Clint Black
The Moonlite Drive-In and the Virginia Highlands Festival, Abingdon, Virginia, are collaborating for the concert of the summer in Southwest Virginia. Both organizations are celebrating their 75th anniversary this year, and the Moonlite Drive-In is reopening as a multipurpose entertainment venue. The two organizations are inviting the community to be part of the celebration.
A live concert on the grounds at the Moonlite is scheduled during a grand opening celebration Saturday, Aug. 3, from 5-10 p.m. The event features Clint Black, Lance Stinson and Mason Ramsey.
The concert serves as a fundraising event for a full restoration of the theater. Look forward to a field lined with food trucks, merchandise tents, beer gardens and a stellar music line-up.
Country icon Clint Black, one of the truest traditionalists in music over the last three decades, celebrates the 35th anniversary of this debut album, “Killin’ Time,” on tour in 2024. For the first time ever, he’ll play the groundbreaking record live start to finish followed by more of his legendary hits.
A true triple threat singer/guitarist/songwriter, Black has sold more than 20 million records, written and recorded 22 #1 singles, and has been awarded nearly two-dozen gold and platinum awards, a Grammy, numerous CMA, ACM and American Music Awards. He’s a member of the Grand Ole Opry and has been honored with stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Nashville Walk of Fame.
This year Black received the Poet’s Award at the ACM Honors, an award given to the most remarkable and enduring talents in country music songwriting. For more information about Black, visit www.clintblack.com.
Stinson is one of the opening artists. A day in the life of country music artist Stinson is where country music fans are; outdoors, working hard, making memories with family. Authentic relatability is no marketing schmooze scheme for Stinson. He’s the real country deal.
Stinson sings songs about real country living, and his fan base loves it. He has made a career of creating great music with a live performance with real entertainment value. He recently self-released his collaborative song with well-known country act Craig Campbell titled “Altamaha.” The fan response has been gratifying. Stinson’s streaming numbers and fan engagement has been increasing every day since its release. He is setting himself up to become the next grass roots, self-contained, super star in the country music market. See more about Stinson at www.lancestinson.net.
Mason Ramsey is the second opening artist. As the youngest major label country artist signed in the genre in nearly two decades, Ramsey continues his fast-track to stardom as he has already delivered three acclaimed EPs, earned a Gold-certified single, headlined two tours in addition to supporting a Las Vegas residency, and has amassed over 400 million global streams to date. Praised by The New York Times as delivering “a stylistically diverse country and roots music EP,” for his debut EP, “Famous.” which spawned a hit single of the same name and scored a #4 spot on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Chart.
In addition to making his debut at the famed Grand Ole Opry, the Golconda, Illinois-bred phenom has also performed at several high-profile festivals including CMA Fest, Coachella, iHeartCountry Festival and Stagecoach. Learn more about Ramsey at www.masonramsey.com.
For concert tickets visit www.vahighlandsfestival.com. Tickets are $150 for VIP seating; $100 for preferred seating; $50 for general admission; $25 ages 11-17 general admission; and 10 and under free general admission.
Founded in 1949, the Virginia Highlands Festival is an annual, 10-day event devoted to the celebration of Southwest Virginian heritage and rich Appalachian tradition. Held in historic Abingdon, Virginia, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the festival attracts over 200,000 visitors each year.
The festival was once again selected as the “Best Art Event” by the readers of Virginia Living magazine for 2024 as well as “Best Festival” from Blue Ridge Country and many others. In 2024, the 75th Annual Virginia Highlands Festival runs through Aug. 4.
