Alex Teller (mi) / James Gedda & the Big Breakfast
James Gedda is an up-and-coming Country and Americana singer-songwriter with a booming voice and a plainspoken honesty in his lyrics. The Crown Point, IN native has drawn comparisons to the likes of Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard with his earthy baritone, and he regularly covers such classics, but what drives him is writing songs and telling stories with modern sensibilities. He's performed in such historic venues as The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, and regularly sings all over Northwest Indiana and the Chicago area on top of having toured through Appalachia & the Southwest. He's released three locally-recorded solo acoustic EP's: Thick As Thieves, Bad Things Happen: Dynaline Sessions Vol. 1, and Hollering in a Bar, along with a pair of singles produced by Midamerican Records in Nashville, TN and is hard at work on getting his debut full-band, full-length album released. James Gedda is not an artist to miss if you're a fan of infectious melodies and affecting stories.
Alex Teller's warm, lived-in voice paired with acoustic flat-picking and travis-style guitar work creates a captivating live show, evoking memories of a distant American past. Teller's intimate and authentic storytelling compels listeners to feel something real, filling the room with tears and laughter while embracing the beauty of humanity. Alex’s songs draw inspiration from American balladeers like Townes Van Zandt, Kris Kristofferson, and Woody Guthrie, bringing a nostalgic, yet original performance.
Brandon Good
Brandon Good is a Chicago artist with a penchant for Country music. Nodding to a wide range of notable genre influences, he brings in rock n’ roll, soul, singer-songwriter, and blues into his songwriting, all while remaining true to the dance hall and honky-tonk heritage he loves. Brandon is no stranger to life on the road, having spent a decade playing with celebrated Chicago Celtic Punk outfit Flatfoot 56. During his time with the band they toured internationally and even charted on Billboard’s Heat Seekers chart. After moving to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Brandon wrote and recorded his first solo EP, breaking into the Country scene with the release of “The Anvil” and the subsequent, stripped down, two-track EP titled “The Spitzer Sessions”. With fervor and fire licks, Brandon then returned to the studio to begin recording his first full length record, “Restless”, which is set to release spring of 25’. After hosting several highly respected residencies and Booking himself and other touring bands countless shows in his home base of Chicago he’s revving up to start touring nationally and bring his songs and style to a town near you.
Zack Fedor & the Long Goodbyes//Grassfed Collective
Since 2011 Zack Fedor has been a regular feature of bars, tavern's, fairs, and festivals all across the Midwest. Playing songs and Zack Fedor is Illinois' barstool musician. Grassfed Collective is an original bluegrass/jamgrass band based out of Chicago Illinois. The group seamlessly blends traditional bluegrass feels, big harmonies, powerful original material, and driven jam sections to make every appearance special. Grassfed draws on folk, blues, funk, rock, and a wide variety of bluegrass sounds to herd their unique show. The band made their first national festival appearance at Solshine Reverie 2024 (Summer Camp Music Festival) on the same stage as Henhouse Prowlers, Armchair Boogie and many more big touring acts. Since then they have played all over Chicago and the Midwest including a near sold out show at Martyrs' along with guest sit ins from bands like Armchair Boogie, Giving Tree Band, Stan P Band and more. Come graze in the Pasture!
Goatroper//Orillia
Goatroper is a Good Timing outfit from NYC. Lead by Mike Lee and Abbey Janii - this group blends the traditions of American music with the rhythms of a Honky-Tonk night - featuring tight harmonies - infectious grooves and a sound that'll have you coming back for another helping. Their first album, Goatroper, was released in November of 2023 - 10 songs that'll have you singing and dancing along. Under his moniker Orillia, Andrew Marczak follows the long tradition of folk music’s more progressive stewards, commanding audiences with his unique bracing tenor and skeletal arrangements. His debut self-titled record, which was tracked completely live, acoustic, and straight to tape at Jamdek Recording Studios in his hometown of Chicago, marries the quotidian poetry of Sam Shepard with sparkling 90s alt country. With his various projects, including Toadvine and the Roof Dogs (Earth Libraries), Andrew has shared stages across the Midwest with artists like shame, dehd, Richard Lloyd (of Television), Lavender Country, Country Westerns, Tobacco City, Vundabar, and Fred Armisen. His song "No One" was featured on the soundtrack of the film Poser, which premiered at Tribeca Film Festival in New York City in 2021.
