
Image courtesy of Mid-America Freedom Rally
The 29th Annual Mid-America Freedom Rally, held at Buckhorn May 26th through 29th is a celebration of motorcycles, music, and Freedom. The rally features three nights of live musical entertainment. Here’s the scoop on this year’s lineup:
FRIDAY
Hott Mess is a rock n roll party cover band. Mark Steiner handles the microphone duties as vocalist, Mike Kelly is featured on bass, Capt. Thomas wields the lead guitar and Rich Armstrong keeps time on the drums. The band’s set list of cover tunes spans fifty years of rock and roll and includes party favorites such as “Walk This Way”, “Should I Stay or Should I Go”, “Flirting With Disaster”, and “Cat Scratch Fever.” When not playing gigs around Lake of the Ozarks you can catch the guys in Cuba, Lebanon, and Jefferson City. The band kicks off Mid-America Freedom Rally’s 2017 lineup Friday night.
Rock Road Rebels (Shane Newbrough/Vocals, Michael “Goz” Goslin/Bass, Ryan Conners/Lead Guitar, Brock Manly/Percussionist) have been described as “a compelling musical tsunami; an amalgamation of full throttle Southern Rock, gritty, earnest Blues and a down home swagger that’s immediate and appealing, all at once.” Favorites by this Southern Rock (with a little attitude) powerhouse include “Horsepower” and “Flirty Flirty”. We predict that the Mid-America Freedom Rally crowd will go wild Friday night when the guys crank out “Freedom In Our Eyes”- especially if word gets out that drummer Manly is an Army veteran. Manly enlisted after September 11, 2001 and served in Iraq.

Rock Road Rebels play the 29th Annual Mid-America Freedom Rally Friday, May 26, 2017. Image courtesy of Rock Road Rebels.
SATURDAY
Phat Mike and the Bartenders kick off the 29th Annual MAFR’s Saturday night live music lineup. The band calls Lebanon, Missouri home and can usually be found gigging across mid Missouri- especially at Lake of the Ozarks. The band promises a “soulful helping of rock and blues with a few sides of r&b, funk, and some original music for dessert!”
Gasoline Cult has been bringing their brand of Psychobilly to the Ozarks since 2010. The band is fronted by guitarists/vocalists Rev. Jimmy T. (James Clay) and Stonewall Jackson. The Reverend and Jackson also bring mandolin and banjo to the mix. Geoff Firebaugh plays electric bass and bull fiddle, Chad Graves plays dobro, and Jeremy Williams plays the drums. Gasoline Cult has “the soul bluegrass play with the high energy of a rock band.”

Image courtesy of Mid-America Freedom Rally
Lit is Mid-America Freedom Rally 2017’s headliner. Chances are, you have turned up their popular “My Own Worst Enemy” at camp during past rallies. During this year’s rally you and 1,500+ of your closest friends can belt it out live with the band. Lit will have you on your feet for the duration of their almost two hour set.

Lit headlines the Mid-America Freedom Rally in Buckhorn, May 27th, 2017. Image courtesy of Lit.
SUNDAY
Cuz I Said So are regulars at Hardtails Campground and Go Fast Betty’s near the Lake of the Ozarks. The band says that they are “four guys that love to party and rock all night long.” Their three hour set stuffed with party song covers will turn Sunday into Funday during the rally. Expect to hear covers of Grand Funk Railroad, Metallica, Stone Temple Pilots, and Green Day. Do not expect to hear “Freebird” unless the crowd is willing to pass a $200 tip to the stage. 😉

Courtesy of Mid-America Freedom Rally
ChristiAna takes the stage at 10:00 p.m. to close out the 29th Annual Mid-America Freedom Rally. MAFR celebrates motorcycles, music, and Freedom- and ChristiAna embodies all three of these elements. A motorcycle (2009 Harley Davidson Rocker) ridin’ combat veteran & patriot, she first sang in front of audience, outside of church, during a karaoke session at a forward operating base near Baghdad, Iraq. Since her impromptu debut she has won Operation Rising Star (2013), sang with Lee Brice during an ACM Salute to the Troops (2014), and performed at the White House (2014) singing to a crowd including the President of the United States- for which she received a standing ovation. ChristiAna is joined by Cody Wood (Bass), and Sam Norfleet (Keyboard).

ChristiAna, a former drill sergeant, is a combat veteran and patriot. Courtesy of ChristiAna.

Courtesy of ChristiAna
Add the All-American Ride to your MAFR weekend!
For more things to see and do in Pulaski County during Mid-America Freedom Rally visit www.PulaskiCountyUSA.com.