A Battle of the Bands will again be featured at Rising Thunder, an outdoor country and Southern rock music festival happening Oct. 9, that’s part of the weekendlong St. Cloud Fall Festival Oct. 8-10 at The Ranch at St. Cloud, off of Jones Road.
Rising Thunder welcomes back Justin Lee Partin, the 2020 Rising Thunder Battle of the Bands champion. His win at last year’s concert in mid-March, set up as a precursor to Country Thunder, earned his band a spot in the lineup at that highly-anticipated show at Osceola Heritage Park two weeks later.
But that was right before COVID-19 took hold, put off all live events, and postponed Country Thunder for 18 months.
“We were supposed to play the new Country Thunder (three weeks ago), but two guys in the band got COVID, so that was disappointing,” Partin said from a current tour stop in Chicago. “After being away so long, we’ll never take playing live for granted. I reached a point that I’d play for free.”
Partin said during the quarantine, he got back to his true love, songwriting, and penned some 50 songs. Some of that new content is slated be in the play set at Rising Thunder, which he’s excited to be a part of again.
“I made a lot of close friends there last year, including Oak Lee (the runners-up), who we’re hoping to see,” Partin said. “It’s a great show that gets us back in Florida, and it’s helping a great cause.”
Partin will conclude Rising Thunder. Partin, out of Gainesville, is on the verge of releasing his second album after his successful debut, Redeye. The band’s sixth extendedplay cut should drop right around Rising Thunder, Partin said.
Battle of the Bands again kicks off this year’s event. Six bands from Tennessee, Georgia, Texas and Florida are lined up to entertain the crowd all day long while competing for a $2,000 top prize.
Tickets for Rising Thunder are $10 at the gate or purchase in advance at www.RisingThunderFL. com. All proceeds benefit the Education Foundation Osceola County, a nonprofit organization supporting education, teachers and students. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chair or blanket. No outside coolers, drinks or pets are permitted. Festival hours are Friday 4-10pm, Saturday 10am-10pm and Sunday 10am-4pm.
Rising Thunder has partnered with the City of St. Cloud’s Fall Festival. All weekend long attendees will enjoy fun fall family activities for the whole family, including food trucks, delicious refreshments and leisurely shopping … and that’s not mentioning the great music.