Meg & the Wheelers// Lydia Cash
Meg & The Wheelers are a country western band from Chicago, Illinois, formed by songwriter Meg Sampson in 2018. Their distinct sound draws on the rich history of country music, with influences ranging from Margo Price to Loretta Lynn. Meg & The Wheelers craft a unique & exciting spin on the music that made them, combining modern lyrics with traditional melodies, weaving tales of love & loss that feel both fresh & timeless.
Listening to Lydia Cash’s newest EP, “Blush,” feels almost like reading a secret– the five songs are beacons of authenticity where she reveals the innermost workings of her heart’s loves and losses. Each song is a unique confessional, a portrait of a moment in time, poured out of her like the best bottle of wine on a back porch. Heartache, new romance, and introspection are all common themes that are held together with threads of vulnerable moments– a shared cigarette, a head on a shoulder. Her delicate melodies, enrapturing voice, and a pedal steel twang showcase this native Alabamian/Chicago transplant’s dichotomy of grit and sweetness Instagram: @Lydia_cash
Lawrence Peters Outfit
Lawrence Peters Outfit
The Lawrence Peters Outfit play un-ruined country music, a term Lawrence coined to describe the band’s original, deep-rooted, honky tonk sound. They are 2019 and 2018 Ameripolitan Award nominees, in the Best Honky Tonk Group category, two time winners of the “Best Country And Western Entertainer” trophy (Chicago Music Awards), and “Best Country Band” in The Chicago Reader’s “Best Of 2022” poll. Their LP “What You Been Missin’” is cited as one of the essential Chicago country and folk albums, in Mark Guarino’s 2023 book “Country & Midwestern” (University Of Chicago Press). Lawrence may be best known for his lead vocal on “The Old Black Hen”, on Jason Molina’s watershed "Songs: OHIA- Magnolia Electric Company" album. Peters leads the "Outfit" through his own finely crafted originals and cherry-picked classics. The band is a super-group of Chi-Town pickers, including Matt Gandurski on lead guitar, John Huber on rhythm guitar, and Josh Piet on upright bass.
Charles Ellsworth//Thompson Springs
Charles Ellsworth
Charles Ellsworth is an NYC singer-songwriter whose career has spanned decades and has taken him all over the globe. His musical journey started as a teenager, where he took lessons in the back of a guitar store in Arizona. Shortly after, Ellsworth became the bass player for indie-pop outfit Alaska & Me. The band saw success as a regional act and toured the West Coast until their 2009 split. After moving to Salt Lake City, Ellsworthbegan to write his own music and quickly found a home in the burgeoning local Americana scene. Over the next five years, he released multiple solo albums and an E.P. During that time, Ellsworth then spent several years touring nationally and internationally as a solo artist. In 2015, he brought his red-dirt rock to Brooklyn and has since released three albums. His third LP “Honeysuckle Summer” was recorded with Joe Reinhart (Hop Along,Algernon Cadwallader). Charles Ellsworth's music has evolved with him and matured into his signature alt-country sound. In 2022, he opened for Sarah Shook & The Disarmers at renowned Americana venue, Mercury Lounge in Tulsa, OK. That night, he struck up a friendship with Disarmers guitarist Blake Tallent who he partnered with to produce his forthcoming album, "Cosmic Cannon Fodder” which is due for release May 2025. Website - www.charlesellsworthmusic.com Instagram - www.instagram.com/charles.ellsworth.music Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/31Ca3LzvrbaSP30RY36jxe?si=K-Hm_ib_TF2j_Ym4WfHu_wFacebook - www.facebook.com/charles.b.ellsworthYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/charlesellsworth
Thompson Springs
Thompson Springs is a 6 piece rock group from Chicago. Their hazy songwriting, which PBS called “western rock,” and love of the unknown, has led the band down a circuitous route playing shows across Europe, New Zealand, and the expanse of America. Detroit Public Radio (WDET) noted that they pull influences from classic songwriters, like Tom Petty, to more recent indie artists, like Kurt Vile. Thompson Springs started working with Wilco’s Pat Sansone for their debut album, Undertones, which they released on Dropped Beauty Recordings in 2020. 2025 brings a new album, Vol. 1, and a European tour with Nikki Hill and The Pink Stones. Instagram @thompsonsprings
