Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry and
The Bellamy Brothers set their sights for
B's on the River Rib Fest '24

FRIDAY & SATURDAY, JULY 12TH & 13TH, 2024

With almost 20 number-one hits between them, Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry and The Bellamy Brothers will perform at the 13th B's on the River Rib Fest Saturday, July 13, 2024 in Watertown, MN. 

 

"We've been Montgomery Gentry fans since the beginning," said B's on the River owner Bryan Baumann. "To be able to bring Eddie Montgomery to Rib Fest with his high-energy show and all the hits is a real honor."

 

"The Bellamy Brothers are another of those groups that people have requested us to try to get for years," Baumann continued. "We're grateful to finally be bringing them to Watertown." 

 

Local favorite, JustUs will open the main stage. Tickets and camping for Rib Fest 2024 went on sale Nov. 17 and are available now at https://www.bontheriver.com/rib-fest/rib-fest-tickets or by calling (952) 955-2223. 

 
In addition to the live music, Rib Fest will also include the famous backyard BBQ rib contest and rib tasting, along with the ever-popular all-you-can-eat chicken and rib dinner, again featuring St. Louis-style ribs. Cash bingo - which became a fast-favorite in 2023 - is also set to return in 2024. 

 
Festivities begin Saturday at 2 p.m., and the day's schedule will also include children's activities (free with paid admission to the event) and more. B's on the River's food wagon, featuring mini donuts, cheese curds and additional offerings will also be available. The night's entertainment will be capped off by a special fireworks display.

 

Kicking the weekend off Friday, July 12 is the BOB 106 FM pre-Rib Fest Party. There is no cover for the live music or to attend the Friday night festivities. Hitchville will be preforming Friday night. The night will also feature the ever-popular pork chop dinner, the Rib Fest beanbag tournament, plus prizes and last-minute Rib Fest ticket giveaways. Baumann also encourages fans to "Camp along the Crow," and make a weekend out of it by staying at B's on the River the entire weekend.

 

ABOUT THE ARTISTS:

About Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry

You might catch Eddie Montgomery taking a quick glance at an empty space beside him when he and The Wild Bunch take the stage to play the expected duet hits as well as tunes from his brand-new and mostly raucous solo debut “Ain’t No Closing Me Down.”

By tragic circumstance a solo artist, Eddie always feels the presence of Troy Gentry, his honky-tonking partner back to the days they played for beer or a chunk of flesh at a pig roast near their eastern Kentucky roots.

“I think he’ll have a blast with it, man,” said Eddie of his late partner. “I think he’s a part of it already. I’m sure he’ll be with me.”

The man who is always “with” Eddie on stage and immersed in the soul of his first solo album is his long-time partner, Troy Gentry, who died Sept. 8, 2017, in a helicopter crash that could have put a tragic end to Montgomery Gentry sound. Except Eddie made a promise that the MG sound would go on. Which, at its heart, is what this new album is all about.

Rowdily honed in honky-tonks and at parties in their Kentucky homeland, Montgomery Gentry rocked to stardom in 1999 with “Tattoos & Scars.” Over the next 18 years, the duo had 20-plus charted singles, collected CMA, ACM and Grammy nominations and awards with such unsubtle, blue-collar rallying cries as “Hell Yeah,” “My Town,” and the irrepressible “Hillbilly Shoes.”

Their number one hits included “If You Ever Stop Loving Me,” “Something to be Proud Of,” “Lucky Man,” “Back When I Knew It All” and “Roll With Me.” Grand Ole Opry members since 2009, MG also belong to the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame, where they join the likes of Bill Monroe, Tom T. Hall, Skeeter Davis, Lionel Hampton and Eddie’s brother, John Michael Montgomery.

“I’m happy where I’m at,” Eddie said. And part of the reason for that happiness is that he always has his best friend to lean on. “Troy is always with me. He helped me write this album with my heart and soul.” 

