Courtesy photos

Little Texas

Little Rodger and the Cheap Thrills

On its Web site, Festival in the Park promises five nights of concerts with something for everyone.

Maybe. A certain class of music snob should probably forget about it, though the event's planners deserve credit for booking a nice variety of local and regional acts. Where big-name headliners are concerned, though, it's a typical FIP lineup -- relatively inoffensive and palatable across the demographic scale. You've got classic rock, classic country, rock and soul tribute acts, even some pop-country on the bills. Each concert costs $8 at the gate. Evening hours are 6 to 10 tonight through Sunday and 5 to 9 p.m. Monday.

Here's a rundown of the big names.

Edgar Winter

Opening acts: Led Head, Full Moon Circle

This rock keyboard icon seems to like the same music his fans like (see interview, Page 11). So you'll hear classics such as "Frankenstein" and "Free Ride." And you'll hear some phenomenal musicianship.

Before hearing Winter play his own tunes, you'll hear Led Head do Led Zeppelin favorites. It's a classic rock kinda night.

When: 6:30 tonight (Winter begins at 8:30)

Web: edgarwinter.com, myspace.com/fullmoon circle, myspace.com/ledheadband

Little Texas

Opening acts: Phil Stacey, Second Wind

This headliner sold millions in the 1990s, with songs such as "What Might Have Been" and "My Love," before breaking up. Now the band is back together, and ready to put some more country music earworms in your brain.

Stacey is the Navy guy "American Idol" contestant from a couple of seasons back. Now he's landlocked in Nashville, with a new song, "If You Didn't Love Me."

When: 6:30 p.m. Friday (Little Texas begins at 8:30)

Web: philstacey.music citynetworks.com, secondwindband.net

Suzette Dorsey's Tina Turner Show

Opening acts: The House Band, Little Rodger and the Cheap Thrills

"Legends in Concert" vet Dorsey certainly screams and growls like Queen Tina, and she has the body English down, too, if her YouTube videos are any indication. The local- and regionally based opening acts deliver, in turns, good blues and good soul and R&B.

When: 6 p.m. Saturday (Dorsey begins at 8:30)

Web: suzettedorsey.com, thehouse bandofva.com, littlerodger.com

The Bellamy Brothers

Opening acts: Jason Michael Carroll, and Aamen, Anders & Brown

Classic country music line: "If I said you had a beautiful body, would you hold it against me?" Straight-up cheese, and also the title of the Bellamy Brothers smash hit. Before they became country successes, they had a smash pop hit with "Let Your Love Flow." They also sing gospel tunes. Opener Carroll has made intriguing early connections, including some songwriting with Jewel. His best known song may be "Alyssa Lies," about child abuse.

When: 6 p.m. Sunday (Bellamy Brothers begin at 8:30)

Web: bellamybrothers.com, jasonmichaelcarroll.com

1964 The Tribute

Opening act: The Downing Brothers Band

What would Festival be without this Fab Four cover band? For the 15th straight year, it's a moptops and Beatle boots kind of time-warp, babies! The Downings perform oldies, very oldies and extremely oldies.

When: 5 p.m. Monday (1964 The Tribute begins at 6:30)

Web: 1964thetribute.com, downingbrothers.com

For the full schedule of local bands on stage throughout the festival, go to roanokefestival.org

-- Tad Dickens