THOMASVILLE — Levi Knop was only 18-years-old when he was fatally struck by another driver on his way to school. However, he will never be forgotten.

The Live Like Levi Foundation will be hosting their fourth annual Legend Music Festival on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at the Ritz Amphitheater to honor Levi’s life and his love of music. The festival will also raise money for the Levi Knop Memorial Scholarship.

Set to headline the music festival is returning band, GrandVille.

GrandVille originally played at the festival back in 2021 at the Fairgrounds and is excited to be returning for such a worthy cause.

“I never knew him personally,” said lead singer Jackson Tennyson. “I regret not knowing him, because from everything I’ve heard he sounded like a great guy.”

Tennyson said he and his band are especially honored to play for the crowd in Thomasville and support Levi’s family, while promoting awareness for drunk driving and the detrimental effects it can have on family and friends.

“I think our band attracts a lot of college-age kids, so I think this narrative is super important for them to hear,” Tennyson said.

Tennyson’s father, Glenn Tennyson, of the Kinchafoonee Cowboys, previously played at the Legend Music Festival, so Jackson is happy to continue in his footsteps promoting music and commemorating the life of Levi.

Jackson was the age of Levi when he began creating music with his friends at his home in Albany, Georgia.

“With my dad being in the Kinchafoonee Cowboys, we always grew up around music,” he said. “There was always instruments around and we had a fascination, but it was never forced upon us.”

Soon enough, Jackson and his twin brother, James formed their own band, GrandVille, which included their two friends, Sam Yarborough and Ashton Mann.

“Our keyboardist had never even played the keyboard,” Jackson said. “I didn’t know much, so I taught him all I knew how and we went from there.”

Jackson said people may often hear them bickering, but it is because they truly do everything together, even live together in a home in Athens, Georgia, claiming it adds to the chemistry.

“We are constantly together just chilling and writing lyrics,” Jackson said. “I want us to be like the Beatles.”

Much like the Beatles in their early days, GrandVille has played at local venues, including the Georgia Theatre, where Jackson’s dad holds a record for the most sold-out shows.

But, the Legend Music Festival will be unlike other concerts, as they debut their new song, titled “Campaign song.” The performance will come only one week after their second single “Counting Colors” debuts in their self-titled album on Friday.

To hear GrandVille, along with other performers such as, Far2Fresh and the Stews, purchase tickets on livelikelevi.org. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door or those interested can pay $125 for VIP perks.

Jackson encourages everyone to come out to the Ritz on Saturday, May 6 to celebrate the life of Knop, while enjoying a well-put-on event, full of food and drink vendors.