 

Eddie continues describing how this new album was birthed after he knew it was time to go on as the M without the G. “I was just wanting to wait until it felt right for me, and when it come to me in my heart, with Troy and myself. Ain’t a day goes by that I don’t think of him. We made a promise, a deal, way back when. It was over Jim Beam. It was if one of us goes down, we want Montgomery Gentry to go on. Keep the music going. We were a honky-tonk band, and he’s with me, and he’s always going to be.” 

 

It's a brotherhood that remains in his solo billing: “It’s always going to be ‘Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry.’”

Even though he was fulfilling a promise to Troy, Eddie took a year off after the accident to ponder how and if he’d carry on. The COVID pandemic gave him an extra year-and-a-half. With the help of some of Nashville’s best honky-tonk-flavored writers, he has fashioned an album that is both a tribute to the past and a rowdy reach into the future, including his latest single "Thank A Beer Drinker." 

“I like writing about everyday life," Eddie said. "The good, the bad, the ugly, and the party on the weekend. We know life has got a bunch of ups and downs. Stuff’s gonna happen, or you can keep your ass up on the porch. ‘Me and T Roy, we always lived life. You live life and make sure you do, ’cause it won’t be here tomorrow.”

About The Bellamy Brothers

Howard and David Bellamy continue to prove that the trail they’ve ridden to fame has been as unique as their music itself—music that is now celebrating over 40 years of success.

The road that started on the pop music charts in the ‘70s took a winding turn into country music in the ‘80s, paving the way for duos to come, such as Brooks & Dunn, Montgomery Gentry, Big & Rich and The Judds. But before the road forked into country, the musical odyssey of brothers Bellamy started creatively smoldering in their home state of Florida, before exploding nationally amidst the '70s pop music culture of L.A.

 

The Bellamys officially lifted off the launch pad in 1976 when their single, “Let Your Love Flow,” became an instant smash in both the US and Europe. It stayed on the international charts long enough to build a huge international fan base for the hip young brothers that endures to this day. By the late ‘70s The Bellamys were emerging on the country charts with another bona fide smash. “If I Said You Had A Beautiful Body (Would You Hold It Against Me),” originally scrawled on a dinner napkin by David, rocketed them to the top of the country charts the way “Let Your Love Flow,” had done in the pop market just a few years earlier. It proved to be the first of a string of fourteen number-one singles in the US alone.

Success followed success: “Dancing Cowboys,” “Sugar Daddy,” “You Ain’t Just Whistlin’ Dixie,” “Lovers Live Longer,” “Do You Love As Good As You Look,” “Redneck Girl,” “For All The Wrong Reasons,” “I Love Her Mind,” “I Need More Of You,” “Old Hippie,” “Too Much Is Not Enough,” “Kids Of The Baby Boom,” “Reggae Cowboy” and “Crazy From The Heart," all have lined the corridors of the Bellamy’s musical history and their walls with platinum and gold.

 

These days when the subject turns to touring, The Bellamys are showing a new generation of country music how it’s done. Country superstar Blake Shelton has helped introduce a new era of fans to the hits of The Bellamy Brothers during his annual Friends And Heroes Tour. 

 

On the infrequent off days from the road, Howard and David head the bus back to their 150-acre family ranch in Darby, Florida just north of Tampa. A working ranch, the spread consists of Purebred Brahman Cattle and quarter horses. The Bellamys are opening up their lives to television audiences with their hit reality show “Honky Tonk Ranch.” Each episode of “Honky Tonk Ranch” enthralls viewers with the unpredictable misadventures of the Bellamys attempting to balance their globe-trotting touring schedule while also running their sprawling family ranch in south Florida. 

The Bellamy Brothers celebrated their 40th anniversary with the release of a two-CD collection, 40 years, an ambitious project containing 20 of their biggest hits and 20 brand-new songs. In 2019, the Bellamys released Over the Moon as well as their first book Let Your Love Flow – the Life and Times of The Bellamy Brothers. Their most recent project, Bucket List, debuted in July 2020 with “Rednecks (Lookin’ for Paychecks)."

