Jamboree In The Hills
, also known as the "Super Bowl of Country Music," is a four-day-long festival of country music held annually in the rolling hills of Morristown, Ohio (about 1 1/2 hours west of Pittsburgh) in Belmont County. The popular concert, owned by parent company Live Nation, showcases a wide variety of new, veteran, and legendary musicians, and runs Thursday through Sunday every summer during the third week of July.
The program is a spinoff of the WWVA Jamboree.
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JAMBOREE IN THE HILLS TICKETS
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History and Tradition
Jamboree in the Hills (often abbreviated as JITH or "Jambo") began as a two-day outdoor music festival in July 1977 and was held at Brush Run Park near
St. Clairsville, Ohio. It was the concept of Glenn Reeves along with Jerry Brightman that brought it to fruition. It has since grown to a four-day, annual festival, bringing in more than 100,000 country music fans each year. Fans from all over the United States, and from many areas of the world, pitch tents and park campers on the hill above the amphitheater and all through the immediate region, filling camp grounds, front yards, and backyards alike, dragging wagons loaded with lawn chairs, beer, and plenty of ice.
The current outdoor amphitheater (the second site for the concert since 1977) is currently enhanced by several speaker towers and jumbotron TV screens, so even the fans at the top of the rolling hill can easily enjoy the show. Jamboree in the Hills is one of the largest and most celebrated annual country music events. The concert range is so large that it is home to its very own post office and on-site emergency ward staffed by East Ohio Regional Hospital that has, in the past, even delivered babies on the grounds.
The site is even host to a number of weddings each year. There is a photo aisle in front of the stage where fans can walk through and take snapshots of their favorite country music artists. In 2006, the barn-like stage used to showcase performers underwent a massive face lift. It was completely torn down and replaced with a bigger stage to better suit the hillside amphitheater. There is also an area on site where fireworks are shot off on a given night during the concert (traditionally, Saturday).
Usually country music stars are the main focus of the concert, but entertainers from other genres have also shared the stage over the years, including
"Weird Al" Yankovic,
The Beach Boys and the
Steve Miller Band. The entire concert is covered live on local news station
WTOV, aside from a few performers who decline to go on air (usually only one or two each year). Recent examples include
Carrie Underwood (due to
American Idol contracts) and
Keith Urban. For the 2009 festival, only two days will be broadcast locally.
Past performers include
Alan Jackson,
Brad Paisley,
Garth Brooks,
Rascal Flatts,
Travis Tritt,
Alabama,
Kenny Chesney,
The Charlie Daniels Band,
Martina McBride,
Toby Keith,
Keith Urban,
Hank Williams, Jr.,
Johnny Cash,
Willie Nelson,
Tim McGraw,
Faith Hill,
Brooks & Dunn and
Merle Haggard.
Jamboree in the Hills Theme Song
Penned in 1978 by Mayf Nutter, the Jamboree in the Hills theme song is proudly played annually at the festival. The lyrics to the song describe the first Jamboree and the excitement that surrounded the event. A new song was recently released by Mt. Pleasant native and Jamboree 2007 performer Joe Zelek.
The Redneck Run
There are only a few seating arrangements or assigned places at the Jamboree site, referred to as lawn seats, which are green lawn chairs. Each morning during the event, hundreds of country music fans stampede through the gate with their blankets, tarps, and lawn chairs, and try to get a space as close to the stage as possible. This is often a muddy and chaotic event and has been dubbed over the years as "The Redneck Run."
Tips for the Redneck Run
Wear tennis shoes (Sheriffs usually enforce this and send those in sandals to the back of the line). This may be the only time during the week that you wear them, but they are well worth it. Make sure your wallet (if you carry one) is secured. Tent stakes are not allowed to hold your tarp down, so plan accordingly -some people bring socks packed with sand, others gather rocks. The weather during the day sometimes can be windy which will disturb your tarp site. Fastening it down to the ground is a good idea. MOST OF THE TIME your tarp site will not be disturbed by Jambo goers, but some people aren't so courteous. Realize that your tarp may be moved or stolen when you are not inside the concert area.
2009 Line-Up
July 16-19
WEDNESDAY
Nate Greenawalt and Jeff Grove feat. Skippy @ Valleyview Campsite 10pm
THURSDAY
The Stickers,
Ashton Shepherd,
Zac Brown Band,
Jamey Johnson,
Alan Jackson
FRIDAY
Julia Burton,
Joe Zelek Band,
Luke Bryan,
Jason Michael Carroll,
Big & Rich (w/Cowboy Troy)
SATURDAY
Mayf Nutter,
Stephen Cochran,
The Fabulous Bender Boys,
The Chris Higbee Project,
Eric Church,
Lee Ann Womack,
Neal McCoy,
Steve Miller Band,
Toby Keith
SUNDAY
Kate & Kacey Coppola,
Adam Gregory,
Lee Greenwood,
Merle Haggard (Replaced by Joe Diffie and John Anderson due to illness)
Craig Morgan