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Blackout Betty brings families
together at Atlanta Fall Festival
[September 16, 2025]
The 75th annual Atlanta Fall
Festival kicked off Friday night, September 12, with a performance
by Blackout Betty, a central Illinois rock band with seasoned
musicianship and crowd-friendly energy. Despite the late-summer heat
still lingering in the air, the band drew a lively audience into
downtown Atlanta for the milestone celebration.
Blackout Betty is a relatively new project, but its members are far
from new to the stage. Lead vocalist Erica Ross has been performing
since childhood, while her husband, guitarist Doug Ross, has spent
forty-five years honing his craft. He is also a local to the area,
and grew up in Mclean.
Together with Jimmy Birkey on acoustic and lead guitar, and
supporting players including Marty Davis and Kelley Bohm, the group
brings over 25 years of collective experience to their live shows
That experience was evident throughout Friday night’s set, which
balanced classic rock influences with a modern edge. The crowd
danced, clapped, and sang along as the band worked through their
setlist, often pausing to engage with fans. For the Rosses, the
project is both a creative partnership and a personal one. “It’s
cool to play music and be married to your best friend,” one of them
said. “To do it all together—it’s just great”
The performance was not just about the music, but also about the
sense of community it created. One of the night’s most memorable
moments came when a young boy, Blake, ran onto the stage
mid-performance. Instead of escorting him off, lead singer Erica
Ross welcomed him warmly and let him stay by her side for the song.
For Blake’s father, Chris Boyer, the gesture was unforgettable.
“We’re up here at the Atlanta Fall Festival and the band up there
was so amazing to let my son Blake up on stage,” Boyer said. “My son
Hunter is just having a blast dancing and just having a good time,
and that’s what it’s about. It’s what America’s about—it’s about
coming together and having a good time, and praising each other and
loving each other. It touched me so hard I had tears in my eyes”
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That moment underscored Blackout Betty’s commitment to making
their shows welcoming and family-oriented. “It’s always about
the kids,” Erica explained, noting how important it is to bring
music into young people’s lives.
Their journey included a short break when the Ross family
welcomed a new baby, but they have since returned to the stage
with renewed energy.
For Atlanta residents, the festival’s diamond anniversary was an
occasion to reflect on tradition, community, and resilience.
Blackout Betty’s performance tied those themes together with a
soundtrack that appealed to multiple generations
As the final chords echoed into the warm September night, one
thing was clear: Blackout Betty had delivered on their promise.
With decades of combined experience and a deep connection to
both their craft and their audience, the band ensured that the
75th Atlanta Fall Festival would be remembered not just for its
milestone, but for the music—and moments—that brought the
community together.
[Sophia Larimore]
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