About JustUs

BOB 106 Friday Night Pre-Rib Fest Party

Live Music / B's Pork Chop Dinner / Bean Bag Tournament

Pre-Rib Fest Featuring Hitchville

Friday, July 12th, 2024

Hitchville has quickly solidified themselves among the upper echelon of regional talent. Under the foundational leadership of dynamic lead vocalists Heidi Owens and Matthew Kneefe, the group’s trademark harmonies, down home personalities, and kinetic stage energy leads to an unforgettable live show in which the band works tirelessly to produce.

The group’s most recent, highly-anticipated sophomore album “Soundtrack to Life” is now available everywhere. It includes their first iHeartRadio number-one single “Even When It’s Bad It’s Good,” as well as their newly crowned second iHeartRadio number-one single “Love is the Road." This project has been 4 years in the making, with songs written by some of Nashville’s biggest hit-makers, along with the first song ever written and recorded by members of the band.  

They trekked to Nashville in 2012 to record their self-titled debut release which spawned their first hit single “Whoop It Up.” The song has since become an anthem that proves relevant to not just the summer months, as it garnered major market radio support year round. The group’s second single “Fly” hit radio soon afterwards, and can still be frequently heard (as well as “Whoop It Up”) in between innings at Minnesota Twins home games at Target Field in Minneapolis. Hitchville’s third single, “I’ll Be Right There,” penned by two-time Grammy winner Ben Glover, also received rave reviews once it hit the air, and remains a crowd favorite at their live shows.  

Over the past few years, fans have come to know to expect the unexpected at a Hitchville show. There’s really only one place where the beer is always cold, the people are always friendly, the music is always world class, and the energy is always palpable…they’d like to welcome everybody home…to Hitchville.
 

The Friday night pre-Rib Fest Party will also feature the ever-popular pork chop dinner plus prizes and ticket giveaways. Baumann also encourages fans to, "Camp along the Crow," and make a weekend out of it by staying at B's on the River the entire weekend.

RIB FEST 2024 SCHEDULE

Thursday

7pm                    Accepting Camping Units

Friday - No Cover Charge

12pm-Dusk        Accepting Camping Units

5:30pm               Bean Bag Registration (Can Preregister @ B's Prior to Event)

6pm                    Bean Bag Tournament Starts

6pm-Gone          Pork Chop Dinner

6:30-10:30pm    Hitchville

 

8am                    BBQ'rs Arrive / Accepting Camping Units

 

10am                  Cooker's Meeting

 

2pm                    Gates Open

 

2pm                    Food Truck Opens / Kids Events / Rib Tasting Kits on Sale –

DJ Chopper – “World’s Nuttiest DJ”  2pm-4:30pm, Face Painting, Bounce House

 

2:30pm               Cash Bingo (Under Tent; $1,000 Final Game) / Pull Tabs

 

2:30pm              Rib Contest Turn In

 

2:50pm              Pick-Up Rib Tasting Kits

 

3-4:30pm           Rib Tasting Begins

 

4:30pm              VIP Opens

 

4:30pm              Rib & Chicken Buffet Line Opens

$20 Adults      $15 Kids 9 & Under

 

5-6pm                 Take Out Rib and Chicken Dinner $20

 

5-7pm                VIP Buffet Line 

 

4:30-7pm            JustUs

 

7:30-9pm            The Bellamy Brothers 

 

9:30-11pm    Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry 

 

11pm             Fireworks

Additional Offerings at 2024 Rib Fest

Cash Bingo 

Features 10 rounds of bingo with 8 games with 75% cash payout, 1 game with 90% cash payout and final round is $1000 cash payout. Each round will also have featured prizes including VIP ticket upgrades, Meet and Greet tickets and more!


Pull Tabs

Both Friday & Saturday night the pull tab booth will be open with a variety of games available for play!


Kids DJ

"World's Nuttiest DJ" DJ Chopper will be playing by the Kid's Events from 2pm-4:30pm. Fun kid's games and an interactive experience for all to enjoy!


