If Riverbend's schedule is an economic indicator, the recession may be over.

        The Tristate's top outdoor venue already has 21 events; another half-dozen await confirmation. As many as 10 more could be added during the summer. Last year's season was a mere 27 shows.

        The concerts are big in more than numbers. Riverbend has the summer's two hottest festivals. MTV's top Dad, Ozzy Osbourne, leads “Ozzfest” on Aug. 15. The Warped Tour, which played Kentucky Speedway in 2001, comes to Riverbend on July 31.

        Rock is making a comeback, with shows by Creed, Incubus and the Goo Goo Dolls expected to join the Riverbend schedule.

        “I really think that we have a good variety of shows,” says Riverbend marketing director Morrella Raleigh. “We've got three country shows (Willie Nelson, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith), a great urban package with Usher, Nas, Faith Evans and Mr. Cheeks, the big festivals.

        Clear Channel Entertainment, which books Riverbend for its owner, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, has created the “Jamgrass” fest, featuring Yonder Mountain String Band, the Dark Star Orchestra and the David Grisman Quartet. In that jam-band vein, the Allman Brothers Band returns, co-headlining with former Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh and his band.

        Classic rock will be big, with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers and a unique “Non-Halen” tour by ex-Van Halen lead singers Sammy Hagar and David Lee Roth.

        Throw in Harry Connick Jr.'s big band, the MOR sounds of John Tesh and the return of Melissa Etheridge and Riverbend's schedule seems to touch all bases.

Riverbend schedule

        Riverbend has confirmed shows by Creed, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Sammy Hagar and David Lee Roth, Bad Company and Foreigner, Toby Keith. Dates are TBA. As many as 10 more concerts could be added during the summer.

        Riverbend's schedule, to date:

        May 16 — Alan Jackson, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, 8 p.m.; $45.25, $35.25 pavilion, $25.25 lawn; on sale now.

        May 25 — Harry Connick Jr., 8 p.m.; $60.25, $50.25 pavilion, $32.25 lawn; on sale now.

        June 7 — Usher with Nas, Faith Evans and Mr. Cheeks, 7 p.m.; $52.25, $42.25 pavilion, $26.25 lawn; on sale now.

        June 12 — Deep Purple and Scorpions; 6:30 p.m.; $45.25, $32.75 pavilion, 17.75 lawn ; on sale 5 p.m. April 26.

        June 18 — Jimmy Buffett & The Coral Reefer Band, 8 p.m. Sold out.

        June 24 — WEBN Lunatic Fringe Fest featuring Nickelback, Jerry Cantrell & Default; 3 p.m.; $32.75 pavilion, $25.25 lawn. Sale date TBA.

        June 25 — Poison with Cinderella, Winger and Faster Pussycat, 6 p.m.; $27.75 pavilion, $17.75 lawn; on sale 10 a.m. Saturday.

        July 3 — The Allman Brothers Band and Phil Lesh & Friends and the Derek Trucks Band; 5 p.m.; $50.25, $45.25 pavilion, $26.25 lawn; on sale 10 a.m. April 26.

        July 7 — Melissa Etheridge, 7:30 p.m.; $82.25, $79.50 pavilion, $34.75 lawn; on sale 10 a.m. May 18.

        July 15 — John Mellencamp; 8 p.m.; $70.25, $60.25 pavilion, $29.25 lawn; on sale now.

        July 24 — Willie Nelson and Lee Ann Womack, 8 p.m.; $47.25, $32.25 pavilion, $22.25 lawn; on sale 10 a.m. Saturday.

        July 29 — Lenny Kravitz and Pink; 7 p.m.; $62.25, $52.25 pavilion, $27.75 lawn; on sale noon April 27.

        July 31 — Warped Tour: Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Hot Water Music, Alkaline Trio, MXPX, Bad Religion, NOFX, New Found Glory and more; noon; $29.50 all tickets, on sale noon May 11.

        Aug. 3 — Jamgrass featuring Yonder Mountain String Band, David Grisman Quartet, Dark Star Orchestra, 1 p.m.; $32.25 pavilion, $22.25 lawn; on sale noon April 27.

        Aug. 4 — An evening with Rush, 7:30 p.m.; price TBA; on sale 10 a.m. May 18.

        Aug. 6 — Chicago, 8 p.m.; $43, $33 pavilion, $18 lawn; on sale noon June 1.

        Aug. 8 — Dave Matthews Band, 7 p.m., sold out.

        Aug. 15 — Ozzfest: Ozzy Osbourne, System of A Down, Rob Zombie and much more metal; 9:30 a.m.; $78.50, $63 pavilion, $42.50 lawn; on sale 10 a.m. April 27.

        Aug. 18 — B.B. King Blues Festival: B.B. King, George Thorogood and the Fabulous Thunderbirds, 6 p.m.; $45.25, $37.75 pavilion, $25.25 lawn; sale date TBA.

        Aug. 22 — John Tesh, 8 p.m.; $47.75, $40.25 pavilion, lawn TBA; on sale 10 a.m. May 11.

        Aug. 24 — Hall & Oates and Todd Rundgren, 8 p.m.; $37.75, $27.75 pavilion, $20.25 lawn; on sale 10 a.m. April 27.

        Tickets are sold at Ticketmaster outlets, phone 562-4949 and online at www.ticketmaster.com

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