CAMBRIDGE − Woodsfield native Dustin Knowlton will be bringing big-name country artists to Guernsey County this summer for the inaugural Old Washington Music Festival.
Knowlton grew up in Monroe County and graduated from Monroe Central High School. He has always had an interest in country music. "Like so many others, I grew up going to the iconic Jamboree in the Hills." Jamboree in the Hills, otherwise known as Jambo, was the annual music festival held in Morristown in Belmont County for many years.
Jamboree in the Hills originated on July 16, 1977, at the Brush Run Park outside of Saint Clairsville and grew into the four-day music festival. It was known for showcasing a wide variety of country artists, from Toby Keith, Joe Diffie, and Gretchen Wilson to iconic legends such as Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson.
"After graduating high school, I got into the music business, and have since worked in the music business."
When he turned 18, he started working security at Jamboree. In his first year, he worked in crowd control and security. Knowlton recalls getting a call the following year asking him to return, but he stipulated he wanted to work backstage. He got his wish and worked backstage for two years, during which time he became good friends with the mobile catering staff from Center Stage Hospitality.
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That connection led him to a tour manager position with the catering crew for the 2015 Foreigner & Kid Rock Tour. He jumped at the chance and headed to Nashville. The position was his introduction to the world of being a music promoter.
When he returned from the tour, he started his company, Big Time Entertainment. "I've traveled abroad and all around the country promoting shows with various artists, including the Oak Ridge Boys, Ronnie Milsap, Travis Tritt, Justin Moore, Lee Brice...the list goes on and on. Tanya Tucker. But we have fun doing it and we love doing it and have a great little company," Knowlton said.
His first show was with the Bellamy Brothers at the Capitol Theater in Wheeling, West Virginia. He was 22 at the time. He noted that Aaron Tippin once told him he was the youngest independent music promoter in the country. "I don't know if that's true, but that's what Aaron Tippin tells me. That's kind of a little interesting fact."
After the cancellation of Jamboree in the Hills in 2018, the void of a summer country music festival was felt in the area. A Belmont County based family hosted the Blame My Roots Festival, but it has since transitioned to a smaller, one-night event.
This void is one Knowlton is hoping to fill this summer and for many more to come. The inaugural Old Washington Music Fest is scheduled to be held July 18-20, at the Guernsey County Fairgrounds. It will feature 15 acts, has limited on-site camping, and coolers are welcome. The fest will be open seating, so attendees can bring tarps and lawn chairs. There will be a pit-type area in front of the stage that will be standing room only; no coolers or chairs will be allowed.
A weekend pass is $200 and increases to $225 after July 14. On-site camping passes are available with a limited number offering 30 amp electric and water hookups for $125. The gates will open at 9 a.m. July 17 for campers, who will be directed to their sites on a first come-first serve basis. Attendees must have an event pass to gain entry, as a camping permit alone will not get you onto the grounds.
A pre-event kick off party for those who have purchased weekend passes will be held July 17, with Confederate Railroad.
To purchase tickets call 615-946-4697.
Event lineup
Thursday, July 18: Ray Scott at 5 p.m., Little Texas at 7 p.m. and Travis Tritt at 9 p.m.
Friday, July 19: Hoard & Jones at 1 p.m., Silver Stallion Highwayman Tribute at 3 p.m., War Hippies at 5 p.m., Marshall Tucker Band at 7 p.m. and Craig Morgan at 9 p.m.Saturday, July 20: LandRey from noon to 1 p.m., Jake Binegar at 1:30 p.m., Buddy Jewell at 3 p.m., Colin Stough at 4:30 p.m., Adam Doleac at 6 p.m., LANCO at 7:30 p.m. and Hunter Hayes at 9 p.m.
For more information about the festival, visit the Old Washington Music Fest Facebook page.
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