Friday Night Bean Bag Tournament

The Bean Bag Tournament will be Friday night. Preregistration is available at the bar any time. $25 per 2-person team.

Backyard BBQ Rib Contest

Our Backyard BBQ Rib Contest is a fun rib cooking contest (limited number of cooking spaces available). Cooks will prepare 10 full racks of ribs, all furnished by B's on the River. This is an opportunity for you to show your rib cooking skills off! The cooks furnish seasonings and sauce, along wth serving up their tasty ribs to guest tasters. Your ribs will be judged first by KCBS (Kansas City Barbeque Society) certified judges and then by our guest tasters.

2024 Ribfest Contest Entry Form

2024 Ribfest Contest Rules

*Notice of Change: Rib Contest Cookers may start cooking as soon as they receive their ribs. Ribs will be available starting at 7am Saturday.

General Pricing

VIP: Includes: Admission, private viewing area in front of the stage, private bar, All-You-Can-Eat BBQ Rib and Chicken Dinner, private seating area for dinner, 2 free drinks and private bathrooms. (*In response to guest requests, the VIP area at Rib Fest will NOT include seating in front of the stage. There will be stand up bars with assigned spots for each ticket holder. VIP ticket holders will have access to the exclusive VIP tent, which does include seating, in addition to the private viewing area in front of the stage*): $135

General Admission: In Advance: $40 At the Door: $50

All-You-Can-Eat BBQ Rib and Chicken Buffet: $20

Camping: 3 Nights (Thursday/ Friday/ Saturday): $140

Tickets will be available for purchase by clicking here or at B's on the River, 1455 County Road 27, Watertown, MN. General Admission tickets will be sold the day of Rib Fest.

 

Camping

Primitive camping (no electrical or water hook-ups) is available at B's on the River Rib Fest 2024. One sleeping unit (ie. camper or tent) and one vehicle per site is allowed. Campsites must be reserved by July 5th, 2024 and will not be available for purchase at the gate the day of the event. Fires and pets are not allowed.

Campers will be accepted after 7pm on Thursday, July 11th.

2024 Rib Fest Camping Rules

Hotel Accomodations

GrandStay Hotels

395 13th St S, Delano, MN

(763) 972-4303

 

AmeriVu Inn and Suites

550 Cherry Dr. Waconia, MN

(952) 442-8787

Cab Services

Christie Cab
(763) 913-4889

 

Thank You to all of the 2024 Rib Fest Sponsors!

Republic Services, Gallus Painting, MBE, Fobbe Electric, Bursch Brothers Sand & Gravel, Anchor Plastics, Vanderlinde Group Edge Reality, Fine-Line Foundations, Mikie's Landscaping, Stein Heating & Cooling, Hecksel Machine Shop, Class Act Outdoor Furnace, Kohl's Dairy, M & K Construction, K-Way Trucking, Rocket Crane, Davis Motorsports / Chevy, Delano Family Dental, Bauer Design Build, Showcase Lawncare, Berg Exteriors, All Season Sports, Lansing Indoor/Outdoor Services, Kevin Butcher Edina Reality, Matter Construction, Graham Moving, Elmer J. Peterson Company, and Performance Food Group

 

Disclaimers: B's on the River/Rib Fest is not responsible for lost or stolen tickets, personal injury, or loss, theft, or damage to personal property. By attending Rib Fest, you acknowledge and agree your photo may be used in future promotional materials, including but not limited to social media. B's on the River/Rib Fest has the right to inspect persons or parcels. Chairs, food, beverages or coolers may not be brought into the music area. Must be 21 or older to purchase or consume alcoholic beverages in any event area. Violators will be ejected. Please carry a picture ID with you at all times. No pets allowed. No audio or video recording of any kind is permitted. No refunds for anyone ejected for rule violations. Call for handicap accommodations. Rain or shine event. No refunds or exchanges. Artists subject to change without notice. Firearms are not permitted anywhere on B's on the River property.