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The Auburn CityFest Committee has a spectacular entertainment line-up for this year’s festival. Live musical entertainment will be
playing in the entertainment pavilion throughout the day. Below is some detailed information about this year’s entertainers.
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Entertainment Schedule for CityFest 2010
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John Peterson kicks off Auburn CityFest 2010
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John Peterson, one of Auburn’s local musicians, will be the opening act at CityFest this year for the first time! He was also featured at Summer
Nights 2009 and regularly plays at the Gnu’s Room in Auburn.
Peterson is a multi-instrumental song writer and performer. His music encompasses several genres including blues, folk, bluegrass and country.
Johnny Cash, Tom Waits and Bright Eyes are three of Peterson’s influence. Peterson was raised in Michigan and came to Auburn in 2003 to pursue
a Ph. D. in Biology.
"My parents are both Ph. D.’s and their fathers are both dairy farmers in Pennsylvania. These influences combined with the traveling I have done in my life form a novel spin on American roots music. I really like telling stories and trying to get people to think broadly. I also like making people laugh. I was always taught to respect my rural roots, but I was also taught to think for myself and appreciate different points of view. I hope this comes through in the music I make.”
John, his wife, Vikki, and son, Cash (named after Johnny Cash) live in Opelika.
To learn more about John Peterson, visit his web site at http://www.myspace.com/alabamahog.
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For more than 15 years, young and old alike have been lured to the dance floor by the irresistible sounds of this versatile and talented group of musicians from Birmingham, Ala. Founded in 1989, as The Grounders, the group began playing popular tunes at college parties throughout the Southeast. Their popularity grew with their collegiate fans and the group quickly found themselves playing at weddings, private parties and corporate functions. In the mid-nineties, the band became The Undergrounders and incorporated the eclectic sounds of jazz and Gospel into their Motown and dance repertoire. The Undergrounders include Randi Carwell (vocals), James Clayton (guitar and vocals),Billy Gant (drums), Stacey Morris (bass), Anthony Williams (keyboards) and a horn section featuring Clarence Allbright (saxophone) and Bo Berry (trumpet). Members of The Undergrounders have played with famous recording artists such as Eddie Kendricks, Paula Abdul, Donovan, Grover Washington, The Temptations, The Ojays, Ellis Marsallis,Wynton Marsallis and many others. The Undergrounders are sure to bring a mix of New Orleans brass and Motown Soul to this year’s festival.
To learn more about the Undergrounders please visit the Music Garden web site at http://www.musicgarden.net/bands/undergrounders.html.
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Returning to CityFest this year is Martha’s Trouble, a contemporary folk husband and wife duo. Throughout their career they have released nine
albums including a live album recorded locally at Opelika’s Eighth & Rail. Jen Slocumb, lead vocalist, has a voice that has been described as
mystical and filled with experience and conviction. Rob, her husband, plays acoustic guitar and sings background. The three other members
helped Martha’s Trouble become the band they had always dreamed of creating. With the guitarist Jacob Blount, drummer David Ytterberg and bassist
Paul Dow, this band is an amazing act to watch!
Some recent awards include BillBoard Top 10 Critics Choice 2008, USA Today Online Top Holiday Album and Performing Songwriter Top 12 DIY Artist.
To learn more about Martha’s Trouble, please visit their website at http://www.marthastrouble.com/mt/
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