Last year, GoTriCities, Dr Enuf and JJs House of Music presented the first showcase of regional rock bands at the Homegrown Showcase. This year, the sounds are bigger and the fans agree this one night concert on Wednesday, July 21st will be live and loud as the ultimate rock club bands take the stage during Kingsport's annual Fun Fest.

GoTriCities and GoTriCities.com have been listening and watching the local music scene in the Tri-Cities to discover the audience's best choice for live rock and roll club bands. Bands from all over the region were considered for this annual showcase that offers music fans a chance to gather with their friends and attend a free concert and to see four of the best bands for one night on one stage.

"East Tennessee has plenty of talent," says David Cate, New Media Director and music columnist for The GoTriCities Network. "Last year, we worked with our sponsors to present 4 original bands and we hope that our showcase helped promote their music, but this year, we spoke with our sponsors and decided on something a little different."

This year Cate explains that this years showcase will present local rock and roll bands that draw the biggest crowds at area venues. "These are the bands that play to packed clubs and although they play some original material, you're more than likely to hear a lot of greatest rock radio songs from bands that know how to entertain and fans will have a chance to see them all for free.'

Appearing this year at the showcase will be regional favorites, Sober Otis, CattleAxe, Goodspeed and newcomers Johnny Rock Star.

Sober Otis is one of those bands that has been performing in the Tri-Cities for many years and have an incredible set list. Their music includes everything from Audioslave to Pearl Jam and Pink Floyd. With a new 5 song EP on the street the band plans to showcase many of their originals, including plenty of rockers you'll recognize.

CattleAxe is another local favorite featuring Greg Yates and Tom Bettini. Both artists are residents of the Tri-Cities and carry to the stage years of performance energy with bands like Jackyl and David Allan Coe. Their recent performances at Kemosabes are usually met with standing room only crowds and encores well into the morning.

The Sophisticated Otter in Johnson City calls GoodSpeed one of their favorite bands that always bring a crazy crowd of young fans that appreciate their onstage antics and medleys that span the nineties and beyond.

Finally, the newcomer on the street, Johnny Rock Star has received critical acclaim as being phenomenon in the making. Adam Cloninger is the young lead vocalist with charisma like no other front man in the region and together with his band, they shower the stage with a powerful emo performance that is hard to forget.

Wednesday's concert coincides with the Fun Fest Pool party and another outdoor concert. There are plenty of bands on the street and indoors this night and the doors to The Kingsport Civic Auditorium will open at 6pm with the first live act on stage at 7pm. The Soundpranos will be producing the show with sound and lighting and bands will each play a 45 minute set till 11pm.

Don't miss this great night with the Ultimate Rock Bands at The 2004 Fun Fest/GoTriCities Homegrown Showcase.

Complete details about the 2004 Homegrown Showcase can be found online at http://www.gotricities.com/music.