In addition to the many community events and fireworks spectacular, the 2009 Freedom Fest will feature several local bands along with three performers with National Labels.

Clark Absher will bring a country and folk music feel to the festival as he performs at the Grayson County Middle School Saturday, July11. Clark has developed a genre all his own. Aside from playing his originals, Clark plays anything from Waylon Jennings, Jason Mraz, The Killers, Tom Petty and everything in between.

He can be also be heard playing shows at The Kentucky State Fair, Churchill Downs, Kentucky Derby Festival events, private parties and numerous bars all over the region.

The second group is a Christian Rock band. The Seventh Time Down is a Four member rock group, from Mount Vernon, Kentucky, whose mission is to quite literally change the world.

Their, mainstream, pop/rock sound comes from a blend of heavy guitars, and soaring melodies from a larger than life lead vocal. This group of no bones about it believers and followers of the teachings of Jesus Christ, and their lyrics reflect this.

With the goal to set the world on fire and the idea of living for something bigger than yourself, this band will bring a different feel to the stage at the Freedom Fest.

They are currently in the studio finishing work on their new national release, full-length album with producer Scotty Wilbanks of Third Day. They will be touring this fall with Pillar, KJ-52, and Revive.

Gaba Gavi is immersed in the hip musical culture. In 2006 The Things We Want To Hear, became his debut EP, packed with raw emotion and lyrical purity Gavi’s simplistic guitar style will entertain the crowds of the Freedom Fest as his smooth, refined voice to offer the curb appeal that will draw a listener’s discerning ear.

Since October of 2008, Gavi has been working on a his follow-up record with friend and musician Tom Drummond of Better Than Ezra, Something's Wrong With Everything. The completion and release of this record is a major turning point for what is likely a successful career for this talented young songwriter.

In addition to the National titles the stage of the Freedom Fest will host four local bands and groups; The Jack Thomas Band, Legacy The Band, Leslie Rafferty and United.

Each of these performers will bring an individual feel to the stage and the free entertainment will keep crowd enthralled throughout the weekend.

The Jack Thomas Band entertains audiences with their eclectic mix of blues, country and pop.

What began less than a year ago as an onetime only gig at a wedding reception and has now turned into a five member band. Gary “Jack” Jackson plays bass, Mike Franklin- plays the keyboard, Jammey Bryant, drums, Harold Miller- guitar & vocals and Stefan Miller is the lead guitar and lead vocals.

Harold and Stefan are father and son, Jack and Jammey are brother-in-laws, and Mike played piano at Harold’s wedding when he was just a youngster.

The name of the band has many connections for the members as well. Both Harold and Stefan have Thomas for a middle name and Gary’s nickname is Jack. The band that Harold and Gary both belonged to in the 70’s lived and practiced across the street from a local Leitchfield landmark, the Jack Thomas House. Band members would greet each other by one shouting out “Jack” and another would answer by shouting out “Thomas” in hopes his ghost was entertained by their music and foolishness. They are honored to be part of the first annual Leitchfield Freedom Fest.

Legacy The Band is a rock band consisting of four musicians. They cover more than 250 classic rock hits, and have a growing list of original songs as well. The members are Rick Early, lead and backup vocals, lead guitar, and Jesse Early plays bass guitar and lead and backup vocals have played together all their lives. Steve Lee, plays rhythm guitar, has played with Legacy for a year and a half and the drummer is Randy Woosley, has been with Legacy for 17 years.

Formed in the 80’s within a few years we started out playing in Nashville. Rick and Jesse got hooked up with Johnny(Rock) Damron and Tim Gifford. We played the clubs in and around Nashville. That got a fan base started. After a few years Legacy moved to KY.

Legacy kept it going with new member Randy Woosley. When Rick moved to KY in 94 the band started working harder and performing from Louisville to Nashville. Small clubs, large clubs, biker rally’s, etc. In between Rick and Jesse recorded a solo country CD with 2 top tens on the charts. To cap things off and make a long story short, Legacy came across Steve Lee. Steve fit perfect with the band.

The members of Legacy The Band are excited to have the opportunity to be part of Leitchfield’s Freedom Fest.

Leslie Rafferty grew up in Grayson County, but her travels and music have taken her across the country. Rafferty’s music is now her ministry, and she is sharing her talent at festivals and events across the southeast.

Her music has a unique, folky feel with deep spiritual connection and her original lyrics tell her story and offer inspiration to those who hear them.

Rafferty explains her passion like this, “The word of God is alive and can bring life to those who listen to it and live by it. It’s Jesus’ love that blesses me and makes me able to share the music that He has given me with others”. Leslie recently produced her own debut CD entitled “Mercy Rain”.

United is a contemporary Christian band that has a broad range of members with different backgrounds and includes teens to grand-parents. The band was formed through a mutual desire to take the good news of Christ through music and personal testimonies out into the community.

United plays a range of modern contemporary Christian hits, cross-overs, and adding flavorful twists to well-known contemporary Christian songs. The band has so much talent that it is difficult to highlight just one member, from Jennifer Allen’s amazing lead riffs to Sara’s bluesy ballads, this band really has a solid sound.

Band members Steve Stapleton, Mike Blair and Kent Geary have decades of experience playing in bands of different sorts, and their experience shows in the tight tracks they play in each song the band performs.

The mother-son team on keyboards consists of Robin Embry with many years of church-based keyboard experience, and teen Trent Embry who’s ivory runs have the feel of someone years older.

Ken Roberts and Joseph Alexander step from behind the mixing console to round out a veteran cast in this band. Joseph’s lead fiddle licks are nothing short of awe-inspiring. Band members belong to different churches and have such diverse backgrounds it may make one wonder how they could all come together into one harmonious group.

The band’s name explains that in one word, when it comes to agreeing on Christ’s call in their lives, they all stand UNITED.