”We had to make a decision, and since we didn’t have any good information from the state, we felt this was the best route to go for right now,” said Adam Helms, director of resident Services, City of Hamilton.
He said several factors went into the decision, including The Revivalists’ tour schedule and that RiversEdge, a live music venue, faced uncertainty about how it might operate this summer. It was announced this week the venue will open on July 4 for its first show with spaced seating.
In 2015, Shaw worked with city officials to establish David Shaw’s Big River Get Down as an annual event to help give back to his hometown of Hamilton. Proceeds from the event have been donated to Hamilton’s 4th of July fireworks and RiversEdge Amphitheater to provide free concerts at the venue each summer.
“Honestly, the Big River Get Down and The Revivalists are what put RiversEdge on the music map as a destination,” Helms said, “…Big River Get Down, David Shaw, The Revivalists and The Revivalists management and their agents have done a lot to help Hamilton and RiversEdge as a music venue.”
Traditionally, Shaw has served as Hamilton’s mayor for a day on the day of the festival. In honor of Shaw and his band, the City has been nicknamed Jam!lton on that day.
Headlined by The Revivalists, the 2019 Big River Get Down line-up also featured Chris Gelbuda, Neal Francis, Southern Avenue, Brent Cobb, and The War And Treaty.
The 2019 event marked the fifth year for the annual Big River Get Down and the eighth consecutive year that The Revivalists have performed at RiversEdge. Shaw graduated from Hamilton High School in 2001. He currently resides in New Orleans.
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