In honor of Marshall County’s fainting goats, the 17th annual Goats, Music, and More returns October 11 and 12. The two-day festival offers free admission for everyone.

On Friday, Oct. 11, the event kicks off with Fainting and Boer Goat shows. There will be kids activities, arts & crafts, vendors, food trucks, and free concerts. Ronnie McDowell and Shelby Lee Lowe will perform at the Rock Creek Park Stage Friday night. McDowell is most known for the song, “The King is Gone.” The record paid tribute to Elvis Presley after his death in 1977.

The young Vietnam veteran proved he could deliver more than a one-hit wonder. His second record, “I love you, I love you,” caught the attention of CBS Records. After signing with them, he released many singles after that. Every single but one made it to the Top 10 List. His music career took off, and he started to tour with artists like Conway Twitty, Tammy Wynette, and Loretta Lynn before headlining his own shows.

Shelby Lee Lowe is a Modern Country artist from Possum Trot, which is only an hour away from Music City. He graduated with a music business degree from Middle Tennessee State University, and signed his first record deal with Banner Music in Nashville. He has opened for major acts like the Charlie Daniels Band, Brett Young, and Big Smo. He has also opened for several events such as: NASCAR, Circle K Speed Street, Atlanta Braves, and CMA Fest. Earlier this year, he released the single, “All We Need.” In just a week, the song had reached over 11,000 plays on Spotify.

Saturday night welcomes another legend to perform at the festival: T. Graham Brown. While attending the University of Georgia in Athens, he discovered his love for music. Just years later, Brown moved to Nashville. By this time, he was a Grammy Nominated artist, CMA award winner, and Diamond Addy recipient. He signed with EMI publishing and began to work on his songwriting craft. Within two years, he landed an exclusive record deal. Not only that, but he has recorded Warner Brothers and Sony. He also has a partnership with Cracker Barrel Old

Country Stores.

His career started with creating catchy jingles. His vocal range ability allowed him to be the voice in many ads for places like Taco Bell, McDonald’s, Dr.Pepper, Almond Joy, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and many more.

Brown’s latest album is Grammy nominated, and it his first gospel effort. He will tell you with a grin, “I’ve got a band and a bus and I’ll keep taking the music to the people as long as God lets me.”

The second free performer on Saturday night will be Wade Hayes. The last few years have been extremely difficult for him, but it has molded him into the passionate singer-songwriter he is today. He has survived Stage IV colon cancer, not once, but twice. With a different perspective on life, Hayes created “Go Live Your Life,” with the lessons he’s learned over the years. The upbeat anthem celebrates living life to the fullest.

His music journey began when Hayes was in his early 20s. The second-generation songwriter from Oklahoma began pumping out hit songs. He grew up watching his dad performed,and the young guitarist dreamed of being the next Don Rich, Buck Owens’ revered guitar player and one

of the most legendary sidemen.

It wasn’t long after he discovered he wanted to be more than just a sideman. After moving to Nashville, he handed a publishing deal within nine months. Soon after he signed with Columbia Records. Four major label albums have been certified gold by RIAA. His single, “Old Enough to Know Better,” hit No. 1, and he is also nominated for ACM’s Top New Male Vocalist.

The Goats, Music, and More festival draws people across the United States. Each year, the festival grows. If fainting goats are your thing, this is the festival to go to. There will be activities like 5k Goat Gallop, Three-legged Goat Triathlon, Goat Yoga, and plenty of food. The festival grounds will open at 9 a.m. both days.