Published Saturday, September 04, 2010 12:14 AM

Music fest has a few changes

By MATTHEW WATKINS
matthew.watkins@theeagle.com

Long-time fans of the Ziegenbock Music Festival may not recognize its eighth annual incarnation on Sunday.

It's changed locations from Lake Bryan to the Texas World Speedway south of College Station. The stage will be decked out with lights and video boards. And the lineup of musicians is branching out beyond the traditional Texas country fare.

But organizers say the festival's regulars will still get the afternoon of music they enjoy.

"It's the same attitude, just different location," said Matt Bobbitt, co-owner of the Global Event Group, which is putting on the show. "We are not trying to change the vibe by any means."

Several thousand people are expected to set up chairs, blankets and umbrellas and enjoy more than eight hours of music from seven bands.

Bobbitt said the festival changed locations after traffic problems at last year's event to make it more accessible to attendees. The lineup has been tweaked to appeal to a broader audience, he said.

The show will still have plenty of country from acts such as the Eli Young Band, Kevin Fowler, Jack Ingram and the Gourds. But The Original Wailers and Blue October will provide some diversity, organizers said.

This year's festival will also have a worldwide audience. For the first time, the last two hours of the show will be broadcast live to troops stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Festival attendees will be able to see the troops watching the show on video boards next to the stage.

Organizers reached out to troops from Texas, and some will be able to communicate with family members attending the event.

Jason Esparza. who arranged the broadcast for the troops, said one group arranged to record a message to the crowd.

"They were all from A&M and from the Corps and they do a big A&M cheer kind of thing," he said.

The show will also be broadcast on select television stations across Texas and Louisiana.

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at www.ziegfest.com. Reserved seats can also be purchased for $40. Parking is $5, and beer, water and food can be purchased at the event with cash only.

Gates open at 12:30 p.m., and the first performance begins at 2 p.m.

ON STAGE

The lineup for Sunday's Ziegenbock Music Festival includes:

* All Star Jam

* Eli Young Band

* Jack Ingram

* The Gourds

* Blue October

* Kevin Fowler

* The Original Wailers

* Sunny Sweeney

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