Nibroc musical lineup nearly complete

The musical entertainment lineup for NIBROC 2006 is nearly complete and organizers say the festival is shaping up to be one of the best in history.
Last week, Greater Corbin Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bruce Carpenter announced the latest addition to the four-day festival – a Friday, Aug. 11 performance on the main stage by The Knack.
The group, most widely known for its 1979 mega-hit “My Sharona.” The Knack still has three of its four original founding members: Vocalist Don Fieger, lead guitarist Berton Averre, and bass guitarist Prescott Niles.
“When I book these things, I think its important to have as many original members as possible, especially the vocals,” Carpenter said. “It’s one thing to have a drummer or a guitar player that’s new, but the vocals is what we all hear.”
The group has eight albums to its credit, and has appeared on numerous compilations and movie soundtracks. In 1979, The Knack had the No. 1 album in sales and was playing to sell out crowds in huge venues. The album, “Get the Knack,” was recorded for only $17,000 and went gold in just 13 days. Their arrival on the music scene was likened to the “British Invasion” by Rolling Stone Magazine at the time.
Carpenter said the group plays to a demographic not often represented at NIBROC.
“I’ve always said I try to go to different genres … we’ve not really hit that group yet,” he said. “Most of the people that listen to that music are in their 40s. It just seemed to work this time around.”
Carpenter said it’s been amazing the number of people who have expressed excitement about the group, along with other musical acts coming to this year’s NIBROC Festival. Already, country sensation Trick Pony is slated to play Thursday night and southern rock legend Blackfoot will bring a rocking close to the festival on Saturday, Aug. 12. Festival favorite Caught Red Handed will open for Blackfoot.
Carpenter said he’s still working on booking a gospel music group for Wednesday. The night became reserved for the genre of music two years ago and essentially added a fourth night of free entertainment.
“I think we have great entertainment,” Carpenter said. “If it weren’t for our corporate sponsors, we wouldn’t be able to do this. It all started 20 or so years ago with just one night of entertainment. Now it’s four. I think that’s pretty amazing.”
All concerts are schedule to begin at 7:30 p.m.
Already, the festival’s 90 spaces for vendors have been sold. Carpenter said he has a waiting list of over 20 vendors.
A schedule of events and registration forms can be found online at www.corbinky.org, click on the NIBROC 2006 link. Event registration forms can also be obtained from the Greater Corbin Chamber of Commerce.