ENTERTAINMENT

Rock, Ribs & Ridges returns to Augusta

BILL NUTT
CORRESPONDENT

As lead vocalist for Foreigner and as a solo artist, Lou Gramm has been performing regularly since the 1970s.

But even after 40-plus years, Gramm says he still gets a fresh thrill when he appears live. “I know I’m enjoying myself on stage,” he says. “Some of these songs were written years and years ago, but we play them with a lot of panache.”

Gramm adds that he also takes pride in the fact, in 2013, he and Mick Jones were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame for such songs as “Cold as Ice,” “Feels Like the First Time,” and “I Want to Know What Love Is.”

“That meant the world to me,” says Gramm. “Crafting a song is every bit as important as recording it. You have to have the foundation. I put in a lot of time and a lot of late nights before I could say, ‘I think I’ve got it.’ ”

Gramm will sing those songs and others from his career when he appears as the Saturday headliner at the 6th annual Rock, Ribs & Ridges Festival. The two day music and food event returns to the Sussex County Fairgrounds on June 27 and 28.

For producer Howard Freeman, the appearance of Lou Gramm is part of the constant evolution of the festival.

Rock, Ribs & Ridges Festival started in 2010 with a line-up geared mainly toward Southern rock, Freeman says. That sound is still apparent, with performances this year by the likes of the Charlie Daniels Band and the Marshall Tucker Band.

But in recent years, Freeman has responded to his audience by incorporating more classic rock. For example, Blue Oyster Cult – the band that gave cowbell a good name with “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” – will also play this year.

“When we started, I didn’t know if the music would evolve more toward country or Southern rock,” says Freeman, who produces the festival through his company, Promo 1. “Now it seems that we’ve found this niche with classic and Southern rock.”

“Having Lou Gramm is great for us,” Freeman says. “His voice is still unbelievable, and people know almost every one of those songs.”

Other acts this year include the Pat Travers Band, Gary Douglas, and Artimus Pyle, the former drummer for Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Though music is a major draw for the event, Freeman also stresses that audiences also respond to the food, particularly the barbecue competition. Nationally recognized chefs vie for prizes for “best ribs,” “best sauce,” and “people’s choice.”

Among this year’s competitors will be Texas Smoke Barbecue from Jefferson the Bergen County-based Three Men and a Baby Back.

The festival also offers a variety of chicken and pulled pork, as well as non-barbecue food, craft beer and other beverages. One of the VIP packages available to attendees is a beer-tasting tent.

“When we started, we had no idea how this would go over,” says Freeman. “We’ve expanded more than I thought we would. It’s challenged us to have better beer, better ribs, and better music.”

To accommodate the crowd, Freeman moved the location of the Rock, Ribs, & Ridges Festival to the Sussex County Fairgrounds. The new venue has opened up the opportunities for campers and RVs.

“We think campers will be huge for us,” says Freeman. He notes that this year a post-festival party will be available exclusively for overnight attendees.

“We’re really pleased that the festival has grown the way it has,” Freeman concludes. “It’s a great time of year, and it’s a beautiful setting.”

sixTH ANNUAL ROCK, RIBS & RIDGES FESTIVAL

WHAT: Two-day event featuring 10 bands (including Lou Gramm, the Marshall Tucker Band, Blue Oyster Cult, the Charlie Daniels Band, and Artimus Pyle, former drummer of Lynyrd Skynyrd) and competition among barbecue ribbers. Food, beverages, and crafts available.

WHEN: 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

WHERE: Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road, Augusta

TICKETS: Single-day pass: $40 in advance, $45 at gate. Weekend pass: $75 in advance, $75 at gate. Children ages 4 through 12: $15 for single day, $30 for weekend; children age 3 and under free. VIP packages (including exclusive beer-tasting test) start at $75. Other packages available, including on-site camping.

INFORMATION: 973-882-8240 or www.rockribsandridges.com

Lineup (subject to change):

Saturday, June 27

11:30 a.m. Doors open

12:30 p.m. The Farmer Phil Band

1:45 p.m. Pat Travers Band

3:00 p.m. Preacher Stone

5:00 p.m. Blue Oyster Cult

7:00 p.m. Lou Gramm, the voice of Foreigner

Sunday, June 28

11:30 a.m. Doors open

11:50 a.m. Gary Douglas Band

12:30 p.m. Stolen Rhodes

2:00 p.m. Artimus Pyle Band

4:00 p.m. Marshall Tucker Band

6:00 p.m. Charlie Daniels Band