Smith Mountain Lake to host series of hit musicians

Several high-profile country, rock and Christian rock music artists will soon test the waters of a developing entertainment market at Smith Mountain Lake.

Sweetwater Entertainment Group, Inc. — operated by Moneta native Holly Sweet and husband/partner Darren Snyder — have announced seven concerts in late August.

Sara Evans, Blake Shelton, Lonestar, Diamond Rio, Grand Funk Railroad, TobyMac and Styx are slated to headline a string of outdoor concerts with festival-style seating across the Mariners Landing entrance on Smith Mountain Lake Parkway.

Ticket prices range from $30 to $35 at the gate and $25 to $35 in advance.

“We’re trying to keep prices where people can come to more than one show,” Sweet said.

Sweet and Snyder, the current production manager and audio engineer for country artist Darryl Worley, are still in the planning stages for Sweetwater Amphitheater — a 7,000-seat facility in Moneta close to Virginia 122.

Bedford County officials last year approved rezoning 40 acres within the 56-acre site to allow the project to move forward. All votes were unanimous and there was no public opposition.

The couple says they want to attract high-quality music entertainment of various genres and provide a venue for local artists.

Sweet said Monday that hopes and excitement run high for these concerts and their mix of country, rock and Christian rock.

“We tried very hard to come up with a good lineup,” Sweet said. “We have a lot of partners who have pulled their resources to make this happen.”

It’s a personal bonus for Sweet that Styx, one of her all-time favorites, has committed. They have longevity, she said.

Snyder has said that outdoor shows provide a special feel and have potential to draw artists who want to tap into it.

A Franklin County native, he and Sweet moved to Moneta from Nashville to pursue the project after separate music careers.

Vicki Gardner, director of the Smith Mountain Lake Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber has already received many inquiries about the upcoming concerts.

Like Sweet and Snyder, she believes the venue’s location is conveniently located between Lynchburg, Roanoke and other surrounding areas that crave the entertainment possibilities.

Sweet and Snyder, with their background in the Nashville music scene, are the right kind of developers, she said.

“The venue is excellent,” she said. “They’re not just coming and rolling the dice. They have planned it well.”

Sweet said there are a lot of people behind her and Snyder working to make the venue a hot spot for entertainment.

They have promised Bedford County officials that lighting, noise, traffic and even alcohol consumption would be closely monitored to keep in harmony with the area.

“We’re very excited,” she said. “It’s something we hope the community will embrace.”