By Larry Nager
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Tall Stacks isn't just tall, it's huge!
Everything about the world's largest riverboat festival is oversized: 17 boats, hundreds of cruises, thousands of volunteers, more than 70 regional musical performers, 30 national headliners.
Here's a look at three of the biggest Stacks acts: the King of the Blues, the Queen of Alternative Country and a trio of rising bluegrass stars.
B.B. King
Sunday, 6:30-8 p.m., P&G Pavilion
Ever since he arrived on the scene in the early '50s, Riley B. King has been the blues' most prominent superstar, eloquent spokesman and charismatic ambassador.
Today, at 78, he remains the King of the Blues, enjoying the biggest-selling album of his career, Riding With the King, his project with Eric Clapton.
Latest album: Reflections (MCA)
Emmylou Harris
Friday, 8:05-9:20 p.m., P&G Pavilion
Her achingly beautiful performance on the soundtrack of O Brother Where Art Thou? and the tour that followed, "Down From the Mountain," re-established Emmylou Harris as one of the leaders of the Americana movement and one of the truly great singers of traditional folk and country music.
But she has remained a musical innovator. Her band Spyboy creates a startling Afro-Appalachian fusion, melding New Orleans percussion with high-lonesome melodies.
She will be backed by longtime accompanist Buddy Miller on lead guitar and vocals (the multi-talented Miller also performs a solo set at P&G Pavilion from 4:45 to 6 p.m.).
Most recent album: Stumbling Into Grace (Nonesuch)
Nickel Creek
Friday, 9:45-11 p.m., P&G Pavilion
The new kids on the bluegrass block, Nickel Creek - mandolinist/ringleader Chris Thile, 21, (shown above) fiddler Sarah Hawkins, 20, her guitarist brother Sean Hawkins, 25 - blend elements of pop, rock, new age and bluegrass into a sound all their own.
Their fresh, youthful approach has helped make them the biggest act to emerge in bluegrass since Alison Krauss, as they bring an audience to the music that's even younger than they are.
Most recent album: This Side (Sugar Hill)
E-mail lnager@enquirer.com
TALL STACKS
Get down and rock the river
Busy workers set the stage
Shore Leave
Getting there, parking, etc.
'Tom Sawyer' plays familiar adventures
Lucinda Williams has made it
Goshorn Brothers ready to start music off right
Here's a big 'Prost' to pigs of ages past
The Children'S Theatre Party
Curtain rises on Tall Stacks
Donor rescues cruise for kids
IN THE TRISTATE
Secret health probes approved
Butler modifies business recruiting
Corrections officer pleads guilty in party with inmates
Boehner ex-aide pleads guilty
Cincinnati weighs child helmet law
Two sentenced in bar robbery
Norwood OKs heart hospital
No terror in local larcenies
Regional Report
Hyde Park art will be razed
St. Peter Claver overcomes snags
Anderson nabs grant for hike/bike trail
House speaker opposes slots plan
ENQUIRER COLUMNISTS
Bronson: Racial friction smolders in department
Crowley: Women's group endorses candidates who respond
Howard: Good Things Happening
BUTLER, WARREN, CLERMONT
Police target epidemic of bike thefts with ID effort
Lakota schools chief gets bonus
Monroe tightens money controls
OBITUARIES
Neal Connor, 75, was hoops coach, teacher
Sister Madeline Stubbers, 96, taught 50 years
Kentucky obituaries
OHIO
Sirens take on whistles
Ohio Moments
KENTUCKY
Lexington may rescind domestic partner benefits
Development hints of better times ahead
Breathitt dies, was governor
Baby-shaking suspect on trial
AARP wants cigarette-tax increase
Kentucky to do
Kentucky News Briefs
