Rock music, bourbon and man food

Construction began Monday for the Louder Than Life festival, a two-day "Rock, Whiskey, and Gourmet Man Food Festival" on River Road this weekend.

Featuring popular rock acts such as Korn, Kid Rock, Judas Priest and Stone Temple Pilots, the event is also a celebration of bourbon, whiskey and food. Festival organizers are expecting about 20,000 people to cross through the gates daily.

Festival owner Danny Wimmer said he fell in love with the people of Louisville on a trip here while working on his own brand of bourbon.

Wimmer, who owns other music festivals, said he felt Louisville needed one centered around rock music. "What goes good with bourbon is rock 'n' roll," he said. Wimmer said Louisville Metro Government's collaboration has been one of the main factors that brought the festival to fruition here.

This is the first year for Louder Than Life, and organizers don't intend for it to be the last. "We hope to be here for 20 plus years," Wimmer said.