2011 Artists

Interested in Performing at the 2011 Festival? If you would like to perform at the 2011 festival please e-mail the entertainment coordinator or send a complete media kit to:

Balloons & Tunes Festival
Attn: Entertainment Coordinator
PO Box 430
Rock Spring, GA 30739

Battle of the Bands
 Five bands will compete to win a grand prize of $1,500 and the opening slot for Randy Houser at the 2011 Balloons & Tunes Festival!

Join us on Saturday, July 30 for our first ever Battle of the Bands! Be a part of history in the making as local bands battle to be chosen as the opening act for the headlining artist on Saturday, September 24 at the Balloons and Tunes Festival. The Battle begins at 1pm at the Village Sports Bar in Rock Spring, GA. There will be a $5 cover and lots of door prizes! Please see below for the battle schedule:

1pm – Level Mountain
3:30pm – Legion Theory
5:30pm – Long Gone Darlings
7:45pm – Common Ground
10pm – Robby Hopkins Band

Remember to mark your calendars now for a great night of great music!
Backwater Still is a genre busting blend of kickin’ country, southern rock, rhythm and blues . . . add in some swaggger, a bit of attitude, a touch of humor,and a truckload of talent As their bond of friendship strengthened over the years, through life's struggles, joys, and every day circumstances, the members of Backwater Still used these experiences to become who they are today. Their songwriting is based on those life lessons, and strikes a chord in all who hear the music of Backwater Still.
The Belaires 60's Showband is a Christain based rock band. We are all christains and some of our members have music ministries in the Gospel Field. Our mission is to have fun playing the early music that we grew up with & the music that influenced us as young lads to want to play music.We Pray before we Play !! We promote good clean fun with good old Rock & Roll Music !! The Bel Aires are a show band that specialize in the sounds of the 1960s, an era that brought us the British invasion to the Motown sound to the unique spirit of Creedence Clearwater Revival. The group is very versatile with excellent vocals, music interpretation, and a horn section that exemplifies that period music.
The Music of Chris McDaniel crosses multi-ethnic and generational boundaries. Chris has the uniqe ability to connect with people of all walks of life through his music and story telling. Through tears and laughter, men and women connect with God’s redemptive story that Chris lives out everyday.
Heart of a Champion was inspired by Coweta County Fireman Chris Landreau who is currently fighting Stage 4 Cancer. Corbettte Jackson and The Lost Trailers recently released the single on Itunes, with 100% of the profits going to the Landreau family, and within 2 days the single had entered the Top 100 of Country Songs on iTunes. Within 3 days, Heart of a Champion became the most requested song on KICKS Country 101.5, and started garnering radio play across the state of Georgia. The overwhelming support from the Georgia community, and from Country Radio listeners nationwide, has inspired The Heart of a Champion Tour with Corbette Jackson and The Lost Trailers. Dates will be announced March 26th , at the Carl Black Live On The Lot Performance of Corbette Jackson and The Lost Trailers. All proceeds from merchandise sales on The Heart of a Champion Tour: CD’s, T-Shirts, Posters, etc., will be donated to the Landreau fund. Corbette Jackson follows in the footsteps of fellow Georgians Zac Brown and Luke Bryan, earning a fervent fan base through hard touring, weekly new music releases and from-the-hip video content. The 19-year-old is a triple threat: an accomplished singer, a prolific songwriter, and a barn-burning entertainer
“Common Ground is a North Georgia based cover band that began in 2005 as a group of musicians putting together a band for one performance. That performance has led to years of friendship, fun and great music. Common Ground is Keith Fults, B. J. Stephenson, Kevin McKenzie, Stephanie McKenzie and Craig Wallin. Common Ground blends country and rock, with soul and blues and will take you on a musical journey of your favorite tunes from the 1960’s through current days music. Common ground has performed at festivals, in night clubs, private organizations, parties, weddings and various charity events. With strong vocals and solid musical skills, this five piece band, based in Chickamauga, GA, is guaranteed to put on a show you will not forget.
