Saxon, Armored Saint To Play ProgPower USA Kick Off Show, D.C. Cooper Pulls Out

D.C. Cooper, vocalist for Royal Hunt, has pulled out of the ProgPower USA Kick off show in Atlanta, GA, set for September 10th at Center Stage, citing an undisclosed reason. Just today, it was revealed on Saxon's Facebook Page that the band along with Armored Saint will replace Cooper and play with previously announced acts Dragonland and Almah. The official announcement from Swordlord Productions and ProgPower USA was expected for noon EST today.

The pull out does not affect Cooper's performance of Royal Hunt on the main festival roster. The statement reads: "It is with great disappointment and sadness the we are announcing the cancellation of the DC Cooper solo performance at the 2105 Atlanta ProgPowerUSA Kick-Off Party on Sept. 10th 2015.. Due to circumstances beyond his control, or anyone elses control, DC Cooper had to make this tough decision to withdraw from the Kick-Off Concert. Hopefully, we will be able to elaborate more on the situation in the near future. But,at this time, this is all the information we have.

"DC Cooper wishes to convey the following message,...'I want to thank everyone involved for their professionalism and enthusiasm that helped bring this together up to this point. Nathan Block and his festival team, Dave Watson, Kenny Porter Julian Nieser, and many others! Thank you, and my sincere apologies! Especially my warmest Thanks to the fans and friends who were to attend. Your support is never-ending and much appreciated!'"

"DCE/Studio747 wants to also convey. The ProgPower USA performance of Royal Hunt on Sept. 12th, 2015 WILL NOT BE AFFECTED!, in any way at all. Royal Hunt will perform their highly acclaimed and successful album, 'Paradox' in its entirety on Saturday night! This still will be a performance that should not be missed!

"One last note,....The DC Cooper solo cd with TEAM DC is in full swing and coming along nicely with incredible results! The TEAM hopes to have an early fall release if all goes well. The team has been working tirelessly on the production, and it has now become the highest priority!
"Thank you all so much once again to everyone! I will see you in Atlanta,...still,...for PPGUSA2015!"

ProgPower USA is in its sixteenth year and will take place from September 9-12, 2015 in Atlanta. The revised roster of events is:

Wednesday, September 9th - "Mid-Week Mayhem" (@ The Loft in Center Stage):

Evergrey
Voyager (AUS)
Ashes of Ares (replacing While Heaven Wept, who pulled out)
Halcyon Way

Thursday, September 10th - "Kick-Off Show" (@ Center Stage):

Saxon
Armored Saint
Dragonland
Almah

Friday, September 11th - "ProgPower USA, Day 1" (@ Center Stage:

Falconer
Anathema
Voyager (AUS)
Morgana Lefay
Anubis Gate
Hibria

Saturday, September 12th - "ProgPower USA, Day 2" (@ Center Stage):

Angra (Performing "Holy Land" in its entirety)
Royal Hunt (Performing "Paradox" in its entirety)
Riverside
Dynazty (Performing "Renatus" in its entirety)
Persefone
Helker