5TH YEAR EVENT AUGUST 28-29

Robert Earl Keen, who will be featured on NPR’s Mountain Stage April 16-18 and Austin City Limits this summer, will headline the Roots Fest Main Stage on Saturday, August 28, and The Gourds, will headline the stage on Sunday, August 29.

Keene, a native of Austin, Texas will break from his tour with The Dave Mathews Band thissummer to perform in Missoula. Keen has an energy-packed, grisly vocal, alternative-country swing, down-home, storytelling show. He has previously appeared with Jimmy Buffett, Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, Toby Keith, Dierks Bentley, the Steve Miller Band and more. www.robertearlkeen.com

The Gourds, one of Missoula’s favorite honky-tonk bands also from Austin, Texas, will make their second appearance at Roots Fest this year, headlining the Main Stage on Sunday evening. Songwriters Kevin Russell and Jimmy Smith have given great praise to Missoula and look forward to returning with their red-neck, happy music. www.thegourds.com

Joining Keen on the Roots stage Saturday are two outstanding, out-of-state favorites: Louisiana native Amanda Shaw, featured at the New Orleans Jazz Festival this year, has been influence by Delta Blues, Zydeco, Jazz and traditional Louisiana roots. This red-headed, petite fiddler commands the attention of the audience with a poignant and rhythmic sound that only a Louisiana prodigy could deliver. www.amandashaw.com

The Infamous Stringdusters, a progressive acoustic band from Nashville, offers wide-ranging musical interests and distinctive playing styles. These six men won three awards at the International Bluegrass Music Association Awards in 2007: Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Emerging Artist of the Year. www.thestringdusters.com

Sol Driven Train, from Charleston, South Carolina, will make their Montana debut this year on Sunday. This Southern rock band has shared the stage with Michael Franti, Keller Williams, Arlo Guthrie and more. www.soldriventrain.com.

“For our 5th anniversary, we are going bigger than ever musically,” said Ellen Buchanan, co-chair of the Roots Festival. “Saturday will rock as usual with a great variety of music, from Cajun to Bluegrass and Robert Earl Keen will send everyone home singing ‘The road goes on forever and the party never ends.’ Don’t expect a mellow Sunday this year. With the Gourds closing out the festival, that party will just keep on going.”