Additional free concerts announced for GIE+EXPO 2013
The 2013 Green Industry & Equipment Expo (GIE+EXPO) — set to take place Wednesday, Oct. 23, through Friday, Oct. 25, at Louisville’s Kentucky Exposition Center — announces four additional performers for the GIE+EXPO concert series to be held in downtown Louisville at Fourth Street Live. The Jamie McLean Band will perform before Craig Morgan on Wednesday. Angie Johnson, former contestant on The Voice, will open for Three Dog Night on Thursday. Holly Williams, daughter of Hank Williams Jr., will perform Friday, with special guest and returning performer, Olivia Henken.
Opening for Craig Morgan on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. is the Jamie McLean Band. Jamie McLean was originally a guitarist for the Dirty Dozen Brass Band before branching out on his own in 2006. He joined up with Brian Griffin on drums and Ben Mars on bass, and it proved to be the right decision. The band now has five albums of true country rock, or, as they say, “downtown rock and roll, country and swampy soul.”
Staff Sgt. Angie Johnson’s rise to fame wasn’t smooth. In fact, it was rife with confusion, false starts and dust, plenty of dust. Before a viral YouTube video caused Carson Daly to search for the unknown singer on Twitter and invite her to join The Voice, Johnson spent most of her time in fatigues. She’s been an intelligence analyst, an Air Force Band vocalist, a struggling singer/songwriter and an undergrad pursuing a doctorate in psychology. Since starring on The Voice, Johnson has signed with Sony Nashville and was set to release her first album, “Sing for You,” in May. She also continues to serve one weekend each month with the Missouri Air National Guard as a band vocalist to lift troop morale. Johnson will open for Three Dog Night on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
New to the GIE+EXPO stage, but not to the country music world, is Holly Williams, daughter of Hank Williams Jr., granddaughter of Hank Williams. As one might expect from a Williams, she’s a southern girl who can belt out a country ballad, but she stays true to her own tune. Her latest album, “The Highway,” is a distinctly personal record, one Williams chose to write and produce independently. A few recognizable voices can be heard on the album, including Dierks Bentley, Jakob Dylan, Jackson Browne and Gwyneth Paltrow. Williams will take the stage at 9 p.m. on Friday.
Returning performer and Louisville native, Olivia Henken will open for Williams on Friday night at 8 p.m. Henken has been busy promoting her album, “Ride,” a mix of country rock and soulful ballads, and she’s making a name for herself. This country bombshell may be a local celebrity, but she has her sights set on something bigger — her goal is to become Country Music’s Entertainer of the Year. Don’t miss the native country sensation who delivered the rocking performance at GIE+EXPO 2012.
Nissan Commercial Vehicles, an exhibitor, is GIE+EXPO’s stage sponsor for three nights of entertainment.
GIE+EXPO will be held at the Ky. Exposition Center in Louisville. The 2013 dates are Wednesday, October 23, Dealer Day; October 24-25, all industry participants. Now the ninth largest trade show in North America, the annual event is sponsored by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, Inc., Professional Grounds Management Society and Professional Landcare Network. For information and online registration, visit www.gie-expo.com. Other contact points: Facebook, info@GIE-EXPO.com and (800) 558-8767/(812) 949-9200.
