By Barry Courter

bcourter@timesfreepress.com

Little Richard will close out Riverbend 2009, headlining the main Coca-Cola Stage on June 13, according to talent and production coordinator Joe “Dixie” Fuller.

The festival will conclude with a fireworks display again this year, Mr. Fuller said.

The Lee Boys with The Travelin’ McCourys, appear June 11 on the Bud Light Stage, and the Last Waltz Ensemble will be here June 6 on the Unum Stage.

The announcements are the final acts to be signed for this year’s festival, set for June 5-13 at Ross’s Landing.

“We start out with Willie Nelson and end it with Little Richard,” Mr. Fuller said. “In between you’ve got the B-52s, the Commodores, Steven Curtis Chapman, Three Dog Night with the symphony, Train and Montgomery Gentry, plus the smaller side-stage acts. I think we’ve covered it all.”

Little Richard is one of rock ’n’ roll’s pioneers, having influenced everyone from The Beatles to Prince. He is known for his flamboyant personality and raucous piano playing.

Backing the Lee Boys, a black sacred steel ensemble, will be The Travelin’ McCourys, which feature Ron and Rob McCoury, sons of bluegrass legend Del McCoury.

Admission pins, which are good for all nine days of the festival, will be available for $28 at all area Mapco Mart, Favorite Market and Fast, Food and Fuel convenience stores starting April 27. Reserved Star Seating tickets are available for most Coca-Cola Stage artists.

For more info, check out www.riverbendfestival.com.