Styx to headline Nibroc

 Classic rock group Styx will headline the entertainment lineup at Nibroc 2012.

The band, which came out of Chicago and had multiple hits in the 70’s and 80’s such as, "Lady," "Come Sail Away," and "Too Much Time on My Hands," will take to the main stage Friday night.

"We have had some great act perform at Nibroc in the past," said Bruce Carpenter, executive director of the Corbin Economic Development Agency/Southern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, noting musicians and bands such as Kansas, Eddie Money, Little River Band, .38 Special, Joan Jett and Blake Shelton have previously headlined the event. "In my opinion, this is at the very top."

Carpenter said bringing Styx to Corbin has been something that has been in the back of his mind for several years. After seeing the band perform in October, he said he thought it would be ideal to bring Styx to town to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Nibroc.

"A couple of weeks ago, when I saw that the routing for their concert tour would work, I contacted their agency," Carpenter said. "We went back and forth and I got an e-mail (Monday) night saying it was a done deal."

Styx, which is comprised of Tommy Shaw, James "JY" Young, Lawrence Gowan, Todd Sucherman and Ricky Phillips, got its start as a basement band in Chicago in the early 70s. The band’s self-titled album debuted in 1972. The music, which was similar to other bands of the day such as Emerson, Lake and Palmer and the Moody Blues, failed to make it into mainstream music. In 1974, that changed when the song, "Lady," began climbing up the charts to number six.

More hits followed throughout the 70’s and into the 80’s including, "Come Sail Away," "Renegade," Blue Collar Man" and Fooling Yourself."

Following the released of  "Live" album in 1984, the band took a decade-long hiatus, returning in 1995 to re-release, "Lady."

In 1996, the band began a reunion tour. However, drummer John Panozzo fell ill due to the effects of alcoholism and soon died. With new drummer Todd Sucherman in place, Styx returned to the road in 1997 and released a new album, "Return to Paradise," featuring the song, "Mr. Roboto."

The Corbin Tourism Commission initially gave $25,000 to help offset the cost of sound, production and lights at the stage in Nibroc Park and the main stage.

Carpenter came to the meeting of the Corbin Tourism Commission Monday and said he was working on something special for the 60th annual festival and asked for an additional $25,000.

"I knew it would take a little more to make this happen and still have great entertainment Thursday and Saturday," Carpenter said.

"I really think this will be the most well-attended Nibroc concert by far," he said.

He is continuing to finalize the lineup for Thursday and Saturday and said he will have announcements on those acts in the near future.

More information is available online at http://www.corbinky.org/nibroc_home.cfm and on Nibroc’s Facebook or Twitter pages.