BayFest adds country stars to lineup

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - BayFest adds some country flair to its 2012 lineup.  Luke Bryan, Chris Cagle, Jerrod Nieman and Elley Duhe will play the AT&T/Southern Ford Dealers stage on Sunday.

One of Mobile's own rising starts will take the stage first on Sunday. Elley Duhe is 19 years old and holds her own with only a drummer, her father, backing her. Duhe’s sound is a unique blend of Southern, Rock, R&B, Folk, Rap and Hip-Hop. Her ability to do it all earned her spots opening for acts like Sister Hazel, The Benjy Davis Project, Emily Osment of Hannah Montana and Lifehouse. Duhe is currently collaborating with national artists to complete her debut album to release sometime this year.

Luke Bryan burst into the country music scene in 2007, when his unique blend of down-home accessibility, good looks and relatable lyrics shot him straight to superstardom. Since his debut, he has released three albums, including his 2011 album, Tailgates & Tanlines. The album debuted at #1 on the country chart and #2 on the pop charts, making it the second-highest debut for a country artist at that time. The album since sold more than 500,000 copies and is certified gold. Bryan has also produced many well-known singles including “Do I,” “Country Girl (Shake It For Me),” “I Don’t Want This Night To End,” “Rain Is A Good Thing” and “Someone Else Calling You Baby.”
 
Bryan received the award for Male Video of the Year at the 2012 CMT Music Awards for “I Don’t Want This Night To End.” He was also named 2011 Male Artist of the Year at the American Country Awards.
 
Fellow country music star Chris Cagle will also perform at Bayfest Sunday afternoon. Cagle began his career as a songwriter for David Kersh until 2000, when he made his solo debut with the album “My Love Goes On and On.”  He has since released hit songs like “I Breathe In, I Breathe Out,” “Chicks Dig It” and “Miss Me Baby.”
 
In 2008, Cagle stepped away from the music scene, but he returned in 2012 with the aptly-named “Back In The Saddle.” During his time off, he built a house and started a family. The hiatus gave him a fresh perspective on his life and his music. “I want my music to be an environment, to strike chords, passions, memories, faults, loves, angers and redemptions,” Cagle says. “Imagine my music just on the outside of town right where the road turns to the rural route. A dirt road cul-de-sac with trucks all parked in a circle—I would love to see my music fit into that.” Although he embraces his new outlook on life, Cagle assures fans he is still the same singer they loved and listened to for years.
 
Jerrod Niemann also takes the stage on Sunday of BayFest 2012. With the release of his debut album “Judge Jerrod & The Hung Jury” in 2010, Niemann struck success. His critically-acclaimed album features the No. 1 smash and platinum-selling hit “Lover, Lover,” Top 5 ballad “What Do You Want,” and the latest Top 15 barroom anthem “One More Drinkin’ Song.” His attention-grabbing lyrics, upbeat cuts and witty wordplay create a progressive style and sound. Niemann dedicates himself to quality and authenticity in his songwriting, drawing from his personal experiences while seeking to create songs that stand out. As he is out touring the country, Niemann is also promoting his newly released radio single, “Shinin’ On Me.”

The 2012 BayFest Music Festival will be held in downtown Mobile, Ala., on October 5-7.  Weekend passes are only $45 and are on sale now at www.bayfest.com . Children ages 12 and under are admitted free with a ticketed adult. Those who purchase tickets by September 1 will be automatically entered to win a meet and greet with an artist of their choice. Some rules apply.