CountryWide Music Festival brings David Nail, Jordan Rager and more performing to honor veterans
CountryWide Music Festival is bringing a star-studded group together to help celebrate members and veterans of the armed forces, police, firefighters and other first responders. The lineup for Friday’s concert in Central City Park includes headliner David Nail, Keith Anderson, Jordan Rager, Justin Dukes, Phoenix Drive and Jacob Powell.
Charles Dejournett, president of the CountryWide Music Festival, summed up his motivation in organizing the event in a heartfelt discussion of its purpose.
“This event is near and dear to my heart,” Dejournett said. “Being an Air Force veteran myself, I really wanted to do something to say thank you. When returning home from one of my first deployments, we were greeted by veterans from WWII and Vietnam. It spoke volumes for them to take time out to be there and greet us coming off the plane. I wanted to do something that was out loud and in a big way to say how much I appreciated everything that these men and women did for us.”
And it’s not just members of the military for whom we should be thankful.
“We have police officers and fire fighters who put everything on the line on a daily basis at home,” Dejournett said. “With the crazy things that go on in the world today, it is a great time to stand up and recognize everything that they do and to let them know we appreciate it.
“That is what this event is about. We would love to see this turn into an annual event to show our respectful thanks in a big way. We hope to see people turn out to support our veterans and show their respect. ‘Countrywide, American Pride’: We hope to spread that slogan as much as we can.”
Young country musician Jordan Rager said he can’t wait to be on stage at this event.
“I’m originally from Georgia. Any chance I get to play in my home state, I do it,” Rager said. “I have a couple of buddies playing in the festival, like Jacob Powell, who is a great up-and-coming artist. I’ve never done a show with him before, and I think it will be really cool. Also, I’m a big fan of David Nail. He has some of the best music out there right now. Plus, when someone told me that it was a benefit for first responder, fire fighters and veterans, I was automatically there. I am a huge supporter and I definitely wanted to be a part of something that supported them.”
Rager said his musical influences range from country music to rock ’n’ roll.
“My music meshes the two of those together. I like to get on stage and have fun. I just want to rock out,” he said. “It’s going to be high energy and it gives me the chance to play some new songs from my new record. I spent the better part of the last three years writing songs for this record and it has given me time to write what I think are the best songs I’ve ever written. It’s not titled yet, but it should be coming out very soon.”
CountryWide Music Festival
When: 5 p.m. Sept. 11
Where: Central City Park, downtown Macon
Cost: $25 general; $15 military, police and first responders; $99 VIP packages available; free for children 5 and younger
Information: www.countrywidemusicfest.com
This story was originally published September 10, 2015 at 8:20 PM with the headline "CountryWide Music Festival brings David Nail, Jordan Rager and more performing to honor veterans ."