Directors for the 29th annual Portfest “Rollin’ on the River” Festival have announced that Blues Traveler will replace Joan Jett and the Blackhearts on Friday, June 4. According to Paradise Artists, Inc. Agent Mark Hyman, Jett is currently doing a promotional tour in Europe for the feature motion picture The Runaways. That promotional commitment was extended causing certain shows to be terminated including June 4 at Portfest. While festival organizers state that the cancellation is unfortunate, they are extremely pleased to have Blues Traveler as a high quality replacement.
Led by harmonica virtuoso John Popper, Blues Traveler’s body of work encompasses eight studio albums and four live discs, six of them certified Gold or Platinum, with combined worldwide sales of more than ten million units. The band gained mainstream radio popularity from their fourth studio album Four, released in 1994, with singles “But Anyway,” “Hook” and their best-known single, “Run-Around,” which was the longest-charting radio single in Billboard history. They are best known among fans for their improvisational live shows. Along the way, the band has played more than 2,000 live shows in front of more than three million people.
Tickets for June 4 are $20 in advance or $25 at the gate. Kids six and under get in free. Tickets are currently on sale at outlets throughout the region including Searcy, Batesville, Jonesboro, Paragould and Newport. Doghouse from Batesville will be opening the show at 7 p.m. with Blues Traveler on stage at 8:30 p.m. Annual Portfest-related activities include Miller Spectacular Carnival, a Buddy Bass Tournament, 5K Walk and Run, a kids fishing derby, two-person golf scramble, talent contest, horseshoe pitching contest, kids attractions and the Colgate Country Showdown.
A great line-up of activities has also been scheduled for Saturday, June 5, including performances by country groups Little Texas and Shenandoah. Tickets for June 5 are $7 either in advance or at the gate before 4 p.m.; they will increase to $20 at the gate after 4 p.m. Kids six and under get in free.
Hosted by the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce, Portfest is held on the banks of the White River at beautiful Jacksonport State Park, three miles north of Newport off Hwy. 69.