By: Robert Price
When blues-rock legend George Thorogood, best known for his song "Bad to the Bone," learned that the Rock, Ribs and Ridges Festival co-features barbecued ribs with the music, he coined a new motto for the event -- "Good to the Bone."
And if the recipe of ribs and southern rock for the first four festivals was good to the bone, the milestone fifth annual Rock, Ribs and Ridges Festival might be described as boneless, because of a new, larger venue and perhaps wider musical appeal.
Start with Thorogood, who, with his band the Destroyers, is celebrating his 40th anniversary in music. Thorogood will headline on the concert stage, along with Grand Funk Railroad, for the two-day event June 28 and 29.
Add the new venue -- the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta -- and world-class ribbers and craft beer brewers, and you have the makings for the best fest yet. The first four fests were held at Hidden Valley on the side of a mountain -- hence, the Ridges in Rock, Ribs and Ridges -- but that Vernon ski resort went out of business last fall.
"The fairgrounds is a huge recognition and branding factor," said Executive Producer Howard Freeman, of Promo 1 in Fairfield. "It became a no-brainer. It gives us room to grow."
But Freeman and his sponsors were already considering a move, even before the unfortunate circumstances at Hidden Valley left their event homeless.
"Frankly, last year we had Charlie Daniels, and we had such a demand that we ran out of parking. We kind of outgrew the venue," Freeman said.
One thing will stay the same this year -- the presenting sponsor is Franklin Sussex Auto Mall. Weis Markets, Miller Lite, Rider Insurance and Tramontin Harley-Davidson are also sponsors.
Before Thorogood closes out the fest on Sunday, American blues rock band Grand Funk Railroad rides its "45 Years of Grand Funk Tour" into the fairgrounds on Saturday.
From their heyday as one of the biggest bands of their time -- in 1970 they sold more albums than any other American band and the following year broke the Beatles' attendance record by selling out Shea Stadium in just 72 hours -- Grand Funk Railroad continues to rock the house with their mega hits "I'm Your Captain/Closer to Home," "We're An American Band," "The Loco-Motion" and "Some Kind of Wonderful."
Also appearing Saturday are New Riders of the Purple Sage, Leslie West, Citizens Band Radio and the Farmer Phil Band. Supporting Thorogood on Sunday will be The Outlaws, Artimus Pyle, of Lynyrd Skynyrd fame, and the Pfeiffer Twins, returning to their roots from their new home in Nashville.
Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Artimus Pyle of Lynyrd Skynyrd is a staple of the festival.
Pyle's powerful and distinctive double bass drumming helped define the legendary Skynyrd sound, which includes the classic hits "Sweet Home Alabama," "Freebird," "What's Your Name," "Gimme Three Steps," "Saturday Night Special" and "That Smell."
From his glory days with Mountain ("Mississippi Queen," "Nantucket Sleighride") through the powerhouse trio of West, Bruce and Lang, Leslie West laid the foundation for loud hard-rock guitar bands everywhere. The New Jersey native established his heavy-metal legacy at the Fillmore and with his breakthrough performance at Woodstock in 1969. "Mississippi Queen," with its celebrated cowbell count-off, is a staple of classic rock radio.
"I grew up with Mountain. It's so great to be able to get Leslie," Freeman said. "And if you're not ready to party with Artimus Pyle from Lynyrd Skynyrd, you're not ready to party at all.
"We've increased the talent budget this year and really stepped up the star quality," he added.
Among the many ribbers this year will be Texas Smoke Barbeque of Jefferson, Three Men & a Baby Back from Bergen County, Pigtails Barbeque from Ohio, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que of Newark, and Chumley's BBQ & Catering Co., of Florida, N.Y.
Because of the expansive facilities at the fairgrounds, on-site camping is being offered this year. Camping is $135 per adult, which includes a general admission weekend pass.
If you go ...
What: Rock, Ribs & Ridges music and food festival
When: June 28 and 29
Where: Sussex County Fairgrounds, Plains Road, Augusta
Admission: $35-$75
Tickets, information: 973-882-8240, www.rockribsandridges.com
Lineup
Saturday, June 28
12:30 p.m. -- Farmer Phil Band
1:45 p.m. -- Citizens Band Radio
3 p.m. -- New Riders of the Purple Sage
5 p.m. -- Leslie West of Mountain
7 p.m. -- Grand Funk Railroad
Sunday, June 29
12:30 p.m. -- Pfeiffer Twins
2 p.m. -- Artimus Pyle Band
4 p.m. -- The Outlaws
6 p.m. -- George Thorogood and the Destroyers