Chapel Hart will rock the stadium at Grand Slam Jam, Biloxi’s version of Jazz Fest

Biloxi Shuckers and Ground Zero Blues Club Biloxi are teaming up for the Grand Slam Jam day-long music festival starring Chapel Heart.

The festival runs from noon until 10 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5 at Keesler Federal Park in downtown Biloxi, and is a kick off to Cruisin’ The Coast car show that begins Oct. 6.

“We’re excited to collaborate with the Biloxi Shuckers for what we hope will be an annual celebration of downtown Biloxi’s revival,” said Ground Zero Blues Club co-owner Lee Young. “We hope this will become Biloxi’s version of Jazz Fest and Rock the South.”

Two stages will be set up for the event at first and third bases, and performances will alternate between stages.

The original plan for the Shuckers’ stadium was to host special events.

“We’re so excited to partner with Ground Zero and turn our ballpark into a music venue to kick off Cruisin’ the Coast,” Shuckers General Manager Hunter Reed said. “This is an incredible way to showcase our ballpark to music fans from across the country and fans can hear several outstanding acts.”

South Mississippi ‘s own Chapel Hart, a country trio from Poplarville, has played Ground Zero and toured the country and internationally since their appearance on America’s Got Talent in 2022. They wowed the audience — and the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville — with their hit song “You Can Have Him Jolene,” an answer to Dolly Parton’s “Jolene.”

Other country and blues acts appearing will be:

▪ Tab Benoit, of Houma, Louisiana, is a blues guitarist, musician, singer and two-time winner of the B.B. King Entertainer of the Year

▪ Tim Dugger is a Curb Records country music recording artist and Alabama native who recently appeared on stage at the Grand Ole Opry and is working on his debut album after becoming popular along the NASCAR circuit.

▪ Taj Farrant is a 15-year-old Australian prodigy as a guitarist whose presence has grown fast after being featured on the Ellen DeGeneres Show and Australia’s Got Talent and has shared the stage with world-class artists such as Carlos Santana and Rob Thomas.

▪ Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. is celebrated as one of New Orleans’ greatest entertainers. He continues the Zydeco tradition forged by his father (accordionist Rockin’ Dopsie) and his legendary band, The Twisters. He’s played with Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, Beyoncé and others, and was featured in the 2024 film, “Roadhouse,”

▪ Bonerama is a brass funk rock band from New Orleans that takes the best elements of rock, soul, fusion, pop, jazz, funk, brass, gospel and blues to forge its unique sound.

▪ Leilani Kilgore is a Nashville transplant from the West Coast and plays hard-hitting rock with a touch of blues

▪ Amanda Shaw is an American Cajun fiddler and singer from Mandeville, Louisiana. She released her first album, Little Black Dog, in 2001 at the age of 11. Five albums later, she regularly performs around New Orleans with her band, The Cute Guys.

Tickets begin at $65 for the festival, and are available at Ticketmaster or at the Biloxi Shuckers Box Office at the stadium at the corner of Caillavet Street and Howard Avenue in Biloxi.

Discounts are given for military, first responders, seniors and kids. Children 12 and under get in free but must go to the Shuckers Box Office prior to entry.

Seating is general admission in sections 100-112 between first base and third base at the ballpark, with the option for standing-room space on the field in front of the stages on the first and third-base sides. Floor Tickets on the field begin at $80.

Premium experience tickets are $150 in the Kloud7 Skybox, which includes indoor/outdoor access along with food and beverages throughout the day.

The Corona Premier Tiki Bar will be open along with Schooner’s Splash Zone for the kids.

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