Zac Brown Band and Lionel Richie
to Headline the 2018 JAS Labor Day Experience

3-Day Pass On-Sale Mon, Dec. 18

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Aspen, CO, December 15, 2017 – Following a record setting year in 2017, which saw the first ever two-night advance sell-out in JAS history, the organization has announced two headliners and supporting acts for the 2018 JAS Labor Day Experience. Multiplatinum Grammy-award winning artists the Zac Brown Band will return to JAS, following sold-out stadium shows at Denver’s Coors Field and Chicago’s Wrigley Field during the band’s 50-market ‘WELCOME HOME Tour.” Also headlining, Lionel Richie will make his first ever Aspen/Snowmass appearance in one of only a handful of shows he’ll perform outside of his Las Vegas residency next year.

Opening acts that have been confirmed include local favorite Michael Franti and Spearhead, and a return of the high-energy band Fitz and the Tantrums. Additional opening acts, along with the final headliner, will be announced later this winter, along with the specific days and times that each artist will be performing.

“JAS Blind Faith passes sold-out in a record five hours this year and we anticipate similar demand for the three day pass given the great line-up of artists and momentum from last year’s event,” says JAS President Jim Horowitz. “The word is out, audiences have confidence in the stellar annual artist line-up combined with the experience of hearing these artists in this spectacular alpine venue. And there’s still one more surprise headliner to join the bill!”

Three-day Early Bird event passes at $219.95 will be on-sale Monday, December 18th beginning at 9am mst. Early Bird single day tickets will go on-sale at a later date. All sales are based on availability, with an increase in prices later this winter.

Passes can be purchased at 866-JAS-TIXX (527-8499), www.jazzaspensnowmass.org or at the Belly Up Box Office in Aspen, www.bellyupaspen.com (544-9800). In addition to the 3-day general admission pass JAS will also be selling the 3-Day Deck Passes which include complimentary grille fare, private restrooms and a private bar with complimentary beer, wine and a daily cocktail.

Patron (VIP) 3-day passes will also be available on Monday at www.jazzaspensnowmass.org or by calling 970.920.4996. Patron passes include parking, afternoon grille fare, live cooking stations, gourmet dinner and dessert, premium open bars and are substantially tax-deductible. JAS is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization that has contributed over $7 million to music education programs since 1996.

Billboard calls Zac Brown Band “one of the biggest success stories…over the past decade.” The three-time Grammy-winning multi-platinum artists have sold more than 25 million singles and eight million albums. They have developed a reputation with critics and fans alike for a live show marked by strong musicianship that defy genre boundaries.

International superstar Lionel Richie is one of only two songwriters in history to achieve the honor of having #1 records for nine consecutive years. With more than 100 million albums sold worldwide, an Oscar, a Golden Globe, four Grammy Awards, the distinction of MusicCares 2016 Peron of the Year, and 2017 Kennedy Center Honoree, the Tuskegee, Alabama native is a true music icon.

Fitz and the Tantrums returns to JAS after last opening for Hozier in 2015. Since then the band has released their third, self-titled album featuring the hit singles “HandClap,” and “Fool.” The Washington Post called Fitz and the Tantrums’ live show “captivatingly crazy” and Rolling Stone praised the band for its “irrepressible energy: hopped-up rhythms, shout-it-out choruses, and hooted background vocals.”

Michael Franti, whose last JAS appearance was in 2012, is recognized as a pioneering force in the music industry. Franti believes in using music as a vehicle for positive change and is revered for his high-energy live shows, inspiring music, and worldwide philanthropy efforts. He is currently writing and recording his 10th studio album, scheduled for release in 2018.

The 2018 JAS June Experience will return to the Benedict Music Tent on June 22-23 with line-up announcements to be made shortly.

For more information on JAS Aspen Snowmass please contact the JAS Office at 920-4996 or visit www.jazzaspensnowmass.org.

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JAS Press Contact: Andrea Beard (970) 920-4996 or


For more information on Zac Brown Band please contact Rebecca Shapiro () or Nina Lee () at Shore Fire Media, 718-522-7171