Entertainer/singer/songwriter James Rogers is scheduled to appear on the Camp Jordan Amphitheatre stage Saturday. Rogers will perform a two-hour show, starting at 8 p.m., as part of the free Camp Jordan Jams concert series.
East Ridge Parks and Recreation Director Stump Martin said a good crowd is expected for the Memorial Weekend event.
Stacy Wilson and the Band Raven hit the stage at 6:30 p.m. and the Cruise In begins at 5:30 p.m. with cars to be lined up stage left.
“We are excited about the opportunity to have James Rogers and Raven for Camp Jordan Jams,” Mr. Martin said. “I know we have had calls from Pennsylvania and South Georgia from families who are coming to see James. The people know what they get when they get to see him in person.”
Mr. Martin said he saw Rogers perform as a regular at the Station House at the Chattanooga Choo-Choo in the 1970's and at the Music Mansion at Pigeon Forge.
"I have seen James perform many times and every performance is fun and entertaining," Mr. Martin said. "He really gets the crowd into the show and it will be cool to see him at Camp Jordan not far from where he got his start at the Light Fantastic on Brainerd Road.”
Rogers said this is something he really wants to do and he’s excited about the opportunity to perform in a large venue in the Chattanooga area.
A former member of the Tennessee National Guard, who served in active duty with the U.S. Army, Rogers' Memorial Day weekend performance will be spot on to honor those who gave their lives for our country.
From 1975 to 1983 he performed in large show rooms and in concerts with some of the biggest names in show business, including Alabama, Suzy Bogguss, Roy Clark, Steve Martin, Ricky Skaggs and superstar Dolly Parton.
He won the 1983 National Mountain Music Festival talent contest that featured 2,000 contestants at a theme park in the Smokies called Silver Dollar City.
James Rogers and Company (as the production show was called) at Magic Mansion, was "the No. 1 most attended show in the Smokies." The theater and Rogers received worldwide acclaim by winning several awards, including the Peoples’ Choice Award for "Best Show" 1997 and 1998, "Best Theatre" 1996, 1997, and 1998, and "Best Entertainer" 1997 and 1998 just to name a few.
Rogers was at the Music Mansion in Pigeon Forge from 1994-1998 and continued to perform at Dollywood from 1998 until November 3, 2012.
“I Guard America,” was written by Rogers and adopted in 1997 by the Enlisted Men's and Women's Association of the National Guard as their official theme song. In 1999 it was also adopted as the official song of the National Guard.
In 2002, Rogers wrote “Where Eagles Fly,” for the Fraternal Order of Eagles, which was later adopted as the theme song. He recorded “Save the Eagle” as a benefit song for the American Eagle Foundation. Collaborating stars included Lee Greenwood, Ricky Skaggs, Tanya Tucker, Deborah Allen, Deanna Carter, Ricky Lynn Gregg, Joy White and The Oak Ridge Boys. ”When Challenger Flies,” his new song for the American Eagle Foundation, has had three million hits on YouTube. After the loss of his father to the disease, James wrote “Find The Way” for the Alzheimer’s Association.