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In 2022, vocal-trio “Chapel Hart” wowed judges and won the coveted “Golden Buzzer” award on America’s Got Talent. Later that year, the group performed at the 37^th Annual Natchez Balloon Festival, this time winning over Natchez, as members were presented with the key to the city by Mayor Dan Gibson and thunderous applause from the crowd.

This month, the group will return to Natchez for the 39^th Annual Balloon Festival, and if the hype on social media is any indicator, Chapel Hart can expect another warm welcome from festival-goers.

And the love goes both ways, lead singer and songwriter for Chapel Hart, Danica Hart, shared in an interview recently how excited they were to return

“When we pulled up on the grounds, you could just feel it in the air. There are very few places you step off the bus and go ‘Man, this feels like home’ – and Natchez is absolutely one of those places.”

Home for Danica is Poplarville – a small city of about 2,800, located just under three hours from Natchez. Chapel Hart is a family band, comprised of Danica Hart, her sister Devynn Hart, and her cousin, Trea Swindle. According to Danica, the band was formed when all three members were between jobs. “I said, You know what? If I’m ever gonna be a singer, this is it,” she said.

But of course, Chapel Hart is just one of the amazing acts taking the stage at this year’s festival. While the girls will be performing at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, just before them will be Eric Gales, legendary blues rock guitarist. Gales’ style has been compared to that of Jimi Hendrix, and B.B King, among others. He started playing in Blues competitions at just 15, being hailed as a child prodigy.

He has something in common with the 2 p.m. act that Saturday, Taj Farrant. The Australian guitarist, described as a “child guitar prodigy” and “natural born musical savant” may only be 15 years old, but he’s not to be taken lightly. Taj was mastering complex arrangements like Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb” at the age of 9 years old – blindfolded. He has quite a following in the land down under and has amassed over 1 million likes on social media.

Celebrating local music is an important part of the balloon festival’s music lineup, and in that spirit, Saturday starts out with The Lincoln Outfit. The South-Mississippi based band has been playing around Brookhaven, Natchez, and beyond for years, and has built a loyal following, their distinct Americana sound should be a great way to kick off the day.

Rounding out the lineup Saturday will be The Heartshakers: A Tom Petty Experience. As the name implies, they’re a Tom Petty tribute band, and a good one at that. If you like Tom Petty (who doesn’t) you should be pleasantly surprised.

Friday evening features just one band, but they bring more than enough energy to last well into the night. The Chee-Weez are a five-piece ‘80s tribute band from New Orleans specializing in good times.

The music is all part of the 39^th Annual Natchez Balloon Festival, which takes place this weekend. Tickets, schedules, and more info are available at www.natchezballoonfestival.com!

This article was written by Michael Wilson.