By Steve Keenan, The Register-Herald
BECKLEY — As the Bill Withers Music Festival continues to expand its reach, the music — and legacy — of the Hall of Famer from Raleigh County remains at the core.
The fifth annual festival unfolds on Saturday, June 28 from 1 to 8 p.m. at the Bill Withers Plaza on top of the Beckley Intermodal Gateway parking facility on Neville Street in Beckley. The event is sponsored by the City of Beckley and the Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce Foundation, along with dance party sponsors, guitar sponsors and sponsors of the youth art contest.
The free festival and concert schedule recognizes the impact of Withers, a Slab Fork native who carved out a spectacular musical career that included his 2015 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a 2005 induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, his 2007 enshrinement into the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame and three Grammy Awards. According to Beckley Events Director Jill Moorefield, the festival will celebrate the hometown musical legend with music, booths, food vendors and activities.
