Faith, Family, and Hard Work Drive Restoration of Historic Hokes Bluff Music Site into New Bluff Amphitheater

Hokes Bluff—A trio in Etowah County is breathing new life into a longtime local entertainment landmark in Hokes Bluff. Josh Santos, Chad Lee, and Drake White were on site Monday morning at the former Gold City Music Park off Highway 278 as the Bluff Amphitheater was officially introduced during a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the Etowah Chamber of Commerce at 11 a.m.

The event marked the rebirth of a venue with deep roots in Etowah County’s music history. Once home to Gold City Music Park performances, the property had sat dormant for roughly 16 to 18 years before being cleared, restored, and re-imagined as a modern outdoor amphitheater. While it carries forward pieces of that history, the updated layout gives it a new identity, with bench seating, a covered stage, an open lawn area, and elevated hillside features including a green room and recording studio.

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The site now accommodates an estimated 6,000 to 7,000 people, includes an on-site campground, and has recently expanded its footprint with additional property acquired across the road for parking.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

The Etowah Chamber of Commerce led the ribbon cutting, bringing together community members, elected officials, and special guests, including former Major League Baseball player Steve Shields.

Hokes Bluff Mayor Scott Reeves opened the ceremony, speaking first about the significance of the property’s transformation after being left unused for 16 to 18 years and recognizing elected officials and distinguished guests in attendance before the program continued.

Pastor Mark Gidley then delivered the invocation to open the formal portion of the event.

A Vision Revived

Josh Santos, Chad Lee, and Drake White each spoke during the ceremony, sharing the story behind the project and the effort it took to bring the venue back to life.

Josh Santos expressed appreciation for the turnout and said the support from family and community members played a major role behind the scenes. He thanked local leadership from Hokes Bluff, Glencoe, Gadsden, and surrounding areas, along with community partners who helped support the effort.

Santos, who was born and raised in Hokes Bluff on Fords Valley Road, described his long connection to the property, noting that he had visited the site in earlier years while working for his father’s printing business. After moving to Nashville and later returning home following the birth of his second child, he said the opportunity to redevelop the property began to take shape.

He shared that the land had become heavily overgrown and difficult to even see in places, but said the idea continued to develop over time after reaching out to Chad Lee. The two began working through plans together, eventually joined by Drake White. Santos described the project as something that grew out of shared purpose and persistence, noting that the goal was to create something meaningful for the community. He emphasized that the effort goes beyond the ownership group and is intended to be something the community can take pride in.

The first concert is scheduled for June 6th, featuring The Frontmen, made up of Richie McDonald (formerly of Lonestar), Larry Stewart (of Restless Heart), and Tim Rushlow (formerly of Little Texas).

Drake White on Homecoming and Purpose

Drake White spoke about his connection to Hokes Bluff and the surrounding area, reflecting on growing up in the region and spending time at the original stage site with some mischievous actions.  He shared memories tied to the property and spoke about the opportunity to pursue a career in Nashville, while noting that returning home has given him a renewed appreciation for the area. White, who played football at Hokes Bluff, even said he was thankful for Glencoe’s support. Raising a little fun at the long time rivalry between the two schools.

White described the transformation of the property from an overgrown site to what it has become today, crediting the effort behind the redevelopment. He spoke about faith as a guiding factor in the project and referenced early moments spent on the land walking and praying through what it could become.

He compared the vision for the Bluff Amphitheater to some of the most recognized music venues in the country while emphasizing the importance of building something rooted in the local community. White said the goal is to create a place where meaningful experiences and memories can be made, and noted his appreciation for the risk taken by those involved in bringing the project forward. He also said he plans to use his music connections in Nashville to help bring quality entertainment to the venue moving forward.

White was kind enough to take a moment to speak with WEIS radio, and encourage people to come out for the venues first event:

Partnership and Closing Thoughts

Chad Lee noted that the final piece of the project came together over time and that reaching out to Drake White helped solidify the direction of the venture.

Mayor Scott Reeves closed with remarks encouraging continued community support as the venue moves forward. He noted that while the major work to restore the property has been completed, ongoing success will depend on public involvement and helping to spread the word as the Bluff Amphitheater begins hosting events.