July 4 Freedom Fest with Jerry Jeff Walker, Pickler

ROUND ROCK, TX - The Round Rock Express announced the musical line up for the Waterstone Development Round Rock Express Freedom Fest presented by WIN, July 4th at The Dell Diamond. Freedom Fest will begin at 6:00 p.m. with sample performances by four emerging Texas artist as part of the Publik Musik Project presented by Time Warner Cable and the Saxon Pub. 

At 8:00 pm, CMA New Artist of The Year Nominee, Kellie Pickler will take the stage. Pickler has been on tour for the last two months with Taylor Swift.  Their duet and music video "The Best Days of Your Life" continues to remain near the top CMT charts. Pickler performance will be followed by a Fireworks show at 9:15.  Then the legendary Jerry Jeff Walker will take the stage in the final performance of Freedom Fest.  Jerry Jeff has recorded 30 albums, played for five presidents and has inspired artist including Garth Brooks, Jimmy Buffet and Pat Green.

The evening will begin with Ariel Abshire, a 17-year-old singer-songwriter from Austin. Abshire was voted as one of the Top Female vocalist by the 2009 Austin Chronicle's Reader's Poll. Austin music critic Margaret Moser has compared Abshire's voice to Brenda Lee and Lou Ann Barton. She has recorded sound tracks in films by Robert Rodriguez and Trevor Romain. The Boston Globe review of Abshire's new debut album said, "The title track is so good it's worrisome."

Stacy Barnhill from Marble Falls will follow Abshire's performance. Barnhill music has been described as "where Southern rock meets Texas Country." His debut album, "Join the Circus," was heavily influenced by the unique sounds of Steve Earle, Reckless Kelly and the Black Crows.

One of Austin most popular bands, Uncle Lucius, will bring their Southern rock and soul performance to the Dell Diamond. According to the Austin Chronicle's Jim Caligiuri, "2009 was a slow year until Uncle Lucius came along."  The Texas quartet's performances have been compared to the Black Crowes. "Southern rock's been twisting in the wind for ages now, but Austin's Uncle Lucius brings us back to its hey day and makes it feel good all over again," added Caligiuri.

The Paula Nelson Band will perform following Uncle Lucius.  Willie Nelson's daughter began playing the piano at age 7 and has a voice that Texas Monthly has called "torchy." The Los Angeles Times praised Nelson and her band, saying "There's no missing the unforced power of Paula' singing."

The concert benefits the Children of Fallen Soldiers Organization (COFS), a non-profit and non-partisan organization founded by The Rotary Club of Round Rock. This organization was formed to finance the college education for children of soldiers killed in the Global War On Terror.  So far, 15 children who lost a parent in the line of duty have been identified.  All these soldiers were from Ft. Hood and their families still reside in the area.  The goal of COFS is to provide each child with a $25,000 grant when he or she turns 18.

"This is a great way to showcase some of Texas emerging artist on a big stage," said Joe Ables owner of Austin's Legendary Saxon Pub. "We are excited to bring a slice of great Texas talent to Round Rock."

You can learn more about the COFS at www.childrenoffallensoldiers.com. Waterstone Development, Time Warner Cable, KASE, KVET, Budweiser, St. David's Round Rock Medical Center and Nyle Maxwell GMC are proud to sponsor this year's event. Tickets will are on sale through the Round Rock Express box office. Tickets will be $19.50 for General Admission and $29.50 - $39.50 Reserved. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling (512) 255-2255. Children 12 and under are free in General Admission area with the purchase of each Adult General Admission ticket.