Grammy-nominated multi-instrumentalist David Crowder comes to Double H Farms on Saturday, July 6, to headline STAR Fest 2024, a full-day of music and events designed to inspire, comfort, and lead people through the power of Christ.

In getting the message across, Crowder will be helped out by fellow contemporary Christian artists Canvas, Caleb & John, Blessing Offor, and Doe. 

From stage to Farm

What began humbly as STAR Stage at the annual Three Rivers Festival at Headwaters Park in 2010 has blossomed into a festival of its own. 

As the event has grown, it has required increasingly larger venues, moving from Headwaters to Sweetwater Performance Pavilion in 2022, then Memorial Coliseum the following year. 

STAR Fest 2024 will be in a different place yet again, making a big move north to Double H Farms in Hamilton. 

It is a venue STAR 88.3 CEO/President Melissa Montana said is perfect for everything they have planned. 

“We were excited about Double H Farms. First, because (owners) Justin and Hester (Stouder) reached out to us and wanted to do Christian music at their beautiful location,” she said. “Taking it back outside this year feels like we’re going back to our original idea and the excitement of being outdoors in the summer, although we’re taking a leap of faith with no covered areas at all. 

“Being at Double H Farms will have a cool festival vibe, and we love the opportunity to reach people that are at the lakes in the summer,” she added. “They can just come down the road a little way and have a great night of inspiring music that will also make them want to dance.”

Montana said STAR Fest is more than a celebration of Christian music. She said it is a way to give back to the community, with the hopes that attendees will find encouragement in a world full of pain. 

“We purposely are creating a space with music and fun for a diverse crowd,” she said. “We want everyone to feel welcome and know that whoever you are, whatever you’ve done, you are invited to this event. It’s life-changing. We’ve heard that over and over all these years, and we feel like this new location and this lineup of artists will be something you won’t forget for years to come.” 

Telling a 3-part story

With nearly 30 years of recording history, Crowder has a long list of hits to his credit, both with the David Crowder Band and under the Crowder moniker. 

Solo since 2012, Crowder has continued making inspirational music and is on tour in support of his recently released album The Exile, which has yielded the No. 1 single “Grave Robber” along with the hit single “— [DASH],” featuring TobyMac. 

Described as incredibly perceptive and timely, the 12 tracks on The Exile are the second installment of a trilogy that began with 2022’s Milk & Honey. 

In explaining the trilogy, Crowder told CCM Magazine that he signs his recording contracts in threes, “so I figure if I’m signing my name to something, I ought to know what I’m doing. So, with this cycle we have ‘Promise,’ ‘Exile’ and ‘Return.’ That was my outline of what I’m trying to say overall. 

“On the ‘Promise’ side of things we’ve got that Milk & Honey and this one is our Empire Strikes Back phase.”

With The Exile, Crowder said, he really wanted to make songs that came out of stories, “not necessarily singer-songwriter songs, but songs that came out of conversations and, ‘What does it mean to live here and now,’ and cultural moments that seem as bleak and difficult as you could ever script out. 

“Could we imagine it could get worse than 2020,” he asked. “No. But every day there seems like something pops up that makes you say, ‘Gosh, what is going on in the world?’ I wanted songs that expressed the feeling of that but were hopeful.” 

Beyond music

With an icon like Crowder at the event, most attendees will, of course, be coming for the music. However, Montana said, the night is also planned as a “night of rescue.”

“We are saving girls out of harm’s way with Destiny Rescue that night,” she said of the group with a mission of saving children from exploitation and human trafficking.

“There will be a story presentation and an opportunity for people to get involved in saving the lives of girls that are praying for someone to rescue them from a horrible, abusive situation,” she said. “Coming to this concert will be encouraging, but it will be life-saving also for these precious lives.”

Also planned for the night is a prayer tent with a team of people dedicated to praying with attendees who are dealing with depression, anxiety, marriage issues, or other life problems. 

“It’s a safe place to come, and every year miracles happen,” she said. 

In addition, there will be food trucks on site to satisfy those who desire some local cuisine along with activities like axe throwing, dancing, giveaways, and a fireworks finale. 

The music begins at 5 p.m. with Canvas, a DJ who has exploded on social media the past year, reaching nearly 2 million followers. He will be followed by Caleb & John, who will show off their infectious debut single “Hallelujah Feeling.” 

The impressive Doe and Blessing Offor, an artist Montana said “is very special,” appeal to a diverse listening audience with a message of hope that is clear. 

“Even if you don’t know any of these artists, you could come and be blown away by the talent, the sincerity of each artist and be amazed at how they touch your life,” Montana said. “These artists are the perfect entrée to the finale, and we know no one will be disappointed. 

“If you want to remember what you did this summer, this event is unforgettable.”