The RE/MAX Stage

RE/MAX is known the world over by its iconic red, white and blue hot air balloons. In fact, RE/MAX boasts the world's largest fleet of hot air balloons with over 100 in operation world wide.

RE/MAX is a global real estate network of franchisee-owned and -operated offices with more than 100,000 Sales Associates. Those agents constitute the world's most productive real estate sales force. Through their efforts, they've made it possible to say that nobody in the world sells more real estate than RE/MAX.

The RE/MAX Stage is back at Freedom Balloon Fest 2018. As a companion to the hot air balloons, the 2018 Freedom Balloon Fest is proud to offer hours of live music to enjoy over the course of the Memorial Day weekend.

We invite you to enjoy great lineup of music provided through the support of the independent network of RE/MAX agents, brokers and offices throughout the region. It's all part of the Freedom Balloon Fest experience.

Our Artists...

Join us in welcome the cast of great musicians scheduled to appear on the RE/MAX Stage at the 2018 Freedom Balloon Fest.
All scheduled acts and performance times are approximate and may adjust due to other programming.

Friday, May 25

6:00pm | Immediately following Opening Ceremonies - Danny Perdieu (Singer-Songwriter). Valley Road Recording Artist and native of Lynchburg, VA, Danny Perdieu, arrived in Nashville in the summer of 1998. Danny has a deep passion for music and served as a tour manager for years. The long years of touring with others have led to a new career with his own voice. His single "Last Walk Home" was an extra track from his forthcoming "Random Roads" project. "Last Walk Home" is a special tribute to America's military service members past and present. Danny performs twice at this year's Freedom Balloon Fest in honor and tribute to all of our families.

7:00-8:00pm | Waking April... Waking April is an Indie synthpop band from Raleigh, NC. Fresh from recording their 2nd studio EP, “Bones” takes them in a synthpop direction while maintaining the band’s indie roots. Their dedicated musicality enables them to embrace unconventional instrumentation without losing the core of Waking April’s sound: the strong songwriting of Bethany and Alex and how they create something lush, harmonically rich and unique. Check out Waking April at the 2018 Freedom Balloon Fest in Fuquay-Varina.

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8:15-10:00pm | One 80... One 80 started this band in 1982 and played in college with pieces of the group and recently regrouped to have a good time with each other for the love of music. Festival goers will enjoy classics and a good time influenced by Van Halen, Motley Crue, Led Zeppelin, KISS, Skynard, Steve Miller, Jazz, and even a little rap.

Saturday, May 26

All scheduled acts and performance times are approximate and may adjust due to other programming.

3:30-5:00pm | The Mirage Band followed by an encore performance of Danny Perdieu... A stylistically unique Rock & Roll Band from day one, the members of The Mirage Band have been been singing, performing, and playing in sync as if they’d been together their entire musical careers. Mirage was originally formed in 1996 as an Eagles Tribute Band. They played "First Night Raleigh" (twice), Ritz Theatre, The Longbranch, and numerous other venues and events. The set list for Mirage includes many classic hits rarely heard today. Members come from rock, country, classical and gospel backgrounds, including Sidewinder, Nantucket, Possum Cowboy Band to name a few. Collectively they have well over 100 years of touring, recording, and performing experience.

4:30-5:00pm | Danny Perdieu... Valley Road Recording Artist and native of Lynchburg, VA, Danny Perdieu, arrived in Nashville in the summer of 1998. Danny has a deep passion for music and served as a tour manager for years. The long years of touring with others have led to a new career with his own voice. His single "Last Walk Home" was an extra track from his forthcoming "Random Roads" project. "Last Walk Home" is a special tribute to America's military service members past and present. Danny performs twice at this year's Freedom Balloon Fest in honor and tribute to all of our families - first at the conclusion of our Opening Ceremonies & this is his encore performance. Check out Danny Perdieu at the 2018 Freedom Balloon Fest in Fuquay-Varina.

6:00-7:00pm | Johnny Orr... North Carolina is known for the creative musical talent it has sent to the world stage, and Raleigh’s Johnny Orr Band (JOB) is on its way to seeing its name added to the list of renowned contemporary Country acts. Formed in 2007 by dynamic vocalist and main songwriter Johnny Orr, guitarist/vocalist Gino Latarulo and bassist/vocalist Jack Getz, later adding drummer Bill Eagen, dobro/slide Ricky Keen, and lead guitars Chad Lister. JOB has opened for Kenny Chesney, the Zac Brown Band, Little Big Town, Gretchen Wilson, Parmalee, Cole Swindell, Tyler Farr, Jason Michael Carroll and more. In 2012 the band won the prestigious American Country Star talent competition in Nashville, starting a buzz that has opened the doors for the band to take its career to the next level with its new EP, DOWN SOUTH. Catch JOB Saturday, May 26, 2018 and Sunday, May 27 for an encore performance at 2018 Freedom Balloon Fest.

