
“This was extremely successful last year, all the feedback we had was fantastic,” he said. “Last year we had about 2,300 [people].” Downie expects to be closer to 3,000 in attendance this time out.
“It’s a party, it’s a country party,” Downie said.
With crowds, food, music and alcohol all part of the event, Downie said they do plan to watch things carefully despite having no issues last year.
“This year we actually increased security because we know with the three Nashville acts, it will be bigger,” he said.
Downie said the club hosts other events on the East Street property that the community is able to enjoy and take part in.
“It’s a membership-based club, we keep our prices low so people can come here and afford to come here,” he said. “Our ticket prices for the concert are $40 for GA [General Admission] for three people from Nashville, a CMA artist of the year and a local country band.”
“We want to make $10,000 for Saint Jude’s but other than that, we’re not trying to make money,” Downie added.
The eight-hour event opens at 2 p.m. and will run until 10 p.m.
More information, including tickets, can be found at countryinthecountry.com.
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