ACM New Vocal Group of the Year, LANCO, to also perform

Tampa, Fla. - (June 17, 2019) – More than 8,000 barbecue and music fans will gather on Tampa’s riverfront at Curtis Hixon Park, Saturday, October 19 for the 9th Annual Tampa Pig Jig. The event, which donates proceeds to NephCure Kidney International (NephCure), has become one of Tampa’s premier philanthropic community events and combines live music, games, silent auction, along with delicious food and drinks into one fun-filled day. 

This year, chart-topping singer-songwriter Jake Owen will headline the event, joined by multi-platinum band, LANCO, and indie rock band, Dr. Dog. 

“We are thrilled to unveil an incredible lineup this year, including Florida favorite Jake Owen as our headliner,” said Tampa Pig Jig Board Member, Chris LaFace. “From beginning to end, guests can expect an electric atmosphere and non-stop hit music.”

With more than 3.4 billion global career streams to date, Owen’s versatile talent continues to set the bar for anthem country with #1 hits like “Barefoot Blue Jean Night,” “The One That Got Away,” “Beachin’,” “I Was Jack (You Were Diane),” and most recently, “Down To The Honkytonk.” The multi-Platinum entertainer recently released of his sixth full-length studio album, GREETINGS FROM…JAKE, on Big Loud Records. GREETINGS FROM…JAKE is the follow-up to Owen’s AMERICAN LOVE album, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart and No. 4 on the Billboard 200 all-genre chart. For more information, visit JakeOwen.net or Facebook, and follow him on Instagram and Twitter.

LANCO is at “the top of their game” (Pitchfork) as they continue to reveal the story behind their record-breaking debut album HALLELUJAH NIGHTS. Its 2X PLATINUM multi-week No. One hit, “Greatest Love Story” paved the course for acclaim with lead singer Brandon Lancaster becoming the first artist in 10 years to have a number one on the chart solely written by that artist. LANCO also serves as the first country group in a decade to appear at the top of the Billboard Country albums chart with a debut album, which now boasts over 423 million streams. Earning nominations this year from the ACM, CMT, CMA and American Music Awards, proves why they are the only Country band to achieve a PLATINUM single prior to a debut album release. The “arena-rock leaning band” (Entertainment Weekly) has rapidly created a loyal fanbase over the past five years with more than 400 shows as the featured act with sold-out club runs in major markets such as New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles. 

The most infectious and adventurous collection Dr. Dog has laid to tape yet, the brilliant new album, ‘Critical Equation,’ was born from a journey of doubt and discovery, a heavy, sometimes painful reckoning that ultimately brought the band closer together with more strength and clarity than ever before. Call it an existential awakening, call it a dark night of the soul, whatever it was, it fueled one of the most fertile creative periods in the group’s history and forced them to confront that timeless question: what do we really want?

Founded in Tampa Bay and now making its mark nationwide, Pig Jig was established by a group of local men to support their friend in his fight against the rare kidney disease, Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Now entering its ninth year, the funds raised have aided in more than 20 trials happening worldwide.

“We’ve been so fortunate to watch the Pig Jig grow from a small, grassroots event to NephCure’s largest single-event fundraiser nationwide,” said event organizer Vince Chillura. “With more than $4 million being raised to date, we’re more determined than ever to help find a cure for those suffering from FSGS.”

General admission tickets will go on sale Friday, June 21 at 10 a.m. and are $25 online, in advance and $40 day of the event (barring a sellout). Children 12 and under are free. Beer + BBQ tickets are also available for $50 online, in advance and include unlimited craft beer and barbecue sampling experience from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on event day. A limited number of VIP tickets are available for $125 online in advance and include entry into the event, along with the VIP tent where patrons will enjoy complimentary food and four drinks of their choice. VIP tickets typically sell out, so early purchase is recommended. To purchase tickets, inquire about event sponsorship, become a volunteer or for general event information, please visit tampapigjig.com.

MEDIA AVAILABLE: Approved artist images, logo and past event photos

About Tampa Pig Jig

The Tampa Pig Jig is an annual fundraiser event hosted on downtown Tampa’s beautiful waterfront featuring live music, great food, a corporate BBQ competition, drinks and games.  The event benefits NephCure Kidney International, the only non-profit organization committed to supporting research, improving treatment and finding a cure for the debilitating kidney disease, FSGS (Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis) and Nephrotic Syndrome. Over the past 8 years, the Tampa Pig Jig has raised over $4 million with proceeds benefitting NephCure. The Tampa Pig Jig was founded by Old Florida Federation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization made up of several local Tampa Bay gentlemen. For more information, visit tampapigjig.com.

About NephCure Kidney International

NephCure Kidney International is the only organization committed exclusively to support research seeking the cause of the potentially debilitating kidney disease Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and the diseases that cause Nephrotic Syndrome, improve treatment, and find a cure. For more information, please visit nephcure.org.

The annual Tampa Pig Jig event is managed and produced by EventFest, Inc. 

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