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Get ready to rock, Louisville. The Kentucky Derby Festival‘s 2020 Waterfront Jam lineup features a blues-rock group, a country great, a Christian-rock quartet and more.
But it’s the group of hometown rockers that might grab your attention the most. And performing during the free 2020 Waterfront Jam is just another feather in the cap of a whirlwind couple of months for Louisville’s White Reaper.
Members of the band were enjoying an afternoon at Disney World when they got word that legendary rock band Pearl Jam was inviting the five bandmates — Tony Esposito (guitar/vocals), Ryan Hater (keyboards), Hunter Thompson (guitar), Nick Wilkerson (drums) and Sam Wilkerson (bass) — to join its 2020 summer tour.
“We were waiting in line to take a bus from the Magic Kingdom to Hollywood Studios when we got the text,” said Hater. “We were all like, ‘this is crazy.’ I mean we were already having a great day. That news made it incredible.”
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Performing headline shows and supporting some of their idols like The Killers, Spoon, and Weezer is nothing new for the four friends from Kentucky and Thompson, the lone Texan in the group.
In fact, last summer if you were at the Forecastle Festival Friday night, you’ll remember The Killers frontman, Brandon Flowers, appeared to randomly call a couple of people out of the crowd to join the band on stage.
The two people happened to be White Reaper’s Sam and Nick Wilkerson and perhaps the situation wasn’t as random as those of us in the crowd may have wanted to believe.
“We had been on the road performing with The Killers for a week before Forecastle so no, it wasn’t totally random,” said Hater. “But it was great, wasn’t it?”
It was great.
And when the Louisville brothers took over the bass guitar and drums during “For Reasons Unknown” off The Killers 2006 album “Sam’s Town,” the Forecastle crowd went berserk.
Now on tour promoting its third and most recent album, “You Deserve Love,” White Reaper will wrap up its multi-city jaunt in Lexington March 28.
“It’s been amazing, the best tour we’ve been on,” Hater said. “Everywhere we’ve played the crowds have been so much fun. We’re having a blast.”
After a bit of rest, the Kentucky band will join up with Pearl Jam on tour in Europe this summer. Sadly, the tour will not make a stop in Louisville but that doesn’t mean fans of White Reaper are out of luck.
The guys are scheduled to perform during The Kentucky Derby Festival’s 2020 Waterfront Jam and the price of admission is so cheap there is absolutely no reason Waterfront Park won’t be packed with old and new fans.
“There is nothing as much fun as Derby-time in Louisville and Waterfront Park is the best place to see a live outdoor show,” Hater said. “It’s going to be great to be back in our hometown and we are hoping everyone comes out, it will be amazing.”
The Kentucky Derby Festival’s Waterfront Jam kicks off Thursday, April 23 and admission to all shows is free with a 2020 Pegasus Pin. VIP tickets are available to select shows for $25 and go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. at KDF.org.
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The concert series, part of Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville, includes more than two dozen local and regional bands and five national concerts on two stages, including the Miller Lite Music Stage, where daily live local and regional music acts will perform. Here’s who you can expect to see there:
- April 23: Back2Mac
- April 24: The Rumors
- April 25: Dustin Collins
- April 26: Joslyn & The Sweet Compression
- April 27: Soul Circus
- April 28: Juice Box Heroes
- April 29: J.D. Shelburne
- April 30: The Velcro Pygmies
- May 1: Throwback Thursday
Here’s what else you need to know about the 2020 Kentucky Derby Festival Waterfront Jam event:
- The multiday event begins Thursday, April 23, for a nine-day run ending on Derby Eve, Friday, May 1.
- Hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, except Sunday, which is noon to 10 p.m.
- Admission is free with a 2020 Pegasus Pin. Kroger is the title sponsor of the event and The Courier Journal is the media sponsor.
Here’s the full 2020 Waterfront Jam concert lineup:
Michael Ray
What: Country singer-songwriter Michael Ray had two number ones from his 2015 self-titled debut album, “Kiss You in the Morning” and “Think a Little Less.” His sophomore album, Amos, includes the Top 20 country single “Get to You” and the recently released “Her World or Mine.”
When: Friday, April 24 at 9 p.m.
Foghat
What: Specializing in simple, hard-rocking blues-rock, the group that started in the 70s, recently released “Under the Influence,” an eclectic blend of rock and blues with a little funk and R&B on the side for good measure. The band is also known for its best-selling albums in the mid-’70s with hits “Slow Ride,” “I Just Want to Make Love to You” and “Third Time Luck.”
When: Saturday, April 25 at 9 p.m.
7eventh Time Down at Celebration Sunday
What: A hard-hitting Christian rock quartet based out of Mount Vernon, Kentucky, 7eventh Time Down made its debut in 2011 with “Alive in You.” The quartet has cracked the Top 20 on both the Billboard Heatseekers and Christian Album charts with multiple hits. Love & The Outcome, Rhett Walker, and Stillman will open the show.
When: Sunday, April 26, at 5 p.m.
The Crashers
What: Hailing from Louisville, The Crashers are known as one of the nation’s best party bands. Members of The Crashers have been certified as gold and platinum-selling artists. They’ve also toured all over the world, sharing the stage with world-famous artists such as Blake Shelton, Kid Rock, Aerosmith and Luke Bryan.
When: Monday, April 27, at 7 p.m.
Digital Underground with Rob Base
What: A multiplatinum American Hip-hop group best known “Humpty Dance,” “Same Song,” “Kiss U back” and “Doowutchalike.” Hip-hop and Freestyle artist Rob Base has been performing for 30 years with hits “It Takse Two, “Get on the Dance Floor” and “Joy and Pain.”
When: Tuesday, April 28, at 8 p.m.
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Tony and the Tan Lines
What: The band captures the smooth soul of the 70s and the hot Miami sound from the early 80s, they bring the celebration wherever they pull into port.
When: Wednesday, April 29, at 8 p.m.
White Reaper with Special Guest Boa
What: Currently on tour with its third album, “You Deserve Love,” White Reaper is an American rock band based in Louisville. This summer they’ll head out on a European tour with Pearl Jam.
When: Thursday, April 30, at 8 p.m.
Derby Eve Concert
What: TBA
When: Friday, May 1 at 9 p.m.
Reach Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com or Twitter @kirbylouisville. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: courier-journal.com/kirbya.
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