7:15-8:15pm | The Rusted Rails... The Rusted Rails ignite local audiences with a captivating mix of familiar and original rock-a-billy, swing, and blues. They were voted best band by the Triangle Blues Society in 2011 and the Cape Fear Blues Society in 2010. These achievements earned The Rusted Rails coveted venues in Memphis, Tennessee, to compete in the prestigious International Blues Competition. The band, which hails from Willow Spring, NC, has an unmistakable, electrifying chemistry, with the individual members having earned the respect of musical peers and audiences alike. So c’mon out and catch the ‘Rails, as they pay tribute to the many musicians who have influenced their one-of-a-kind style.

8:30-10:00pm - Will McBride Group... Imagine combining smooth jazz, edgy rock, rhythmic latin, catchy pop, upbeat funk, and deep-felt soul in a single package. Will and his band members love the crowd, love the performance, and most of all, love the music. Jazz-influenced rock & pop. Jazzier John Mayer, funkier Steely Dan, edgier Stevie Wonder, more vocal Santana... Four CDs of original music...you get the picture. Over 10,000 Spotify streams. Don't miss out on seeing the Will McBride Group perform!

Sunday, May 27

All scheduled acts and performance times are approximate and may adjust due to other programming.

10:00am - All who are interested are invited to attend a non-denominational service organized and led by several Fuquay-Varina churches.

3:00-4:00pm | School of Rock (Cary)... At School of Rock Cary, they believe as much in the power of the band as they do in the thrill of a killer solo act. They bring kids and the community together to create excellent performers who learn from cool, real life experiences in the world of music. Their performance - based approach amps up students for serious fun and serious success. Be sure to join the students as they Rock the RE/MAX Stage.

4:15-5:30pm | Bender Street... Bender Street is a hybrid-collective of talented musicians able to perform many styles of popular music. When performing live they seriously pack a punch and are noted for their impassioned songs about love, strife and everyday life-isms. 'YOU ROCK' is Bender Street's motto. It's all about a great mix of soul-bending tunes providing a riveting experience for their audience & fans. Check out Bender Street at Freedom Balloon Fest 2018.

6:00-7:00pm | McCullers Crossroad... It's a muggy fall night in a small southern town. The moon is high above as two figures appear at a crossroads. One carrying a guitar, and both unaware of the road that lies ahead. Before they know it, a bond has been formed that no one can break, and music pours out into the air like nothing that's been heard before.

But this isn't Mississippi, and there is no selling of souls. In front of you stand two childhood friends, with a lifelong bond strengthened by unadulterated talent and a passion for music that seeps into every note they sing. And with every soulful breath it's clear that Josh Pepper and Beth Tyler embody the true legend of the crossroads. Welcome to McCullers Crossroad.

7:15-8:15pm | Tim Cifers... Tim Cifers is an American country music artist. Tim and his band are on a mission to keep country, "country"! Growing up on a rural farm in North Carolina, and being raised on country favorites like George Strait and Conway Twitty, Tim Cifers has a strong traditional country influence, and appreciation for it. Tim has appeared on several national vocal contests including Fox’s The X Factor USA where he performed for star judges, Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and LA Reid. With several impressive performances he won over the judges, producers, audiences of millions, and even one guest judge, Rhianna. Tim finished 5th in the men’s category giving him an overall finish in the top 20 of 200,000 contestants.

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8:30-10:00pm | Johnny Orr... Johnny Orr Band is back for an encore performance.

North Carolina is known for the creative musical talent it has sent to the world stage, and Raleigh’s Johnny Orr Band (JOB) is on its way to seeing its name added to the list of renowned contemporary Country acts. Formed in 2007 by dynamic vocalist and main songwriter Johnny Orr, guitarist/vocalist Gino Latarulo and bassist/vocalist Jack Getz, later adding drummer Bill Eagen, dobro/slide Ricky Keen, and lead guitars Chad Lister. JOB has opened for Kenny Chesney, the Zac Brown Band, Little Big Town, Gretchen Wilson, Parmalee, Cole Swindell, Tyler Farr, Jason Michael Carroll and more. In 2012 the band won the prestigious American Country Star talent competition in Nashville, starting a buzz that has opened the doors for the band to take its career to the next level with its new EP, DOWN SOUTH. Catch JOB Saturday, May 26, 2018 and Sunday, May 27 for an encore performance at 2018 Freedom Balloon Fest.

Kudos & Credits...

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Many thanks to our dedicated Stage Manager/Booker/Organizer/Green Room Manager & Volunteer Emcee Mike Roberts. Mike will be helping to keep things organized on and off stage with the help of others, but Mike has gone above and beyond AGAIN this year. Mike does it because he loves to serve others. Thanks for your continued service Mike! #truerockstar

Mike is supported by our technical, sound & light team experts at 12th State Productions. Bravo!

And the stage doesn't come together without... The Stage. Thanks to the guys custom fabricated the RE/MAX Stage with our event in mind. Fuquay-Varina's own Modern Metalworx custom fabricated stage trailer.