MORRISTOWN — Blame My Roots Fest, which held its inaugural country music event last July, today announced that Neal McCoy will be the Friday evening closer for the 2020 event.

McCoy, a crowd favorite and staple at many Jamboree In The Hills concerts, will return to Belmont County next summer.

Blame My Roots Fest 2019 boasted 28 acts, including Trace Adkins, Joe Diffie, Tyler Farr, Whiskey Myers, Ryan Hurd, Gabby Barrett, Lindsey Ell and many local and acoustic artists. But even amid that star-studded lineup, concert-goers questioned McCoy’s absence.

“When we started looking at artists for 2019, Neal McCoy was at the top of our list,” said Chris Dutton, Blame My Roots Fest event coordinator. “With the uncertain future of Jamboree In The Hills pushing us back a few months, however, Neal was unfortunately already booked by the time we started putting our plans together.”

Nevertheless, both Chris and his sister, Nina, heard the persistent requests of concert attendees last July and vowed to bring McCoy to the 2020 edition. To date, the Blame My Roots Fest team has visited with the country music superstar twice and said he has been very candid about his excitement to come back to the Ohio Valley.

“Obviously this is my first time working with Neal and his team, and they have been complete gentlemen,” Dutton shared. “They are eager to help us promote Blame My Roots Fest 2020 and overly supportive and hopeful for a great second year.”

McCoy is the first of several artist announcements to follow in the coming weeks.

Blame My Roots Fest 2020 is slated for July 16-18 at Valley View Campgrounds, located east of Morristown along U.S. 40. It will again include camping and a lineup of national and local acts performing on two stages, all while remaining BYOB. Tickets go on sale Dec. 2 at blamemyrootsfestival.com.