Alma Russ (NC) // Gold Dust
Alma Russ
“The sound of Alma Russ is less an attempt at impersonation, and more an amalgam of many great singers of country and roots interwoven into an original approach…”- Trigger, Saving Country Music. Alma lives in Mill Spring, NC, when she’s not on the road. Her sound is a mix of country gold, Appalachian tradition, and Americana soul. As a child, she fell in love with classic country when she saw The Country Bear Jamboree at Disney World. She became interested in Appalachian culture and music, started learning historic Scotch-Irish murder ballads, and took up fiddle at 12. Banjo and guitar followed, and then she made friends with a hobo who taught her to write songs, so that's what she keeps doing. Music has taken her lots of places, from the hometown bars, to church, to the highways, and she’s been bumming around the country playing her songs since she was 19. She spent a while performing as an entertainer on the passenger train in Bryson City, NC, and once she wound up getting 3 yeses from ABC's American Idol Judges on Season 1 and being sent to Hollywood, CA. She also recorded a critically acclaimed album in an abandoned church in the West Texas desert. Her influences include John Prine, Gillian Welch, Patty Griffin, Nanci Griffith, Townes Van Zandt, Emmylou Harris, Lucinda Williams, Dolly Parton, among others.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/always_alma/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlmaRussMusic/
Gold Dust
Childhoods on Iowa farms: feeding the cows, baling alfalfa, family secrets, and riverside fishing. These make up the songs and stories from Chicago-based Gold Dust. The collective’s debut album, Andalusia, features a coalescence of rural ballads and fervent tracks realized through a specific country haze.
Instagram: @golddust.ope Website: https://linktr.ee/golddustchi Bandcamp: https://golddustchi.bandcamp.com/
Mike Giannini & the Rhythm Rangers
Mike Giannini & the Rhythm Rangers 6-8
Original Rockabilly and Honky Tonk from Chicago
The White Saddle Band
The White Saddle Band 10-12
Prime Country, Classic Country, Country Rock, and Americana are what you'll hear from TWSB. Tight harmony and top shelf musicianship playing A songbook full of Merle, Hank, Waylon, Willie, George (Strait and Jones), Poco, Eagles, Pure Prairie League, Marshall Tucker, and many others. flintcreekmusic.com
Hannah Frey//Blue Rose
Blue Rose 8-10
Hannah Frey 10:30-12:30
Hannah Frey
Hannah Frey and her band play twangy folk rock for lovers and sweeties. She feels like the luckiest girl in Chicago and hopes it rubs off on you. You can find the band's new album, Lucky Girl, wherever you stream music.
@hannahfreylive on instagram/Facebook/Youtubehttps://hannahfrey.bandcamp.com/
Blue Rose
What if the greatest gift we could give is right here, right now?For Chicago’s Blue Rose, this isn’t just an idea; it’s a way of life. Rooted in authenticity, their music celebrates the here and now, highlighting the beauty and power of living with intentionality and presence. Describing themselves as “new country with an old soul,” the Midwestern band led by Jori Griffith and Marcus Gebauer invites listeners to embrace life as it unfolds – a theme that resonates throughout their debut album, Blue Moon.Produced by Noam Wallenberg at Rax Trax Recording, Blue Moon is as much a record about seeing our own ‘bigger picture’ as it is a reflection of Blue Rose’s story. Drawing inspiration from ‘60s and ‘70s rock icons as well as contemporary artists like Phish, Kacey Musgraves, Mt. Joy, and Lainey Wilson, Blue Rose masterfully blend influences into something uniquely their own: A little bit country and a little bit rock n’ roll, the band are as engaging on record as they are on stage, their live shows boasting an unpredictable edge.“I want people to feel like they're home when they hear us,” Jori Griffith says. “I want them to feel connected through our songs.”Blue Rose’s music radiates joy, celebrating our shared humanity while capturing real emotions and lived experiences. It’s the result of passions realized and dreams come true, and it’s an invitation for all those listening to live freely in the moment.
