LiveNation Puts Long-Running “Jamboree In The Hills” Festival on Hiatus
The future of one of country music’s longest-running, biggest, and most beloved festivals has once again been put into question by its current owners, LiveNation. The 41-year-old Jamboree in the Hills located in Morristown, Ohio has been put on hiatus by the company, sending many annual attendees into panic and shock, worried one of their region’s most important country music institutions might be going away.
“Jamboree in the Hills will be on hiatus for 2019 while we consider options regarding the future of the Belmont Country, OH festival site,” the organizers announced Wednesday (11-7) morning. “We will provide an update when more details are available. We are grateful for the community support since the festival’s inception.”
The news comes at a time of transition for the festival. Founder of the festival, Virginia Alderman, passed away at the age of 91 on July 27th, 2018. Alderman was involved with the festival all the way up to her death. The festival was held at the nearby Brush Run Park for its first 22 years after first being organized by Alderman, featuring Johnny Cash as the event’s first headliner. It’s been held in its current location ever since. But according to LiveNation, they’re exploring options to move the event that predates many of country music’s current megafestivals.
Known affectionately by attendees as the “Super Bowl of Country Music,” the 4-day mid July festival has been a mainstay to local and regional country fans and the local economy since 1977, and attracts nearly 100,000 attendees annually. Unlike many new festivals, Jamboree in the Hills has its own set of traditions, including the “Redneck Run” where fans run through the gates to get the best seats in the field every morning, camp out on site, and the festival even has its own theme song. Festival attendees say it’s not just about the music, but about the camaraderie in the campground, and many of the traditions the regular attendees uphold. Many families and music fans make attention the festival an annual tradition.
Live Nation has owned Jamboree in the Hills since 2005 when it was part of the deal when Live Nation split from Clear Channel. In 2015 they decided to implement massive changes, including not allowing campers to be able to bring their own coolers, food, or beverages on site. Organizers also attempted to change the name of the famed “Redneck Run” to the “Morning Run,” while other similar changes that have long-time Jamboree in the Hills attendees revolting en masse. After public pressure, LiveNation reverted back to the old rules, with some revisions.
Over the last few years, Jamboree in the Hills has also received more criticism over the direction of their lineups. What started out to be a mixture of traditional and contemporary country acts has leaned more towards the mainstream in recent years.
“There are 3 day country festivals all over the state and country. Jamboree in the Hills is only one of them,” attendee Lori Robb responded to the announcement. “Probably the longest running but the truth is they can imitate but will never duplicate. Fear not friends they can close it down and we may have to start over but I assure you we WILL start over. They can take her name they can change her location but they can never steal her spirit. They cannot control us or stop us from resurrecting her because. WE ARE JAMBOREE IN THE HILLS!”
Similar to after the 2015 rules revisions, there has been chatter about organizing a rival festival, or a replacement festival, but nothing has been finalized.
More information when it becomes available.
November 7, 2018 @ 11:16 am
I’m a recurring attendee of Jamboree. While this news is heartbreaking, it isn’t surprising. As you’ve touched on, Live Nation has been making changes over the years that has left a sour taste in all attendees’ mouths. JITH was so much more than its music. Yes, the line-ups in recent years were sub-par (few acts excluded), but we still held it to a HIGH standard. For goodness sake, some of the original performers were “Haggard, Wynette, and Johnny Cash,” as the song states. But the traditions- The Redneck Run, Funnel Fest, etc- are what we will miss most. This hiatus is nothing but a blatant lie. If (and that’s a big IF) it comes back, it won’t be what we’ve grown to love. I’m heartbroken this tradition has ended, but more so angry with how Live Nation has handled it.
November 7, 2018 @ 11:25 am
It went to the current venue a few miles away I believe it was 1990. If you can find internet pictures it was titled “the year of the mud” since unprecedented rain left no grass and standing water everywhere. Garth Brooks was on the bill that year as an up and comer. Heard the story many times in pouring rain he said “if you’re crazy enough to stand out there in this, then I’m crazy enough to play for you”
Brad paisley got his start here as a 12 year old. Been back a few times since. He’s considered a local as Glendale isn’t too far away.
Virginia has said the festival was going to start in 1976 but with the bi-centennial stuff pushed it off a year.
I can’t say enough good things about the place and will add more at another time.
Billboard rated this as the number two festival behind cma fest across the country. I can’t say enough good thing
This
November 7, 2018 @ 12:22 pm
Charlie,
Even though it’s been several years since I attended, this is such a disappointment. But we’re not surprised. The writing was on the wall for quite a while. But, oh the stories and memories we all have.
ps…Hiatus, my ass.
November 7, 2018 @ 5:13 pm
I have pictures from when my mother travelled to attend from Canada in 1979 and 1980.
November 7, 2018 @ 12:05 pm
Virginia only owned the property. The festival was organized by WWVA and Jamboree USA. She had NOTHING to do with the talent lineup which was put together by the radio station and Jamboree.
I HATE revisionist history.
November 7, 2018 @ 1:45 pm
Truthteller,
It was never said Virginia was the organizer of the festival, or that she had anything to do with the talent lineup. What was said was that she was involved with the festival. Providing the land where the festival was initially thrown is definitely “involvement.” Even if in later years her involvement was more symbolic, it was still involvement.
No disrespect was meant to anyone else involved in the festival as organizers who may have played a more significant role in the event over the years. Virginia just passed away, and it seemed like this was an important note to include in this story.
November 7, 2018 @ 1:53 pm
Better reread the article above. It clearly stated that she was the “organizer” of the event.
That is false.
November 7, 2018 @ 1:54 pm
Excuse me…”founder”…which is even worse.
