“I feel like there is an uprising of positive energy (in Hamilton),” he said. “I’m definitely not saying I’m the only person that’s providing that, because it takes a village to make a change for the better in a city. I’m just doing my part to try to help the place that I grew up in. They gave so much to me, and I’m here to give a little bit back, have some fun, and bring that positive energy to the city, because that’s what (encourages) change.”
Hamilton’s story of revitalization is well known locally, and in recent years it has received regional and national attention for itsefforts.
The Big River Get Down sold out in 2017 and is expected to do so again this year.
“I’ve seen such a remarkable change in the last three to four years, and I think that’s really a testament to the city manager, the mayor and Adam Helms, bringing all this music in with the summer concert series (at RiversEdge.) Music brings people together and that is how you get people engaged in the city,” Shaw said.
Shaw, who graduated from Hamilton High School in 2001, currently resides in New Orleans. As part of the festivities, he will serve as Hamilton’s mayor for a day on Sept. 8 just as he did during last year’s festival. Also, in honor of Shaw and his band, the city again will be nicknamed Jam!lton that day.
“To me, it means they are putting a tremendous amount of faith and trust in me as a person, and my vision. That alone means a ton … It’s saying, ‘I trust you. Let’s do this together and build something great.’ It’s an awesome affirmation,” Shaw said.
General admission tickets are available at www.bigrivergetdown.com and at the door the day of the festival, if available. Tickets are $35 in advance and $42 the day of the show.
The festival will kick off Friday with a sold-out solo acoustic performance by Shaw at the Fitton Center.
“This is a super special homecoming. There’s no better feeling than looking out in the crowd and seeing 100 kids that you went to elementary school, junior high and high school with. It’s crazy. During the show, so many great memories flash through my mind as I’m scanning the crowd. It’s so cool,” Shaw said.
The festival will conclude on Saturday night with an after party immediately following the concerts in the ballroom at the Courtyard by Marriott. The after party will feature Brandon “Taz” Niederaur and Andy Frasco & the U.N.
The after party is a separate ticketed event. Tickets are available on the festival’s website.
After performing at RiversEdge,The Revivalists will head to Colorado to headline a sold-out show at the famed Red Rocks Amphitheatre on Sept. 13.
MORE DETAILS
WHAT: David Shaw's Big River Get Down Presented by Miller Lite
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 8. Doors open at noon.
COST: General admission tickets are $35 in advance; $42 day of the show, if available.
MORE INFO: www.bigrivergetdown.com.
SET TIMES: The Revivalists (9 p.m.), Samantha Fish (7:15 p.m.), Andy Frasco & the U.N. (6 p.m.), Jennifer Hartswick & Nick Cassarino Duo (4:45 p.m.), Naughty Professor (3:30 p.m.), Brandon "Taz" Niederaur (2:15 p.m.) and Doc Robinson (1 p.m.)
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