http://www.facebook.com/bluerosebandchicago/http://www.instagram.com/blue_rose_band/http://www.youtube.com/@bluerosebandchicago/videoshttp://www.tiktok.com/@bluerosetheband
Sara Jean Kelly (tn) // Wild Trout
Sara Jean Kelly (TN) 7-8
Wild Trout 8:30-9:30
Sara Jean Kelley
A lover of wild things— plants, animals, people, and music— Nashville native Sara Jean Kelley crafts songs that combine upbeat, pop-inspired country hooks with thoughtful, often philosophical lyrical themes that explore our human connection to the natural world. Due to her dark sensibility and slightly melancholic sense of humor, Kelley’s particular brand of alternative country is multidimensional, with one foot firmly rooted in her Nashville Country/Americana background, another foot exploring the realms of alternative rock, rock and roll, pop, and even hip hop influences. Her voice, at times husky, dark and sultry, at times floating light-as-a-feather, has been compared to celebrated female country stars Brandi Carlisle, Patti Griffin, and Lucinda Williams. She’s opened for country music icons Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell, and her songwriting reveals a clear, intuitive understanding of what makes a song work.
https://www.facebook.com/sarajeankelley https://www.instagram.com/sarajeankelley/ sarajeankelley.com
Wild Trout
Wild Trout is a country-western band from Chicago formed in the Fall of ‘24. The concrete cowboys will fill the bar and your hearts with honky tonk, chicken pickin’, and harmony filled story telling.
A Day In The Country
A Day In The Country: A full day of live country music, BBQ, home-made pie, and cold drinks!
The festival celebrates its seventeenth year with a move to Broken Hearts, Chicago's coolest new honky tonk joint.
Nashville honky tonk royalty Joshua Hedley headlines, plus rising star Nikki Morgan, road dog Pat Reedy, and a slew of local groups with a solid country and Americana core, including honky tonk, bluegrass, outlaw country, blues, and more.
Ilegal Mezcal slushies, and other drink specials with Angel’s Envy.
Dark Matter cold brew coffee.
BBQ and pie by Baby Gold.
Western Vintage Market with Apricot Vintage & Friends.
MUSIC BY: Joshua Hedly (Headliner) / Allegra Malone / Annalee Koehn & Chuck Cox / Big Sadie / Cropduster4 / Local Memory / Magic Ian / Nikki Morgan / Otter Paw String Band / Pat Reedy / The Lawrence Peters Outfit / Woodrow Hart & the Haymakers / Zack Fedor & the Long Goodbyes
Doors 12:30p
Music starts at 1pm
THIS IS A TICKETED EVENT. GET YOUR TICKETS HERE!
Wicked Drawl // The Fighting Side (stl)
Wicked Drawl
A unique experience that criss-crosses through textures of country, folk & classical while hinting at the spirit of musical theater/cabaret. The group is led by composer/arranger, Keith Kusterer and is amplified by the genre-bending vocal stylings of Christina Pecce, sonorous upright bass slaps of Jeffrey Parker and Chicago’s own virtuoso gem of a pianist/composer, Casey Cross.
