The Catskill Chronicle

LIBERTY, NY (May 11, 2011) – Bucky Covington, American Idol Finalist and country artist, is heading to Thunder Country to headline the 6^th annual ThunderBash presented by Thunder 102 and The Town of Thompson at the Monticello Casino and Raceway on May 14. Proceeds benefit the YMCA of Sullivan County and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

This free event will also feature Nashville recording artists David Adam Byrnes and Tommy Steele, along with regional favorites Iron Cowboy and Sullivan County’s own and Nashville singer/songwriters Somerville featuring Alyssa Startup.

Bucky Covington is that most remarkable of entertainers, a man known and loved as much for his engaging personality as for his formidable talent. The talent has shone through on three hit singles. His undeniable likeability and his ability to wear his stardom as comfortably as his jeans, has done the rest. Both come together on stage, where the long-haired North Carolinian with the rocker’s charisma and country boy charm thrills old and new fans alike.

At 23 years old, newcomer David Adam Byrnes has been called a backwoods redneck and he’ll be the first to tell you, he wears the label well. He sports a ball cap, plaid is “the fabric of his life,” he loves a barroom band, cranks his music up loud, adores his family, respects his country and is no stranger to hard work nor heartache. Regardless of the “brand,” this good ol’ honky-tonkin’ country boy from Sherwood, Arkansas is poised to make a brand new impression.

With great passion and a fiery drive, Tommy Steele (photo left) is earning his place in country music. Encouraged by his mother, a former Nashville country singer, and father, Tommy toiled for months before he was able to afford his modest beginner’s drum set.  It was all worth it, however, when, with the first bang on the set, Tommy realized his destiny.  From then on he spent every waking moment either earning money to buy musical instruments or honing his own musical abilities.

Sullivan County’s own and Nashville singer/songwriters, Somerville (photo right with Alyssa Startup), have been entertaining audiences their whole lives all across the country from festival stages, concert halls, radio and television shows, intimate in the round gatherings to numerous night club appearances. Ken and Barry are signed to Nashville’s RPM Music Group, one of Nashville’s top publishing companies. Appearing with Somerville will be 16 year old Alyssa Startup, a past finalist in the Thunder 102 Colgate Country Showdown.

Iron Cowboy has opened for major acts, including Bucky Covington, over the past few years. This Northeast Pennsylvania modern country band with a heart of Southern rock brings on the “Country Music With Horsepower” and is perennial ThunderBash Favorite.

ThunderBash is a FREE event, but you need a ticket to get in. Keep listening to Thunder 102, download the Thunder 102 iPhone or Android apps or go online at www.thunder102.com for more details.

Saturday, May 14 in the Grandstand at Monticello Casino & Raceway. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and show starts at 7:00 p.m., Thunder Bash is presented by The Town of Thompson and Your On-Air, Online and On You Cell Phone Station…Thunder 102.