Kurtis James Band
Specializing in country music with a vintage Americana feel, Kurtis James came onto the local music scene in early 2019. A native of central Minnesota, Kurtis comes to Illinois after a stint in the US Navy saw him reside variously in Florida, Virginia, and California.
Influenced by the great country and rockabilly acts of the mid-twentieth century, Kurtis' songwriting is down-to-earth country, with grit, emotion and relatability.
Kurtis has remained extremely active during the pandemic, releasing four singles over the past few months, and performing live wherever possible over the summer. Kurtis has pulled together some serious talent with Pete Steele (drums), Cris Velez (bass), and Rich Becker (pedal steel) for the Kurtis James Band.
Produced by Thirdfire Records’ Joan Velez, Kurtis James' debut album ""Maricopa County Angel"" is scheduled for release in early 2021
Ryan Herrick Situation
Inspired by the raw, visceral power in traditional Delta blues and Appalachian folk music, Ryan Herrick allows his music to merge from within. His soulful songs express his passionate belief in human unity and the interconnectedness of all things with a percussive blend of rock, folk-blues, Celtic, and Indian raga.
Nick Dittmeier
and the Sawdusters
Nick Dittmeier is a singer-songwriter from Southern Indiana. He’s released two solo ep’s, “Extra Better” in 2013 and “Light of Day” in 2014. With the support of his backing/touring band, The Sawdusters, he has released two full length albums, “Midwest Heart/ Southern Blues” in 2016 and “All Damn Day” in 2018. These albums are gritty collections of songs, full of characters who were developed while staring over the dash of a beat up tour van, cruising through towns all over the South and Midwest.
His newest release, “Companion (Extended Edition)”, features a four song studio collection from 2019 on Side A. Side B, titled “Alive From a Barbershop in Southern Indiana” is a live acoustic listening room set.
Relentless touring through the United States and Europe have accompanied these releases, and he will be on the road in 2021 and beyond.
David Graham & The Eskimo Brothers
The Eskimo Brothers are a high energy honky tonk trio based out of Nashville, Tennessee. This reckless and manic show has been battle tested and polished from over 300 shows a year, both in the honky tonks of Nashville's historic Lower Broadway and and monthly shows in Memphis on Beale St.
Trace Hamilton
Trace Hamilton is a seasoned singer/songwriter from Chicago, IL who needs nothing more than a stage and a cold drink to show a crowd a good time. He first picked up a guitar at the age of 12 and has been writing songs and performing ever since. Hamilton’s charm comes from his ability to connect with his audience at all times while performing, making for an incredibly unique experience every time you see him.
Michele McGuire & Harper O'Neil
Michele McGuire is an indie folk singer-songwriter from Chicago.
Native to Richardson, Texas, Harper O’Neill is an up-and-coming voice in the Nashville country music scene. Her Texas songwriting roots mixed with sonic influences from genres like southern soul and rock makes her style sound fresh and uniquely her own. She pulls inspiration from writers and artists she admires like Patty Griffin, Carole King, Haim, and Lucie Silvas.
South City Revival
Musicians Joe Pacelli (vocals, guitar), John Quinn (guitar), Mike Fitzgerald (bass), Jose Perez (drums), and Brendan Linnane (pedal steel) met in the parking lot of a Western avenue bar and decided they wanted to write songs like Townes Van Zandt and play shows like Bruce Springsteen. They asked each other “what does Chicago country sound like?”—a question that has shaped the sound and aesthetic of South City Revival since its formation. Combining elements of country, rock, and rhythm and blues, the band writes songs that are powerful and sure to make people dance.
Joe Stamm Band
Joe Stamm Band’s newest country-rock album is as brutally authentic as the Midwestern plains and people that inspire these songs. A year-round working musician, Stamm has become something of an anthropologist of the tiny towns dotting middle America. Thanks to his fondness for this so-called flyover country, and his crew of down-home troubadours, Stamm has created the soundtrack to the heart of America: Midwest Town (release date 9-10-21).
JSB, established in 2013, offers distinct storytelling mixed with a signature Black Dirt Country Rock sound - a sound that Stamm defines as “a nod to our Midwestern roots, as well as the Red Dirt music scene, which has had a big influence on our music.” Fans can expect the fearless Black Dirt Country Rock sound from Dave Glover’s inventive lead guitar, Bruce Moser’s fortifying bass, and Tim Fiers’ heart-pounding drums on the new album.
Cutting his teeth playing in middle-of-nowhere dives, Stamm earned the stage presence and grit it would take to support artists like Chris Knight, Blackberry Smoke, Sunny Sweeney, Tyler Childers, Whiskey Myers, Jamey Johnson, and more. It’s the same blue-collar outlaw spirit from his early days that Stamm brings to any stage and every audience today.
Jennifer Fletcher and The Reckoning
Jennifer was born and raised in the small town of Beal City, MI. Growing up on her family’s farm, country music filled their home with the sounds of her grandparents favorites: Patsy Cline, Alabama, The Oakrigde Boys, Johnny Cash & The Judds.