@wickeddrawl www.wickeddrawl.com
The Fighting Side (Stl)
St. Louis honky-tonk rock ‘n’ roll outfit The Fighting Side is raising hell across the Midwest, and country music’s status quo better take notice. Frontman Brad Jackson lays it out plain: “We’ve all been at this a long time, just in different corners of the music world. Some of us came up on punk rock, some on bluegrass or metal, and I’m a traditional country guy with deep punk roots. It all matters.”That mix of backgrounds isn’t just for show, it’s what makes The Fighting Side’s sound hit different. Paul Johns’ walking bass lines roll like a runaway train under Jackson’s deep baritone growl, grounding the band somewhere between country and southern rock. But it doesn’t stop there. Merril Barden’s drums carry a punk and blues backbone while Seth Barnhart’s rhythms cut through it all like a honky-tonk switchblade. The result is something that’s got all the grit of country but refuses to stay inside the lines. It’s loud, it’s raw, and it sticks with you, just like a damn good song ought to.
facebook.com/thefightingsideinstagram.com/thefightingsidethefightingside.com
Nick Dittmeir & the Sawdusters // Stray Bolts
Nick Dittmeier & the Sawdusters
Nick Dittmeier & the Sawdusters are a three piece Progressive Roots Rock band from Southern Indiana. Known as one of the most prolific and hard touring bands in the Midwest, they’ve released prior albums; “Midwest Heart/ Southern Blues”, “All Damn Day”, and “Heavy Denim”. The new album, “Fast Fashion”(sonaBlast! Records), is a 4 song ep, full of characters who were developed while staring over the dash of a beat up van. Nick Dittmeier & Sawdusters will be relentlessly on the road in 2025 and beyond and releasing a new LP on Cincinnati’s Sofa Burn Records. For fans of The Band, Dire Straits, and the Old 97’s.
Stray Bolts
On the heels of their second studio album, L.A.Noir, Stray Bolts weave blues, jazz, folk, traditional country and classic rock and roll into their sound, performing both original music and unique interpretations of familiar and not so familiar songs by seminal American artists.
The Swains / Iris Marlowe
The Swains / Iris Marlowe — No tickets. No cover.
The Swains 10:30p-12:30a
Iris Marlowe 9-10p
About The Swains — The Swains, fronted by father and daughter duo Jack and Rachel, boast striking family harmonies paired with rich songwriting and classic country instrumentation. Their songwriting influences span country, southern rock, roadhouse, cosmic country, Americana, and red dirt, and reflect the Texas roots of Jack and Rachel. Their music speaks to the full range of human experience, punctuated with their signature blend of blood harmonies and heartache.
Instagram, please tag: @the.swains.band and @roxyswainWebsite: https://theswainsband.com/home
About Iris Marlowe — Iris Marlowe is an alternative-country songwriter that uses her love of classic country music to create cinematic songs that paint a southern gothic landscape. Her latest album ‘Where the Devil Bid the Owl Goodbye’ features songs driven by adrenaline and the yearning for the Wild West. Iris creates country music for the eccentrics and folks that are looking for something a little different in the country music landscape.
Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/artist/1jWFAiBC95MHgZwMe0T475?si=n2PhE_J7QEGp14lP59mH_A&dl_branch=1Social Media Links:Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/irismarlowemusic/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/iris.marlowe/?hl=enYouTube:https://youtube.com/@irismarlowe?si=76GCSRFQb4UXdOhb
Reilly Downes & the Acid Cowboys / The Devil Said Jump
Reilly Downes & the Acid Cowboys / The Devil Said Jump — No tickets. No cover.
Reilly Downes 10:30p-12:30a
The Devil Said Jump 9-10p
About Reilly Downes & the Acid Cowboys — Reilly Downes, known as the Sad Cowgirl of Chicago, is an Americana artist whose music blends heartfelt storytelling with the rich traditions of her Texas Hill Country roots. She began as a session musician in Nashville before stepping into the spotlight with her 2022 debut album, Spent, which topped Americana charts and earned acclaim from The Boot. Her haunting cover of “Wicked Game” secured radio play and a spot on Spotify’s “Vibes” playlist. After a quieter 2023, Reilly returned in 2024, sharing stages with Jaime Wyatt, Brennen Leigh, Kaitlin Butts, and Sarah Shook & The Disarmers. Described as “small but mighty,” her powerful voice and presence have earned her festival appearances and recognition in Rolling Stone. @reillydownes on instagram, www.reillydownesmusic.com
About The Devil Said Jump — The Devil Said Jump is a queer band from Chicago whose style blends the honest storytelling of cowboy country music with gut-wrenching harmonies, rock guitars, and occasional theatrics. Their influences include Loretta Lynn, the Chicks, Indigo Girls, the Avett Brothers and Brandi Carlile. You can find them running around Chicago, yelling about the current state of the world. @thedevilsaidjump (all platforms)
Moonstone Quill
Moonstone Quill — 6-8pm — No tickets. No Cover.
