Spirits Will Soar as the
Crossover Christian Music Festival Returns
to Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks

 Lake of the Ozarks, Mo. – As songs fill the air, spirits are sure to soar at the eighth annual Crossover Christian Music Festival .  One of mid-America's largest Christian music events, the popular festival is set for June 8-10 at Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks.

The festival will bring nationally known contemporary Christian and Christian rock performers to the Stoneridge Amphitheatre in Camdenton.  As many as 10,000 music fans from throughout the region are expected to attend the three-day event, which also will offer food concessions, children's activities and a variety of vendors.
  
The traditional Thursday evening “Praise Night” will run from 6:00-10:00 p.m.  “We are really excited to feature the Praise Band from the James River Assembly of God Church in Springfield,” says Alan Sullivan, festival director. “And we are thrilled that Mark Collum & Empyreal will be back for a third time.”  Collum is a former winner of Spirit FM KCVO radio's “American Icon” talent search, Sullivan notes.  The winner of this year's contest will perform at Crossover on Saturday night.  Also making their Crossover debut at Praise Night will be the female trio Color of Mercy.
  
Crossover will continue from 5:30-10:30 p.m. on Friday, featuring headliner Jeremy Camp, recently voted Favorite Male Artist by the readers of Christianity Today and Favorite Artist and Favorite Male Artist by the readers of CCM Magazine , among numerous other honors and awards.
  
“Jeremy is an incredible artist and we're excited that he's coming back to Crossover for an encore performance,” says Jim McDermott, general manager of Spirit FM KCVO in Camdenton and Crossover board member.  “His music is getting a lot of airplay on the radio now.”  Also appearing Friday night will be Barlow Girl, “three sisters who are receiving a lot of national attention,” McDermott says.
  
Other performers will include Day of Fire, Joanna Martino and Monday Morning.  “These are up-and-coming groups,” Sullivan says.  “At Crossover we try to mix the big-name groups with performers on their way up the charts.  We like to give them a chance to get on a big stage in front of an audience.  In the past, several groups have performed here before they made it nationally.”
  
The festival will continue from 3:30-10:30 p.m. Saturday with headliners Audio Adrenaline.  The group has sold more than three million records, racked up 18 number one singles and won the prestigious CCM Song of the Decade award in the 1990s with “Big House.”  Sullivan says, “We are so pleased they are playing at Crossover because actually this is the group's farewell tour.  Life on the road is hard and they've been at it for 15 years. They will be the last band to play and it's sure to be an unforgettable finale.”
  
Also on Saturday's lineup will be Thousand Foot Crutch, Jessie Daniels, Cross Culture and Red, as well as Columbia native Caleb Rowden, who recently signed with Slanted Records.  
  
“All in all we have a very exciting lineup,” Sullivan says.  “Also it has been great to work with the new owners of the Stoneridge Amphitheatre, Tony Oddo and John Civitate.  They have really worked hard to make the venue a first-class concert facility. We're thrilled that the Crossover festival will be the first concert at the new and improved Stoneridge.”
  
After each concert, fans can stop by the vendor pavilion to meet their favorite performers, get autographs and purchase CDs and merchandise.  In addition, visitors can shop at several booths offering T-shirts, CDs, jewelry, gift items, Bibles, books and more.
  
More than 200 volunteers of all ages and many denominations help plan and prepare for the annual Crossover festival. Volunteers assist in many areas, from parking to stage crew, security to setup.  In addition, on Saturday, June 3, volunteers will be needed to help spruce up the amphitheatre.  “We would appreciate all the help we can get on that Saturday to make sure Stoneridge will look great,” Sullivan says.  “Anyone who comes out to help that morning and works for at least four hours will receive a free Crossover ticket.”  Volunteers age 16 years or older may register at www.crossoverfestival.org or call Janet Steele at 573-346-2836.
  
Tickets are $7 for Thursday, $24 for Friday and $24 for Saturday.  A two-day pass costs $36 and a three-day pass is $44.  Group rates for groups of 15 or more are $18 per ticket on Friday and on Saturday.  Children age 5 and under are free.

A special Youth Group package also is available, including admission to the festival Friday and Saturday, all-day admission to Big Surf Waterpark or two rides at Big Shot Family Action Park, a $3 item from Randy's Frozen Custard in Osage Beach and a $15 food voucher at the festival.  “This is a good deal for youth leaders,” Sullivan says.  “They can use the package to offer their group a fantastic weekend.” Youth group leaders are encouraged to contact Sullivan at 573-280-7485 for information about the package and about area lodging that will offer a special youth-group rate.  In addition, Sullivan says churches may contact him for a free DVD with information about the Crossover festival. Plenty of free parking will be available at the amphitheatre, Sullivan adds.
 
“The Crossover Christian Music Festival truly is a quality festival,” says Joel Pottinger, executive director of the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau.  “The performers are all amazed at the facility and the hospitality we give them, and especially the reception they get from the audience," notes Pottinger, a Crossover board member and festival founder.  "Combined with Lake activities, Crossover attracts thousands of people and that's great for the local economy. Most important, it brings together people of all denominations.  It's a lot of work but a lot of fun.”
  
For more information on the Crossover Christian Music Festival, visit www.crossoverfestival.org or call 800-901-6977.  And for complete information about Lake-area lodging, dining, shopping and attractions, call 800-FUN-LAKE or visit the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau's web site at www.funlake.com.

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