An Evening with Ryan Hurd
Arista Nashville singer/songwriter Ryan Hurd continues his ubiquitous rise as one of Nashville’s most multi-dimensional, engaging entertainers. Hurd claims co-pen credits on some of the format’s biggest hits including “Lonely Tonight” (Blake Shelton), “Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset” (Luke Bryan), ACM Award-nominated “What If I Never Get Over You” and “You Look Good” (Lady A), and “Heartless” (Diplo ft. Morgan Wallen). Hurd continues his hit-producing path with the release of his latest single, “Every Other Memory,” which has been dubbed one of the Best Songs of April 2020 (TIME) and follows his Gold-certified Top 20 hit, “To A T,” a No. 1 on SiriusXM The Highway’s Hot 30 Countdown. Lauded for “generating major buzz” and “making waves” (Rolling Stone), the Kalamazoo native has garnered nearly 330 million career streams worldwide and caught the attention of entertainment tastemakers including Esquire, GQ, Maxim, American Songwriter, Billboard, People, NBC’s “TODAY,” and more.
Boy Named Banjo
Long before Boy Named Banjo, two of the founding members of the genre-bending band grew up a mile down the road from each other in Nashville. William Reames and Willard Logan both picked up the guitar at an early age, took lessons from the same teacher in town, and played in the same middle school band together.
Hodie Snitch
"Hodie Snitch plays the songs you know and love from the likes of Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, George Jones, David Allen Coe, Hank Williams Jr, Charlie Daniels, and the list goes on and on. We could do this all day.
Sometimes we do... This IS your daddy's country!"
Riley Brothers
The Riley Brothers are a guitar and percussion duo performing the best top 40 songs of the 60's through today! Known for their modern acoustic arrangements and tight vocal harmonies, The Rileys are the perfect fit for any venue or event!
Dry County Line
Hellin' from Chicago since 2014, Dry County Line has a strong regard for classic country music, and that's what they love to share. But they like "countrifying" non-country songs too. You never can tell. One thing's for certain, DCL is all about singing (and dancing). With this band, it's harmonize or go home. We'll take the bourbon.
Renegade Wildflower
Renegade Wildflower Co-Founder and Cornerstone, Rodney Alan, moved to Northern Illinois from the heart of Texas in a frosty April evening. As the relationship bloomed between the two songwriters, so did the music. Thus, Renegade Wildflower was born.
This husband and wife duo showcases the fusing of Rodney’s metal and rock background with Melissa Ann’s red dirt country soul, creating a unique sound and emotion that is known to dig into the emotion and spirit of the live music experience.
Eskimo Brothers
The Eskimo Brothers are a high energy honky tonk trio based out of Nashville, Tennessee. This reckless and manic show has been battle tested and polished from over 300 shows a year, both in the honky tonks of Nashville's historic Lower Broadway and and monthly shows in Memphis on Beale St.
Chris James
Originally from the south side of Chicago, Chris James has been making music for most of his life. After studying music at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Chris spent several years collaborating with talented musicians in a few different bands from Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Nashville. He has toured the U.S. and Europe, has been the opening act for artists such as Blackberry Smoke, Marshall Tucker, and Miranda Lambert, and has been a part of the Kid Rock Chillin’ the Most Cruise. Chris got his start as a drummer, but spends most of his time these days as a solo act playing the guitar and singing. He now calls Chicago home again and plays gigs all over the city. You can check him out at www.ChrisJameslive.com
Jeremy Pinnell
When Jeremy Pinnell released OH/KY in the summer of 2015 to stunned acclaim, it felt like an entire career compressed into one knock-out album. Hailed as, a “Mind-blowingly good” (Greg Vandy/KEXP) “ ”tutorial on classic country music” (Popmatters), Pinnell’s debut immediately differentiated as authentic and unflinching. Dogged touring through Europe and the States and celebrated radio sessions followed, cementing Pinnell’s position as a no-fuss master of his craft. His 2017 album, Ties of Blood and Affection presented a canny lateral move. Instead of doubling down on the stark themes and values of his debut, the sophomore album found Pinnell finding comfort in his own skin, achieving the redemption only hinted at in his previous batch of haunted songs. If the third time’s a charm, Pinnell is all shine and sparkle on the forthcoming Goodbye LA. Produced by Texan Jonathan Tyler, the tunes buff the wax and polish the chrome on Country music’s deeper roots. Rooted in his steady acoustic guitar, Pinnell’s songs are shot through with honest and classic elements. The rhythm section, all snap and shuffle, finds purpose in well worn paths. The pedal steel and Telecaster stingers arrive perfectly on cue, winking at JP’s world-wise couplets . Here slippery organ insinuates gospel into the conversation. You can feel the room breathe and get a sense of these musicians eyeballing each other as their performances are committed to tape. And through it all comes this oaken identity, the devastating centerpiece of his work. Honest and careworn, Jeremy’s voice can touch on wry, jubilant, and debauched - all in a single line. At his best, Jeremy Pinnell chronicles the joy and sorrow of being human, which is the best that anyone could do.