Legion Theory was formed in early 2008 by multiple personalities from all over Northeast Alabama. We knew after only a few practices that "IT" was there; ya know "IT"...that thing that all famous people seem to have...well, we've got it, a whole 50,000 pound bag of it. The line-up formed when Mick Fortenberry (vocals) and Michael Willingham (rhythm guitar) joined up with Josh Lang (lead guitar) and Alex Partin (BASS). Add to that the power that is Jimmy Lawson (drums) and the rock was inevitable. With a little luck and some breaks every now and then, this 5-piece monster is bound to crawl its way to the top.
Long Gone Darlings is an alternative country rock band from Chattanooga, TN. The group consists of Jennifer Brumlow (guitar and lead vocals), Josh Bates (guitar and backing vocals), Aaron Morris (bass guitar and backing vocals), and Scotty Mattos (drums). The music began with Brumlow and her guitar, writing songs about past experiences and personal reflections. Shortly after letting guitarist Josh Bates hear some of these original songs, the two agreed to begin playing the songs out live together. After a couple of shows, it was decided to add friends Aaron Morris and Scotty Mattos to complete the group’s lineup. With each member having a variety of musical influences, it can be hard to pin down the exact sound of Long Gone Darlings. Listeners can hear anything from alternative country, folk, Americana or simple rock and roll. It is apparent from their music that this Chattanooga-based band finds strength in diversity and lyrically strives to write with honesty and in a way in which others can relate. The group is finishing up a 4-song EP, which should be available by early September, 2011.
From Northwest Georgia, Mercy Call is a young, exciting, and anointed ministry that has been traveling for the past few years. Mercy Call appears regularly in venues such as church services, revivals, fairs, concerts, and many other expos. The hard-work and devotion to the call of Christ is the key to this ministry's success.
“People are ready for real country music again,” says Randy Houser, and there are few people in a better position to give it to them.
Blessed with one of his generation’s great voices, he is also a world-class songwriter, penning hits for artists including Trace Adkins and Justin Moore, and a seasoned entertainer known for the passion and energy he brings to every performance.
His debut album, Anything Goes, introduced him as an exceptional artist, someone with both a cutting-edge sound and a deep respect for classic country. Fans, media and peers alike recognized that he possesses an artistic vision equal to his formidable talent.
Singer/Songwriter Robby Hopkins knows country. He’s lived it. Robby was born near Spencer, Tennessee, into a family with a rich musical heritage. He grew up listening to country greats Keith Whitley, Vern Gosdin, Randy Travis, Alan Jackson, George Jones, and John Anderson — just to name a few – and picking his guitar around bon fires and on front porches with friends and family. He wrote his first song at age sixteen. He’s been writing & performing ever since. Robby is the winner of Singer-Songwriter competitions, including a competition judged by Grammy award-winning singer/songwriter Don Henry, and nationally-known singer/songwriter, Nathan Bell. Robby has just released his latest album, “How’d We End Up Here”, which includes 10 country songs written by Robby & performed with his newly formed band – Robby Hopkins Band. Several crowd favorites are on the cd – “Country’er Than Me”, “Dangerous Side”, “Rough & Rowdy Crowd”, “You Make My World Go Around” and more!
Starting as a Praise and Worship group in Cleveland, TN in 2007,They Came Running has woven a tapestry of ambient and moving anthems. They Came Running's new record titled "The Way You Shine" is a foray into the depths and core beliefs of this group. The progress of this group is not to be watched from a distance but to be participated in as the chorus of fans who have found and treasure this living project. This is just the beginning.

Union Avenue
 Union Av is a product of Tennessee Temple Worship Program. We are a recruiting tool used by the university to tell surrounding churches all over the country about our school. The band was started in 2005 with the mindset of going into churches and encouraging youth to stay on fire for Christ. We share the benefits of having a christian education and being surrounded by teachers and students who share similar passions. We are a contemporary worship team dedicated to furthering the kingdom of God, and bringing glory to His name. We are made up of full time students enrolled at the university. The band is selected from TCW after several years of playing on campus, try outs are held to fill any open spots. We are professional musicians who are prepared and ready to shine His light all over the country.
Zach Cooper