Everyone knows Ribfest is essentially one giant classic rock-a-thon. In addition to all the barbecue, you're definitely going to get a lot of solid gold FM rock singles. 

In 2008, the lineup included Styx, the Doobie Brothers and Asia. In 2007, it was the Edgar Winter Band and Foreigner's Lou Gramm. In 2006, it was the Guess Who and the Marshall Tucker Band. And so forth and so on, year in and year out, until the beginning of time.

We heard this year's headliners included George Thorogood and the Destroyers and Blue Oyster Cult. Both cool -- we can always use more bourbon, scotch, beer and cowbell, not necessarily in that order -- but still, it's more of the same. Classic rock, baby, all the way.

But wait! What's this? This year's Ribfest headliners include some musicians who might be familiar to people under age 40!

Morningwood, above, and Aussie rockers Jet will perform on the first night of Ribfest, and the Zac Brown Band and Big Kenny from Big and Rich will perform on the last day.

Jet's the best-known of the bands, thanks to the success of songs like Are You Gonna Be My Girl and Cold Hard Bitch. But we're still suckers for the dumb pop shimmer of Morningwood's Nth Degree. And we all know Big Kenny is the most entertaining half of Big and Rich, but the Zac Brown Band has developed a wide range of fans, from hippies (they've played Bonnaroo) to hardcore Nashvillians (they won this year's ACM Award for Top New Group).

The point is ... can this really be the same Ribfest we've always known and (sort of) loved?

Other performers at this year's Ribfest include Damon Fowler, Gator Country, Sonia Leigh, Levi Lowrey, Nic Cowan, Suite Caroline and Amanda Drake and the Barnburners. 

Ribfest is Nov. 13-15 at Vinoy Park in St. Petersburg. Tickets are $10-$15. Click here for all the details.

-- Jay Cridlin, tbt*