Rock Candy

Those couple of country shows at Alltel later in the year got us wondering about where Riverfest's schedule is. There have been some "sneak peeks" to the schedule taking shape thus far on the major acts. The 30th anniversary of the music and arts festival on the Arkanas River is May 25-27. Here's what Riverfest has planned so far:

Friday: Montgomery Gentry back with its pop country; Pat Benatar and hubby Neil Giraldo with their classic rocking on the west end of the Little Rock side; Smash Mouth rocking on the amphitheater stage for all the younger folks and young at heart.

Saturday: Keb' Mo', the most awesome of contemporary bluesmen; country boy Keith Anderson at the amphitheater; the usual appearance of adult and kid favorites Trout Fishing in America; country star Blake Shelton is back, headlining at the amphitheater. But the big news is that LL Cool J is on the way as well to rock the house on the North Little Rock side.

Sunday: American Idol 2 winner Reuben Studdard will be on the amphitheater following the Symphony's annual appearance.

There's more coming. We wish we'd see somebody like The Fray, or Carbon Leaf or somebody up-and-coming in the pop-rock side of music. Those pop-rock shows book the latest of of them.

And  check out this local show coming in ealry May: Jay Farrar and Son Volt, one of our favorites, to the Revolution Music Room on May 2.