Dubuque's next America's River Festival should have a decidedly "American Idol" feel.
The city's annual family bash at the Port of Dubuque is expected to feature country star Kellie Pickler, booked to headline Friday, June 13, of the three-day festival.
Pickler, a bubbly blonde standout on Fox television's popular "American Idol" in 2006, has become a rising star on the country music circuit.
The beauty school dropout moved to Nashville, Tenn., released an album, and was nominated for a new female vocalist award at the Academy of Country Music Awards.
Her debut album "Small Town Girl" produced three singles on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. The album's more notable songs include the smash hit "Red High Heels" and "I Wonder."
"She's really very much an up-and-coming artist in the country music world," said Keith Rahe, coordinator of the America's River Festival. "We're extremely happy to have her solidified for that Friday night."
Festival organizers have yet to ink the headliners for the remainder of the event's weekend run,
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He confirmed the entertainment committee is pursing 1970s and '80s power rock band Foreigner, but nothing is "solidified" at this point.
Rahe said organizers also went after teen stars the Jonas Brothers, and apparently Dubuque had a good shot at landing the popular band.
"Then the No. 1 promoter in America made them an offer for 2008 and we couldn't compete," Rahe said.
"But our whole board and everyone is excited about Kellie Pickler leading off the weekend," he said. "Some of the feedback we've gotten from our sponsors has been tremendous."
The festival again will include the ever popular Dock Dogs competition. Rahe said Dubuque has proven to be a favorite site for the national dog jumping competition over the three-year run of the festival.
"Dock Dog competitors across the country did a vote and Dubuque was voted the top venue in 2007," he said. "That's not something to be taken lightly; they do these all over the United States."
While the Stihl Timbersports Series will take the festival off this year, Rahe said he's working with another lumberjack entertainment group. Perhaps, Rahe said, the Dock Dogs and lumberjacks will team up for a little something he bills as "Dogs and Logs."
"We're looking at doing other stuff to make it different," he said.
The schedule is expected to be finalized sometime next month, Rahe said.
