Atlanta Rock Band Drivin N Cryin to Headline Marietta's Independence Eve Concert

The free show on Marietta Square kicks off the city's Fourth in the Park weekend celebration.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 11:55am

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The Atlanta rock band Drivin N Cryin will headline Marietta's Independence Eve Concert on July 3, launching the city's annual Fourth in the Park weekend celebration. The free concert on the historic Marietta Square will feature the band's blend of Southern rock, folk, and punk influences.

Why it matters

Drivin N Cryin has been a fixture in the Southern rock scene for over 30 years, building a loyal following across the Southeast. The Independence Eve Concert is a longstanding community tradition that brings residents and visitors together for live music and patriotic festivities to kick off Marietta's Fourth of July celebrations.

The details

Formed in Atlanta in 1985, Drivin N Cryin first performed at the 688 Club and went on to earn a gold record, release nine full-length albums and several EPs. Founding members Kevn Kinney and Tim Nielsen continue to lead the band, whose history was chronicled in the 2012 documentary 'Scarred but Smarter: Life n Times of Drivin' N' Cryin'.'

  • The Independence Eve Concert will take place on Friday, July 3, 2026 from 7 to 9 p.m.
  • Marietta's Fourth in the Park weekend celebrations will follow the Independence Eve Concert.

The players

Drivin N Cryin

An Atlanta rock band that blends Southern rock, folk, and punk influences. The band was formed in 1985 and has remained a fixture in the Southern rock scene for over 30 years.

Kevn Kinney

One of the founding members of Drivin N Cryin, who continues to lead the band alongside Tim Nielsen.

Tim Nielsen

One of the founding members of Drivin N Cryin, who continues to lead the band alongside Kevn Kinney.

Marietta Parks, Recreation & Facilities

The department that announced the free Independence Eve Concert as part of Marietta's annual Fourth of July festivities.

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What they’re saying

“I'm going to 'break the fourth wall' in this paragraph, and give readers a bit of personal trivia. Kevn Kinney, one of the founders of Drivn N Cryin, and I worked in a cabinet shop together sometime in the 1980s. Cabinet shops often hired aspiring musicians, since it was a job you could drift in and out of as you went on tours. My memory of him was that he was a nice, friendly guy. I never saw them perform, but soon after his gig in the cabinet shop, his band seemed to take off.”

— Larry Felton Johnson, Author

What’s next

The Independence Eve Concert will kick off Marietta's Fourth in the Park weekend, which includes additional events and celebrations throughout the holiday weekend.

The takeaway

Drivin N Cryin's performance at the Marietta Independence Eve Concert will bring the beloved Southern rock band's signature sound to the city's longstanding Fourth of July festivities, continuing the group's legacy as a fixture in the regional music scene.