The 19th annual Depot Days music festival is set to take place on September 23d and 24th, 2016 on historic Front Street in downtown Newport, Arkansas. The festival is a showcase of local, regional, and national talent paying tribute to the early history of Rock and Roll. Old U.S. Highway 67, which runs through the heart of Newport and Jackson County, was the home for dozens of roadhouses and nightclubs which hosted early shows by rock pioneers in the 1950’s and 60’s. Music legends such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, and Sonny Burgess all frequented the venues along the highway when Rock music was in its’ infancy. Festival goers from Europe, Australia, and all over the U.S. make annual pilgrimages to Front Street to catch a glimpse of living legends from the 50’s as well as younger generations of musicians who were inspired by the elders.
The festival has expanded this year to include a Friday night live Blues show under a tent which will be utilized for expanded children’s activities on Saturday.
