2004 Big Spring Jam Explodes in Huntsville

One of the benefits and privileges of living in Huntsville comes along every September when it's time for Big Spring Jam. Huntsville, Alabama's Big Spring Jam is one of the largest music festivals in the Southeastern United States. It is recognized by the Southeastern Tourism Association as one of the Top Ten September events in the Southeast. Since its debut in 1993, Big Spring Jam has donated almost half a million dollars to area charities, health and human services agencies and arts and entertainment organizations. Held annually in downtown Huntsville's Big Spring International Park, the Jam is a major project of the not-for-profit Huntsville Heritage Foundation. Hundreds of volunteers run the event each year with recruiting and support provided by the Volunteer Center of Madison County.

Entertainment for 2004 Big Spring Jam

Some of the hottest and most resilient music acts spanning the past four decades highlight this year's 12^thanniversary of the Big Spring Jam Music Festival in Huntsville. Major artists committed to appear include country superstar Wynonna, alternative rockers Switchfoot and Live, contemporary-folk turned techno-pop queen Jewel, Southern rock legend Lynyrd Skynyrd and P-Funk architect George Clinton with his groups Parliament and Funkadelic. The festival, to be held in Big Spring International Park in downtown Huntsville on Friday, September 24th through Sunday, September 26th, will feature more than 100 acts.

Performers include 70's pop queen Olivia Newton-John, country artists Diamond Rio, Blake Shelton, Tracy Byrd, Restless Heart and Tanya Tucker and alternative rockers Collective Soul and Tantric. Soul and funk offerings include the Commodores and Morris Day and the Time. Classic rock enthusiasts will relish the return of .38 Special and performances by past chart toppers that include Gary Puckett and the Union Gap, Three Dog Night and The Turtles.

Contemporary Christian music continues to explode in popularity throughout the world and representatives at this year's Jam include the Newsboys, OC Supertones, and Todd Agnew.

National children's entertainer, singer & songwriter Shana Banana will perform 2 shows at The Big Spring Jam on Saturday, September 25, 2004. Show times are: 2:30pm and 4:00pm on the Knology stage. With assistance from her puppet friends Hal & Henson, Shana Banana's live show is a melodic storytelling journey into a fantasy world where education is fun and every child is special. Her original repertoire includes "Toothbrush Rock," "I Want to Be a Dinosaur," "If I Ate My House,"and many more delightful, educational and silly songs.

The 2004 Jam will get its international flavor from the classic reggae act The Wailers and several popular regional zydeco, blues and country rock bands will also perform.

Changes Due to Construction

The layout of the festival will change this year due to the ongoing construction of a new downtown hotel and related infrastructure around the Von Braun Center and Big Spring International Park. Maps and signage will be available to assist festival attendees in finding stages and music of choice. Note that the Huntsville Museum of Art will be closed during Big Spring Jam.

5K and Fun Run at Big Spring Jam

The City of Huntsville Recreation and Landscape Management Department will present 5K and Fun Runs to celebrate the 12^thanniversary of the Big Spring Jam music festival. The runs and festival will be held in and around Big Spring International Park in downtown Huntsville.

The 5K (3.1 mile) run begins at 8:00am on Saturday the 25^thand is a competitive event encouraging runners, joggers and walkers to commemorate the music festival. A Fun Run targeted to families begins immediately following the 5K. The first 500 pre-registered 5K runners receive a one-day pass to the Jam.

Tickets
Advance tickets are $35 for a 3-day pass ($40 day-of-show). Individual day passes are available at the gate day-of-show and are $20. Tickets are available at the VBC box office, all Ticket Master outlets, by calling 800-277-1700 or through Ticketmaster.com

Big Spring Jam--September 24-26--Big Spring Park

Friday: Gates open 5:30 p.m.
Saturday: Gates open 1:30 p.m.
Sunday: Gates open 1: 30 p.m.

More Information on Next Page

2005 Big Spring Jam Schedule
2007 Big Spring Jam Performers
2006 Big Spring Jam Photosl 2005 Big Spring Jam Photosl 2004 Big Spring Jam Photosl More Huntsville Articles l Huntsville Newsletterl Huntsville Events