About:
Moonstone Quill is a Colorado-based string band that seamlessly blends bluegrass, rock, and country into a plugged-in Americana sound. Formed in 2020 by founding members Dan Shukis and Nate Spencer in Breckenridge, CO, the band has quickly gained recognition for its ability to merge traditional genres and styles with modern sonic experimentation.Drawing on the rich heritage of classic bluegrass, Moonstone Quill crafts its sound around acoustic guitar, mandolin, bass, and pedal steel guitar. Their live performances are a dynamic fusion of tight vocal harmonies, improvisation, and bold pedal effects, evoking the spirit of rock and jam bands while staying true to their traditional Americana foundation. @moonstone_quill (IG) , moonstonequill.com
Brandon Good / Pat Reedy & the Longtime Goners
Brandon Good / Pat Reedy & the Longtime Goners — No tickets. No cover.
Brandon Good - 10:30p-12:30a
Pat Reedy & the Longtime Goners 8-10p
About Brandon Good — Brandon Good is a Chicago artist with a penchant for Country music nodding to a wide range of notable genre influences while remaining true to the dance hall and honky-tonk heritage he loves. After breaking into the Country scene with the release of “The Anvil” and “The Spitzer Sessions”. He’s set to release his first full length record, “Restless”, which is set to release Fall of 24’.
About Pat Reedy & the Longtime Goners — Pat Reedy makes honest honky-tonk music for the modern world, mixing twang, blue-collar songwriting, working-class pride, and an unconventional backstory.
Dan Whitaker & The Hoyle Brothers / Gold Dust (Record Release Party)
Dan Whitaker & The Hoyle Brothers / Gold Dust (Record Release Party) — No tickets. No Cover.
Dan Whitaker — 10p-12:30a
Gold Dust —8-10p
About Dan Whitaker & The Hoyle Brothers — Songwriter Dan Whitaker is a lifelong musician with over 30 years performing and 14 albums of original songs to his name. Noted for his “smooth world-wise voice” and well-crafted tunes, he recently relocated from his longtime home Chicago to start a new chapter in Texas, where his outsider ways seem to fit right in. Whitaker’s country music is shot through with blues, jazz, and folk, a freewheeling style that takes you on a journey through life’s ups and downs with humor and insight.
IG, FB, YouTube: @danwhitakermusic; @hoylebrothers on IG, The Hoyle Brothers on FB
About Gold Dust — Childhoods on Iowa farms: feeding the cows, baling alfalfa, family secrets, and riverside fishing. These make up the songs and stories from Chicago-based Gold Dust. The collective’s debut album, Andalusia, features a coalescence of rural ballads and fervent tracks realized through a specific country haze.
Gold Dust will be releasing their new LP at the show!
Instagram: @golddust.ope
Website: https://linktr.ee/golddustchi
Bandcamp: https://golddustchi.bandcamp.com/
Sparkle Carcass / Brandon Cattle w/ The Branding Irons
Sparkle Carcass / Brandon Cattle with The Branding Irons — No tickets. No cover.
Sparkle Carcass 10:30pm-12:30am
Brandon Cattle with the Branding Irons (Peoria) 9-10pm
About Sparkle Carcass:
Sparkle Carcass Chicago Dive Bar Country sounds with Midwest Punk grit - Sparkle Carcass formed in 2017 around drummer Aaron Vincel and songwriter Cody Palmer following the dissolution of their previous efforts with power pop trio Tuff Slang. Sparkle Carcass embodies “don’t bore us get to the chorus” pop songwriting sensibilities with traditional country boogie and shake.
About Brandon Cattle with The Branding Irons:
Brandon Cattle is a Central Illinois based diy cow punk outfit formed in 2020. He and his band, The Branding Irons, have released over thirty songs and made seven music videos. Their live show is high energy, often funny, family friendly entertainment!
