Clay's Park Resort near Canal Fulton, Ohio has be featuring special events and concerts for over 50 years. This includes such notable events as The Yankee Peddler Festival (40 yrs.) and The Alive Christian Music Festival (20 yrs.). With its full service RV and campground, a waterpark and the ongoing success of these special events, Clay's Park's decision to add another music festival saw great hope.
Over this same 50 years span, another phenomenon was becoming a mainstay in modern American culture, Rock N Roll. With a mixture of blues, folk and country music, lyrics depicting the times and a youthful attitude, young artists including Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly and Bob Dylan added their personal flair and Rock N Roll was born.Over the next half century, the times changed, though the spirit of Rock N Roll never faultered. This era would see the emergence of notable artists such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Pink Floyd, AC/DC, Aerosmith and many, many more.
In 2004, The Rock N Resort Music Festival became a reality. With headliners Grand Funk Railroad, BTO, Starship with Mickey Thomas, Edgar Winter and Bad Company's Brian Howe, Rock N Resort offered a mixture of memorable classic rock hits. RNR 2004 also included 1964, a internationally recognized Beatles Tribute Band, as well a fine selection of local and regional talent. All this great music on three stages over three days. Though the music throughout this first year event was awesome, the greatest highlight of the festival, were the fans. The camaraderie and fellowship among the campers and festival goers, also created friendships that would be rekindled each following year.
RNR 2005 brought the return of Grand Funk by popular demand, who were joined by headliners Joan Jett, Eddie Money, WAR, The Guess Who, Commander Cody and Little River Band. Zoso, a Led Zepplin Tribute band, also received rave reviews. A wider variety of regional bands was added and this second year event began gaining interest from sponsors, as well as the artists and their fans.
In 2006, WAR returned as the popular headliner, along with John Kay & Steppenwolf, Foghat, Kansas, The Outlaws and Colin John Band. As the festival had grown in popularity and attendance, RNR added two new stages to accommodate over 40 national headliners, local bands, regional recording artists and solo performers. In addition, Music Workshops featured professional musicians, who provided insight on guitar, keyboards, drums and bass guitar, as well as digital recording technologies and software. Campsite decorating contests, Car and Motorcycle shows and singles events were highlighted and additional shower facilities were installed to accommodate the increasing fan base.
2007 brought an entirely new line up to Rock N Resort, featuring headliners Cheap Trick, REO Speedwagon, Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes, The New Rascals (featuring Rock Hall Inductees Gene Cornish and Dino Danelli) and George Thorogood and The Destroyers. Our fourth year also saw the return of the RNR Music Workshops, Tiki Bar solo performers, Tribute to the Troops and the Campsite Decorating Contest (Winner was George Spraw and friends with "Toga House", who also won in 2006 with "Claystock"). Some of the regional performer highlights included Paul Green's School of Rock All Stars, Hip Kitty, Toys In The Attic (Aerosmith tribute), LaFlavour and Any Colour You Like (Pink Floyd tribute). The Pre-Fest Kick Off Party featured Clay's Park House Band, "The Overtones", "Ball and Chain" (Janis Joplin tribute) and Clays Park Battle of the Bands winner, "Cindy Crawfords Little Sister" (...and No, that is the name of the band).
Celebrating our 5th annual event in 2008, The Rock N Resort Music Festival is attracting more new sponsors, new artists and new fans. We will continue making improvements and adding new events, that promote the spirit of Rock N Roll and the family friendly environment that has become a prominent feature of the festival. We would also like to extend our appreciation to all who have been involved and attended for your ongoing support and interest in Rock N Resort.
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