Molly Hatchet, Kristen Kelly headline country music fest

August 20, 2015 at 12:05a.m.

By GUY D’ASTOLFO

AUSTINTOWN

It’s being hailed as Mahoning Valley’s first country music festival.

The Steel Horse Country Music Festival, featuring Molly Hatchet and Kristen Kelly, as well as Youngstown native (and Nashville artist) Amanda Jones and the Family Band, will be Saturday and Sunday at Harley-Davidson Biketown.

Molly Hatchet will give Steel Horse a Southern rock flair. The band was at the forefront of the genre in the late ’70s and ’80s with hits that included “Flirtin’ With Disaster.”

Molly Hatchet will take the stage at 7 p.m. Sunday.

Headlining Saturday will be Texas native Kelly, who performs at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Other national acts include Matt Mason and Them Vibes, who will perform both days.

Local acts will include the Youngstown-based acts Amanda Jones and the Family Band and Blue Sire, plus Dixie Soul of the Akron area.

Steel Horse will begin at noon Saturday and at 1 p.m. Sunday and will offer a full bar and food vendors.

The festival will take place outdoors under a large tent on the Biketown grounds, which includes plenty of free parking, said festival promoter Scott Austalosh.

It’s an all-ages, family-friendly event, said Austalosh.

Guests are welcome to bring lawn chairs. Tickets start at $16. Go to ballyhoomusicfestival.com or ballyhootickets.com.