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September 6, 2012

Headhunters, Casey James headline Turkey Trot

MONTGOMERY — Variety will be the key as usual to this year’s music performances at the Turkey Trot Festival.

In the past the festival has brought popular country stars such as Kenny Chesney and Josh Turner out to crowds of nearly 10,000, who bring their blankets, lawn chairs, and even couches to enjoy the shows.

And country music will be on stage Friday night with the Kentucky Headhunters at 8:15 p.m. Saturday night will bring Casey James to the stage at 8:15 p.m.

Band members of the Kentucky Headhunters are four lead singers and founders from popular 70s bands: Peter Rivera of Rare Earth; Jerry Corbetta of Sugarloaf; Mike Pinera of Blues Image and Iron Butterfly; and Dennis Nada of Cannibal and The Headhunters.

Some original hits to be sung by the musicians who made them famous include “Green Eyed Lady,” “Losin’ You,” “Don’t Call Us We’ll Call You,” “Ride Captain Ride,” “Get Ready,” “I Just Want to Celebrate,” “Land of a Thousand Dances,” “Inna Gadda Da Vida” and “Hey Big Brother.”

For those of us who enjoy country and bluegrass music, the Kentucky Headhunters are a real treat. Many people are surprised by how many songs they know and can sing along with.

The Kentucky Headhunters, originally known as the Itchy Brothers, were formed in 1968 when Richard Young and his brother, Fred, cousin, Anthony Kenney and Greg Martin started playing together. Ricky Lee and Dough Phelps jumped on board in 1985 to form the official Kentucky Headhunters.

According to a press release, the Headhunters have won Album of the Year and Group of the Year at the CMA, ACM, and Grammy award presentations. They have also sold 6 million albums.

Casey Everett James started playing guitar at a young age. According to his mother, he was singing before he could talk. His mother embraced his love of music, and when Casey was 15 she bought him a 40th Anniversary Fender Stratocaster as a Christmas present. Within a year Casey was ripping it up on his new guitar, playing all different kinds of music.

He started out his career by accompanying his mother performing at local churches, weddings and retirement homes. But then he began playing with his older brother Billy Cole at much more interesting locations.

In no time people realized that he had a real talent and he began playing regular gigs with older musicians. Casey wrote in his high school yearbook that his greatest dream was to become a famous blues musician.

All of his dreams were almost ripped out from under him at the age of 21 when a truck turned unexpectedly in front of him as he was taking his new motorcycle out for a spin. Casey sustained multiple fractures to his right leg.

But that wasn’t his worst injury. His left arm and wrist were seriously injured. The doctors told Casey he would never be able to play guitar again.

But, after months and months of steely determination and hard work, he rehabilitated himself until he could tear it up on the guitar again.

In 2009, Casey’s mother urged him to try out for American Idol. Critics and fans alike loved him on the show.

He advanced until he was finally voted out, securing third place. He signed with Sony Nashville and the BNA labels and has been doing what he loves ever since. He has opened for Sugarland on their Incredible Machine Tour and has been playing headlining gigs including performing acts at the AMC awards after party and CMA fest.

Admission to the concerts is included in the price of admission to the festival. The price is $10 at the gate Thursday-Sunday, or $30 for a four day pass.

With the purchase of a season pass, one will automatically be entered into the drawing for a Fisher-Paykel $600 Clothes Washer donated by Yoder’s Furniture and Appliances of Washington.

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