November 7, 2018 @ 2:23 pm
Okay, Mr. random commenter on the internet hiding behind an alias, what word would YOU recommend I use to describe Virginia Alderman? Or are you just going to make us guess? Good Christ, the woman just died, seems to be very revered and appreciated among Jamboree in the Hills attendees, and I was just trying to show her some respect by mentioning her passing. According to the information from trusted news sources (https://wtov9.com/news/local/jamboree-in-the-hills-pioneer-virginia-alderman-has-died-at-91), as well as other individuals who I conversed with privately while composing this article, she was seminal to the formation of Jamboree in the Hills. If you feel that’s incorrect, then by all means, set us straight. But to get all bent out of shape seems spiteful, and just plain weird.
November 7, 2018 @ 12:30 pm
Thanks Live Nation for destroying something great.
Reminds me of a little start up fest in Cincinnati that was called the Buckle Up music fest. First years lineup was epic, Willie, Emmylou,Alison , Old Crow, Drive by Truckers. Then the promotor sold it to Promo West who booked bro country for the following year. It was a flop and couldn’t sell enough tickets to sustain itself and they pulled the plug on the whole thing.
Sadly, when you sell.a music fest to a heartless souless money hungry beast, it never ends well.
I support independent promoters.
November 7, 2018 @ 2:33 pm
Hiding behind an alias…says “Tigger”…
She owned the land that the original show was held on and then refused to sell the land to Jamboree and WHeeling broadcasting which offered to buy it.
Which is why they moved it in 1990. She didn’t think the show could survive outside of Brush Run Park. As they say in poker, you get caught bluffing you lose.
November 7, 2018 @ 3:18 pm
If you have anything to do with organizing this festival, I’m glad it’s gone.
November 7, 2018 @ 6:01 pm
You’re a real ray of sunshine, aren’t you.
November 7, 2018 @ 6:58 pm
Sorry if the truth hurts.
Not to mention her keeping 100% of the camping and parking along with the huge rental fee…
Again, sorry if the truth hurts, but it’s still the truth.
November 7, 2018 @ 7:49 pm
And the Truthteller declared the sweet old lady to be a greedy scumbag, and He saw that it was good. And then the Truthteller took one of the old witch’s ribs and shoved it up his ass as far as it would go until the firmament was separated and his g-spot was found for all the universe to enjoy.
November 7, 2018 @ 8:38 pm
You should write children’s books, if you don’t already.
November 7, 2018 @ 8:45 pm
????
November 7, 2018 @ 6:04 pm
So you want me to refer to the 91-year-old Virginia Alderman who passed away this July as a loser? I think I’ll keep the article as it is.
RIP Virginia.
–Kyle Coroneos
November 8, 2018 @ 11:35 am
I can remember in 1978 her standing near the entrance as we pulled in to camp to the right side of the Brush Run site. That was the preferred camping area. She was waving and this was such a unique experience. I treasure the memories this concert has and for me it was Country Music! May she RIP, my heart is broken even though health wise i have been unable to attend since 2006.
February 12, 2019 @ 5:03 pm
Hi, Ken! I am writing a story on the status of Jamboree in the Hills and was wondering if I could talk to you about your experiences of attending. Thank you so much!
February 12, 2019 @ 8:46 pm
Sure Emily I’d be more than happy to answer any questions you might have. Click my name
November 7, 2018 @ 7:43 pm
Hmmm, Truthteller reminds me of a certain someone I’ve grown very fond of. I think I found a new friend to play with.
November 9, 2018 @ 7:33 am
Trigger, I’d shut this thread about the festivsl down. These people are rabid. You can’t win when they are perfect and you are a mere mortal. Unbelievable. Save yourself from a frustration induced brain bleed .
(By the way, I’d give Pistol Annie higher than a 7.5, but i Do respect your opinion) . ????
November 7, 2018 @ 8:46 pm
Trigger is the one hiding behind an alias? His real name is well known to his readers. Next you’ll try to tell us that Mark Twain “hid behind an alias.”
November 7, 2018 @ 5:13 pm
LiveNation is canceling several outdoor fests including one in my town. Are they doing so because they aren’t profitable or trying the cull the number of fests down and drive audiences into a select few in strategic locations? Maybe an intrepid reporter can get them to discuss their fest strategy?
November 7, 2018 @ 8:15 pm
Biscuit, I was also thinking that! The problem with so many festivals is that there’s too much competition for the concertgoers dollars. I believe Live Nation wants to control the amount of festivals and will let some die on the vine to achieve control. The way to fight them is to only support their competitors and even better only support the small independents. Oh and Truthteller, quit being a douche. It’s possible to make a point and be polite. You come across as a bitter troll. Here’s a thought, you can win folks over to your side by being persuasive yet polite. Your argument is pretty much ” I’m right, yer wrong and you suck.” That’s a real winning argument.
February 12, 2019 @ 8:57 pm
Live Nation shut this Concert down because it was unique among concerts in that it allowed you to bring coolers filled with beer into the concert area. Along with some very relaxed other rules they had. They wanted to stop that and sell beer by their own vendors, the first year they tried which was 2017 the fans revolted and they already had the lineup set etc, so they kind of were forced to not go through with it. Last year they ran a very poor lineup which resulted in reduced ticket sales. That gave them the opening to kill it for now so they can bring it back they way they want.
November 7, 2018 @ 7:26 pm
Meanwhile they are pushing into the movie business, including the one recently reviewed on this site.
November 7, 2018 @ 8:47 pm
Live Nation is the devil. Ticketbastard is its rich sibling. Now that I got that off my chest. Think maybe the louder than life and bourbon and beyond mess is gonna raise the cost of insurance on these festivals too.
November 11, 2018 @ 11:11 pm
WTOV will have to find something else to fill the timeslot…more high school football/sports recap shows most likely.
WOVK…will continue to suck.