{Articles: Tuscaloosa News 2/10/07}

Performers for the Riverfest concerts June 7-9 in Gadsden include headliners Chris Daughtry and Joe Nichols.

Cherish, the Southern rock band .38 Special, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and country music's Bobby Bare also are scheduled to perform.

"Everybody keep your fingers crossed for a sunshiny weekend, and I think we'll have a great event," said Riverfest vice chairman Mike Shannon.

The lineup was announced Thursday by the chamber of commerce for Gadsden and Etowah County.

The festival also will include the Road to Riverfest Talent Competition in the Mort Glosser Amphitheatre, with the top five bands in two categories competing to perform on Friday or Saturday night. The top five will be selected by a panel of judges from CDs submitted.

Chamber president Tom Quinn described the 22nd annual festival lineup as the strongest since the late 1990s.

Tickets will go on sale in about three weeks.