Holy Joke / Rundown
Holy Joke / Rundown — No tickets. No cover.
About Holy Joke:
Holy Joke is an indie Americana rock band from Chicago, IL, drawing inspiration from the alt-country greats across the decades while incorporating contemporary indie-rock sensibilities. After recording Holy Joke's first EP No Way Home as a solo project, frontman and songwriter Greg Taylor assembled the musicians who make Holy Joke a force to be reckoned with: Max Berg (guitar and pedal steel), Jonah Penningroth (drums), and Mike Vendiola (bass). The band honed their live sound in 2023 playing at venues across the city. Holy Joke released their second EP (self titled) this July, channeling the raw energy of their live show into a tight 6-song release.
About Rundown:
Rundown is an alternative rock band from Chicago. Their rowdy chords and companionship create an exciting live show that accumulates sounds and stories from past lives in dive bars and back porches across the country. They are currently working on their first record planned to release in the Fall of 2025 that brings folk, indie and country together through a garage rock medium.
Lucas Wayne & the Cottonmouths / Michelle Billingsley
Lucas Wayne & the Cottonmouths / Michelle Billingsley — No tickets. No cover.
Lucas Wayne & the Cottonmouths (Southern IL) — 10:30pm-12:30am
Michelle Billingsley — 8-10pm
About Lucas Wayne & the Cottonmouths:
Lucas Wayne is a storyteller at heart, singing about the quirks of everyday characters and the experiences of growing up in rural Eastern Kentucky and Southern Illinois - where he is based today. Classically trained, his vocal range and natural vibrato leaves crowds stunned. Wayne’s songs move between simply sweet, utterly silly and seriously sad. They all resonate with a humble honestly that is inviting and refreshing.For a few years Lucas Wayne has been captivating audiences as a solo artist. Now he is touring with his band The Cottonmouths - whose members have toured extensively with Vince Herman Band, Rev Peyton’s Big Damn Band, The Whistle Pigs and more. Together they present an emotionally and sonically dynamic show that instantly connects with people. It features a truly impressive vocal performance, red-hot lead guitar/pedal-steel and a perfectly seasoned rhythm section.
About Michelle Billingsley:
Michelle Billingsley has a reputation for being unguarded, tackling subjects considered taboo for polite women. With her sophomore album, Both Sides Of Lonely, this national and international touring artist has evolved beyond the folky troubadour of her lauded debut Not The Marrying Kind, becoming a torchbearer for classic country and western and honky-tonk that strikes a satisfying balance between vintage and modern.Glide Magazine says: "Billingsley has grabbed many an ear with her throwback honkytonk sound that combines shades of the modern and past- think Sierra Ferrell, Lucinda Williams, and Tammy Wynette. Alongside her introspectively outspoken lyrics and steel-driven sound, Billingsley evokes dusty neon light taverns where the draft beer is served cold and the locals still run the joint."
Leslie Starlight / Fox Crossing String Band
Leslie Starlight / Fox Crossing String Band — No tickets. No Cover.
Leslie Starlight 10:30pm-12:30am
Fox Crossing Stringband 8-10pm
About Leslie Starlight:
Leslie Starlight is the united mind of three Chicago heavy hitters, a Hammond Organ, and some beautiful songs reimagined for a harmonizing trio of funk players. Veterans of the Chicago funk & jazz scene, Leslie Starlight’s players are giving you a peek into their love for the songs of the Beatles, Sinatra, Dolly, Little Feat, and Beyond. Shirking the traditional jazz/boogaloo organ trio format; These fellas are song and groove centric to the core. Matt Blocher plays Hammond organ, Kellen Boersma plays guitar, Matt Smalligan plays drums.
