Big Spring Jam XV Comes to Huntsville, Alabama

You may not think of the small city of Huntsville, Alabama as being the spot to host some of the biggest names in rock, Christian, and country music, but each September, Huntsville puts on one of the biggest music festivals in the South. Located halfway between Nashville and Birmingham, Huntsville is often bypassed by the big-name concert bookings, but the Big Spring Jam is certainly an exception. For the last fifteen years, thousands of music lovers have flocked to downtown Huntsville to hear acts like Lynyrd Skynyrd, Olivia Newton-John, Jewel, Diamond Rio, Collective Soul, and George Clinton. The Jam prides itself in featuring not only the hottest bands, but old favorites such as Foreigner and The Turtles, as well as local acts and emerging new groups. It also includes children's music and activities, food vendors, and karaoke -- essentially, something for each member of the family.

Big Spring Jam, whose name comes from its location in Big Spring Park, is held by the non-profit Heritage Foundation, and since its beginning has donated more than half a million dollars to local charities. Weekend passes are $45 dollars, and day passes are $25 dollars -- a great deal for the chance to see around 60 bands on five stages!

When you get hungry (and I'm sure you will), the Jam offers around twenty different food and drink vendors, including Asian Grill, Bavarian Roasters, and Nancy's Lemonade (fresh squeezed and delicious!). As an added bonus, the 2007 Jam will include a concession stand from Beauregard's, home of some of the best wings in Alabama. Besides offering a variety of Asian foods and traditional Southern fried foods, the concession stands provide classic concert fare such as hot dogs, hamburgers, and of course, funnel cake.

This year, the Big Spring features 65 acts on five different stages, including two stages for country and Christian music. Some of the hot names in rock this year include:

- Soul Asylum
- Seether
- Breaking Benjamin
- Three Days Grace
- Puddle of Mud

The lineup of Christian bands include:

- Jars of Clay
- BarlowGirl
- Need to Breathe
- Falling Up

Country stars include:

- Sawyer Brown
- Bucky Covington
- LeAnn Rimes
- Pat Green
- Craig Morgan

You will also have a chance to hear some classic rock from Foreigner, George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, as well as some funk and jam from Keller Williams and the North Mississippi Allstars. So bring your camping chairs and blankets and get ready for a weekend of food, fun, and great music!