Photos & Review By: Michael Bragg (MJBragg Photography)
Anderson, SC (August 30th & 31st, 2019) – I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate Labor Day weekend than being at Operation Music Fest. A two day event held at Denver Downs Farm in Anderson, SC showcased a 21 Band Salute to our troops with proceeds going to Task Force Resolute. With music being know as a universal language creating good times and uniting people together I’d say all was a success as the field was packed full of fans. Eager attendees entered the gates each day at 3pm to support the local openers before the headliners performed once the sun set. With the smell of food trucks in the air, cold drinks at the silo bar and plenty of shopping to be done at the various merch booths there was no lack of entertainment and things to do. The whole event seemed like a big family reunion as many bands caught up with other touring acts backstage and some even coming out front to speak with fans and watch as the other groups performed.
Day one was for the rock and roll lovers providing plenty of headbanging and horns in the air. Popular area favorites Scars Remain, Broken Testimony and Black River Rebels kicked off the days list of performances on the side stage with amps cranked to 11. Followed up by other notable support acts Shallowside, Silvertung and Michael Alexander all had fans singing along continuing to build the energy of the evening for the nights main acts. Saving Abel warmed things up for the main stage before Eric Boatwright of Shallowside sang the national anthem as skydivers brought the American Flag right into a field full of pride. Followed up by the Kentucky Headhunters giving us some classic rock infused country leading into Sebastian Bach giving us a bit of his “Monkey Business.” As day one came to a close Bret Michaels Band finished off the night making sure everyone had “Nothing But A Good Time.”
Day two was filled with country as local favorites 3&Twenty, Outshyne and Oak Wind entertained the early crowd. Derek Jones, Jamie Suttle and Rick Monroe mixed it up a little from acoustic to southern rock giving fans an array of originals mixed in with covers of some classic hit songs. The legendary Ronnie McDowell kicked things off for the main stage with a walk through history of his chart topping hits before Jamie Suttle delivered the evenings national anthem. Next up was Ashley McBryde who has been making a name for herself the last few years gaining a large following. Showcasing her new single “One Night Standards” Ashley have her “Trybe” members a show that want soon forget. Tyler Farr drove the crowd “Redneck Crazy” as he and his band primed the stage for the evenings headliner.
Former area resident and local university football player at Clemson Lee Brice took to the stage to party it up with the “Drinking Class” as he told of his former days in the area. A surprise during his set was a guest appearance by his brother Lewis Brice who performed his new single “Blessed.”
As the buses loaded up and rolled out, along with lines of cars, the weekends festival came to an end. Two day of music, American Pride and support for the troops who protect our freedom to do such things out in the middle of a farm…not a bad Labor Day weekend.
Day 1
Day 2