About Fox Crossing Stringband:
Fox Crossing Stringband is a dynamic women-led bluegrass group that has been making waves in Chicago’s music scene for eight years. Founded by Cassie Lynn Wright (banjo/dobro) and Despina Pafralides (guitar), their sound is built on powerful original songwriting and captivating harmonies. Joined by Roman Niziolek (upright bass), Micah Vogel (fiddle), and Caleb Peters (mandolin), Fox Crossing pushes bluegrass boundaries. They seamlessly blend traditional roots with pop, blues, and rock, creating a unique and exhilarating live music experience. With two acclaimed albums and hundreds of performances, including festivals like the prestigious IBMA award-winning Frankfort Bluegrass Festival and the John Hartford Memorial Festival, Fox Crossing has built a devoted following and established themselves as a leading force in the bluegrass scene. In 2019, they released their debut album 'Box of Memories' blending both original songwriting and bringing bluegrass stylings to popular tunes. They released their second full-length studio album “Bluegrass on My Mind“ in September 2022, and a foxy pop cover EP entitled “Bluegrass Prom” in 2023. Fox Crossing Stringband know(s) their brand and don’t shy away from it. They have that charming blend of sweet and strong that draws you in but demands respect. ~ June Reedy, Grateful Web 2018
Joe Wortell
Joe Wortell — 9pm
Last night of Joe’s Spring Residency!
No tickets. No cover.
About Joe Wortell:
Country music has always been about the voice and the story. Well, Joe Wortell sure has the voice and he sure as hell has some stories. Hailing from the City of Chicago where he works at his family's metal fabrication factory Joe cut his teeth in the bars and Honky Tonks playing the hell out of his songs about leather tanned mavericks, hard luck hussies, runaway cats, two stroke boat engines and accidental overdoses, all while mythologizing the easy life off some remote beach in Florida. The songs are earnest, the lyrics are at times hilarious, his band is smoking and his voice is unforgettable.
Hoover and the Harley Boys / Sound Weasel
Hoover and the Harley Boys / Sound Weasel — 9pm
No tickets. No cover.
About Hoover and the Harley Boys:
Hoover & Harley and the Boys is a Chicago rock band with a honky tonk problem. Playing hillbilly boogie originals along with the classics and soon-to-be classics with a big hat tip to Hank, Waylon, Willie, Merle, Buck and Carl.
About Sound Weasel:
Sound Weasel is an alternative rock band from Bloomington, Indiana that weaves between 60's surf & garage rock and 70's outlaw country.
BUCK WILD: Line Dancing with Sugarfoot & Spitfire
BUCK WILD: Line Dancing with Sugarfoot & Spitfire — 7pm to close!
BUCK WILD is a line dancing party based in NYC hosted by Sugarfoot (@sugarfootsyyy) and Spitfire (@rivkah.reyes) where you can expect to boot scoot and boogie to cunty country, Y2K bimbo bops, R&B, and pop punk faves. Get ready to sweat! Wear cowboy boots or any closed-toe shoes you feel comfortable dancing in. We will teach several beginner friendly dances and also will be taking line dance requests all night long!
No tickets. No cover.
Dan Patrevito / Wild Western Avenue
Dan Patrevito — 10:30p-12:30a
Wild Western Avenue — 9-10p
No tickets! No cover!
About Dan Patrevito:
Our Austin pal is back in town for one night only!
About The Wild Western Avenue:
The Wild Western Avenue Roots Ensemble is a Chicago-based outfit that unites classic country, traditional jazz, western swing, jug band, and folk music to create a genre self-described as “cowboy jazz.” The five-piece formed over the course of a year after frontman Scott Cary moved to Chicago in 2023. Most members met at the Banjo After Dark old-time jam on the city’s north side. Their influences include Leon Redbone, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, John Prine, and Bob Wills, among other classic country greats. During one of their sets, you might hear a Hank Williams cover, a countrified jazz standard, or one of several original songs. Though the group’s lineup is fluid, core members include Cary (lead vocalist), Kevin Doyle (bass), Chelsea Dvorchak (viola), Elliott Esparza (lead guitar), and Matt Uribe (violin). They’re currently working on their first EP while playing shows across the Midwest.
REGULAR WEEKLY FUN!
THURSDAYS at 9PM — Karaoke w/ JK
SUNDAY—WEDNESDAY — Free pool all night!