THE SOUND OF RIVERFEST: RIVERFEST MUSIC

This weekend's Riverfest offers a musical potpourri that includes the rock group Rare Earth as well as country singer Joy Lynn White.

Rare Earth will headline the entertainment Friday night. The concert is scheduled for 9:30 p.m.

An established name in the music industry, Rare Earth recently returned to the tour circuit with their special blend of blues and soul, mixed with heavy brass and percussion.

Rare Earth's rock 'n' roll roots date back to the 1960s. The group disbanded in 1975, but has since regrouped.

The seven-member group includes three original members: saxophonist Gil Bridges, percussionist Ed Guzman and lead guitarist Ray Monette.

In its history, Rare Earth has played over 3,000 concerts. The group performed on the "Ed Sullivan Show," and "Dick Clark's American Bandstand." It also has performed with Jimi Hendrix, Sly and the Family Stone and Ike and Tina Turner.

Rare Earth's hits include "Hey Big Brother," "Losing You," "Get Ready" and "I Just Want to Celebrate."

White, described by some as the new contender for the crown of hillbilly queen, will perform at 7:15 p.m. Saturday.

White's first album was "Between Midnight and Hindsight."

Her second album, "Wild Love," takes her freewheeling Southern country style a step further.

Born in Turrell, Ark., and reared in Indiana, White played in a band in high school.

At the age of 19, she headed for Nashville in a used Gremlin with $200 and a lot of hope.

While earning a living shining shoes, she began singing on demo tapes on Music Row.

In 1993, she was nominated for the New Female Vocalist award by the Academy of Country Music. She has spent the last year touring with country stars such as George Jones and Ricky Van Shelton.

Her songs include "Too Gone to Care," "Whiskey, Lies and Tears," "Burning Memories," and "I am Just a Rebel."

Other entertainers on the Riverfest schedule are the Cape Girardeau Municipal Band, which will perform at 6:45 p.m. Friday, and the Acme Blues Band, which will perform at 8 p.m. Friday.

Saturday evening, the Sitze Brothers, a bluegrass trio from Fredericktown, will perform. Also, on the schedule is Stevie and His Fiddle. Stevie is Steve Schaffner, orchestra director at Cape Girardeau Central High School.