Fans of the Ponderosa Stomp were taken aback when it chose to move away from its traditional slot in the week between Jazz Fest weekends. Today, the Stomp announced its new dates and headliners.

This year, the two-day celebration of rock ‘n’ roll’s roots will take place September 24 and 25 at the House of Blues, along with the third annual daytime conference, and headliners include  guitar hero Duane Eddy, R&B singers Sugar Pie DeSanto and Joe South, trucker music singer Red Simpson, Chicano rock pioneers Thee Midniters, and garage rock band the Trashmen, who made “Surfin’ Bird” immortal.

“We feel strongly that moving the festival away from April will have a positive impact,” Stomp founder Ira “Dr. Ike” Padnos says. “The move to a weekend allows more local and regional music fans to attend without having work looming the next day. For national and international attendees, costs are significantly cheaper in the fall.”

For travel packages and hotel information, go to the Ponderosa Stomp Web site.