Rothbury Music Festival 2009: July 2 - 5 in Rothbury, Michigan

The Rothbury Music Festival is a highly anticipated celebration of music, art, and good times that is set to make its return to the Double JJ Ranch and Resort in Rothbury, Michigan. Though the festival's venue itself had quite a bit of financial and bankruptcy issues, that threatened the 2009 installment of the event, eager music fans can look forward to spending some time in the great outdoors and enjoying some great tunes at the same time.

Set to take place Thursday, July 2 to Sunday July 5, 2009, this year brings another non-stop variety show of music and entertainment to the Western Michigan area. Attendance is expected to be slightly lower than last year's estimated 40,000 concert-goers, due to the poor economy and the fact that many weren't even quite sure if the Rothbury Festival was going to happen again up until a few months ago. But those who have already bought tickets, and those who have yet to do so are in for a very special treat to say the least. Let's take a look at some of the biggest names on this year's lineup.

The Dead - fresh off from their first official tour since 2004, the surviving members of The Grateful Dead (Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Bill Kreutzmann, and Mickey Hart), along with some other special guests will grace the main stage of Rothbury on the Fourth of July - their only summer performance.

Bob Dylan and His Band - nothing much needs to be said about Bob Dylan - the man is a living legend, and if you haven't heard his name or some of his music already, then you've been living under a rock for your entire life.

The String Cheese Incident - though they officially broke up at the end of Summer in 2007, the String Cheese Incident is reuniting at the Rothbury Music Festival for their one and only performance of 2009 - and because all of the band's members are busy with side projects, it may be a while before we see another SCI show.

Rounding out the lineup are such national acts as Willie Nelson and Family, The Black Crowes, Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley with Nas, G. Love and Special Sauce, Gov't Mule, Yonder Mountain String Band, The Disco Biscuits, Ani DiFranco, Girl Talk, Ralph Stanley and The Clinch Mountain Boys, Zappa Plays Zappa, and many, many more.

For more information, including a complete lineup and to buy tickets, visit www.rothburyfestival.com.