Tim McGraw annual summer fest in Start, LA. (Shreveport, Lafayette: 2009, casino)

[tbayle]

I have heard that Tim does a baseball game thing in Start every summer and raises money for the town. Anyone ever been to this? Have any details on it for 2009?

[SBCmetroguy]

I think it's called Swampstock, never been to it but I have heard it's awesome. It's always a huge deal for the Monroe area. I know last year's show was pushed back to this year due to the hurricanes, and I think it's actually in Rayville, though I don't know where Start is in relation to there.

Also, every year Tracy Lawrence has a similar event in his hometown of Foreman, AR, which is just north of Texarkana. He was actually born in Atlanta, TX, which is a few miles west of Texarkana but grew up in Foreman.

There has been a lot of musical talent from northern Louisiana, eastern Texas, and southern Arkansas. For example, Don Henley is from Gilmer, TX, which is basically just across the Texas/Louisiana border and he still has a place there. Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Hank Williams, Jr., Kix Brooks, and quite a few others are from Shreveport.

[tbayle]

I really want to go! I 've tried looking it up on the net, but see nothing for 2009. Is it usually a certain time of the year? Anyone know what tickets usually go for?

[hank0604]

Originally Posted by SBCmetroguy

I think it's called Swampstock, never been to it but I have heard it's awesome. It's always a huge deal for the Monroe area. I know last year's show was pushed back to this year due to the hurricanes, and I think it's actually in Rayville, though I don't know where Start is in relation to there.

Also, every year Tracy Lawrence has a similar event in his hometown of Foreman, AR, which is just north of Texarkana. He was actually born in Atlanta, TX, which is a few miles west of Texarkana but grew up in Foreman.

There has been a lot of musical talent from northern Louisiana, eastern Texas, and southern Arkansas. For example, Don Henley is from Gilmer, TX, which is basically just across the Texas/Louisiana border and he still has a place there. Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Hank Williams, Jr., Kix Brooks, and quite a few others are from Shreveport.

You forgot Trace Adkins from Sarepta. Though I'm not sure they claim him after "Honky-Tonk Badonkadonk"...

[SBCmetroguy]

Originally Posted by hank0604

You forgot Trace Adkins from Sarepta. Though I'm not sure they claim him after "Honky-Tonk Badonkadonk"...

Yes, Trace Adkins! You're right, I did forget him. I noticed he even has Plain Dealing and Sarepta in some of his music videos.

[SBCmetroguy]

Originally Posted by tbayle

I have heard that Tim does a baseball game thing in Start every summer and raises money for the town. Anyone ever been to this? Have any details on it for 2009?

By the way, I am VERY bad about skimming over posts and missing major details. You said "baseball game". I'm not sure if that's part of Swampstock, but I believe they must be related. Sorry, not sure how reliable my info is. Google Swampstock though, I bet you'll find a lot of info.

[SBCmetroguy]

Originally Posted by tbayle

I really want to go! I 've tried looking it up on the net, but see nothing for 2009. Is it usually a certain time of the year? Anyone know what tickets usually go for?

Oh my goodness... I did it again. I skimmed your post and missed the major points. You looked it up but found nothing for '09, so my advice to Google it was just dumb.

I bet since it's later in the year, like late Summer or early Fall, they may not have a date set until the Summer.

By the way, be sure to keep your eyes on Lafayette's Cajun Dome and Bossier City's CenturyTel Center. There's not much in the way of touring acts in the area you're in, but since you're just down the interstate from both these cities, you can usually catch the big names at any given time. Shreveport-Bossier is also a good place to catch major comedy acts at the Funny Bone and at the Horseshoe Casino. For instance, Ron White is coming back to the Horseshoe soon and Cheech & Chong were just there a month or two ago. Cedric the Entertainer will be at the Funny Bone next week. The Funny Bone also has a sports bar and a small bowling alley inside it.

I'm giving you these options so you know that just because you can't find something going on in the town you live in, you're not far from two cities that offer quite a bit. In fact, next month I'm going to see Nickelback at CenturyTel center and later this month I'm going to see the Bob and Tom radio show's Comedy All-Stars tour. And New Kids on the Block will be here next Tuesday at CenturyTel Center. Yes, they're touring again if you didn't know.

A good way to see what major music acts are going to be in any city nationwide is Pollstar -- The Concert Hotwire. Put in Louisiana cities and see what's planned ... I'd assume Tim McGraw's Swampstock will eventually be added to the list for the Monroe area as well. Bossier City's listing on Pollstar is always packed full of well-known acts. Right now, the big names in Bossier City's listing are: Ron White, Better Than Ezra, New Kids on the Block, Styx, Nickelback, Disturbed, 311, Loretta Lynn, Bonnie Raitt, Shooter Jennings (Waylon's son), Merle Haggard, Aaron Tippin, Kenny Chesney (with Lady Antebellum and Miranda Lambert), Taylor Swift (with Kellie Pickler), Cross Canadian Ragweed, and Steve Harvey. I remember not many years ago when Bossier City and Shreveport basically had no major entertainment going on... I am more than pleased with the entertainment we get these days. And by the way, the Better Than Ezra and Cross Canadian Ragweed shows are FREE. All concerts at Harrah's Louisiana Downs are always FREE. Got to love that!

[mudbugs]

Yes its called Swampstock. Start is just right outside of Rayville. Maybe 5 miles.
Swampstock is held in Rayville. Me and some of my family went to it a few years back and I can promise we'll NEVER go back.
They had the baseball game first then after that its the concert.
Tim could'nt even sing to messed up on the cold beer for the game! and Faith was'nt any better. If it was'nt for Gary Allen they would'nt have had a show!
I bought a Tim shirt and end'ed up throwing it in the trash can there.
As for the weather its HOT and STICKY!
They broke me, I'll never go to anything they have...