Mackenzie O'Brien
Mackenzie O’Brien’s career has been on an upward trajectory in both Chicagoland and Nashville, Tennessee. Mackenzie has performed close to 400 times in her first four years as a professional including performances in some of Nashville’s best venues.
Mackenzie grew up in Northern, Illinois close to the Wisconsin border and had only one career in mind since the age of four years. Prior to then she had been given the nickname “Hummingbird” as she was often found playing alone humming made up melodies. This natural gift has stayed with her and she is a sought after melody driven songwriter. To date, Mackenzie has landed over 25 songs on small market radio in the USA and Europe.
Josh Ward
Merle, Jones and Strait, and found himself feeling like a string of chords being perfectly strummed by those legendary sounds. That feeling inspired him to pick up a guitar and start singing in the parking lots of rodeo events. The reactions and encouragements he spurred from peers and onlookers led him to form his first band and hit the local honky tonk circuit in 2003. Needing something to sell to the demands of a swelling fan base, he recorded his first EP “Hard Whiskey,” the title track being to this day one of his most requested at live shows. It was in 2012 when Ward truly found his stride with the release of his first full length album “Promises,” produced by GRAMMY Award-winning producer, Greg Hunt. It seemed clear that radio had discovered their new banner artist in Ward with all five singles hitting the Top 20 on the Texas Music charts, three of those scoring #1’s -almost unheard of for a debut artist. Ward wrapped up 2013 as the Texas Regional Radio’s New Male Vocalist of the Year.
Hoyle Brothers
The Hoyle Brothers approach their music the way a preacher might prepare for a sermon: Reference the good Book, find a theme that resonates and deliver it with fire and passion.
That’s what makes The Hoyle Brothers so special. Their brand of genuine country music draws from the genre’s deepest traditions–lyrics that speak universal truths, melody lines that melt your heart and two-step rhythms that make your boots scoot.
The Simple Remedy
Founded several years ago by Chicago Singer/Songwriter Edward William Ryan, The Simple Remedy has grown into one of the most reliable acts on the music scene. Featuring Singer/Songwriter Amy Carlson on Vocals, Pat Keiner on Lead Guitar, Mandolin, Steel Guitar and Vocals, Pete Vancura on Bass Guitar and Jamie Gallagher on Drums.
Simple Remedy keeps audiences guessing with an exciting mix of Country, Americana and Soul music. Their shows are a genre bending journey through American Music.
Sunfallen
SunFallen will take you back a few decades to when live music meant something, not like a group of soccer Dads lip syncing to a karaoke backing track. A time when guitars howled, the base drum kicked, and the vocals of a song took you back to a place you've missed. SunFallen continues to draw loyal fans since their debut in 2009 as well as claim new fans with their signature sound and style. The band covers classic and new Rock.
Trailer Park Twisters
From small towns to the big city, the Trailer Park Twisters are ripping up all your favorite country tunes and laying waste to prefabricated homes in a 10-mile radius. Formed in 2008 by Paul Cicciarelli, the band features dynamic guitar playing complimented by swelling pedal steel and soaring vocals. From Johnny Cash to Miranda Lambert they’ve got it covered.
The Shootouts
The Shootouts debut album “Quick Draw” is an effortless blend of high-energy honky-tonk and traditional country music mixed with touches of Americana and western swing. The band marries a blend of Roy Orbison and Bob Wills with the barn-burning sounds of Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives and Dwight Yoakam. The combination offers a welcome throwback to sounds that flowed out of Nashville, Texas and California in country music’s golden years.
Composed of lead-singer Ryan Humbert, guitarist Brian Poston, bassist Ryan McDermott, drummer Dylan Gomez, backing vocalist Emily Bates and longtime sideman Al Moss on pedal steel, The Shootouts have shared the stage with a wide range of artists like Sheryl Crow, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Rosie Flores, Marty Stuart & The Fabulous Superlatives, Lake Street Dive, Jim Lauderdale, Robbie Fulks, Radney Foster, Zac Brown Band, Soul Asylum, Chris Isaak and more.
“Quick Draw” was recorded in Brooklyn, NY with producers Luca Benedetti and Jim Campilongo (Cake, Norah Jones, The Little Willies.) “We were attracted to the project by the earnest songwriting and strong musicianship,” said Campilongo and Benedetti, “The Shootouts are a hard-working and passionate band, and together we created an album to be proud of.”
Upon release in May of 2019, “Quick Draw” received stellar reviews and world-wide radio play, spending over nine weeks on the “Americana Radio Top 50” album chart as well as reaching the “Alt-Country Radio Top 20” chart.
Gin Palace Jesters
The Gin Palace Jesters have been playing traditional and original country & western in Chicago for close to twenty years. Over the course of three albums and tours that have taken them to California, Texas, Canada, Germany, Spain and Finland they have continued down the musical trail blazed by ol' Hank, Webb, Faron and Jones. They take great pride in crafting songs that can fill a dance floor or break your heart. The formula is simple--darn fine pickin' and un-ruined country music.
Dry County Line
Hellin' from Chicago since 2014, Dry County Line has a strong regard for classic country music, and that's what they love to share. But they like "countrifying" non-country songs too. You never can tell. One thing's for certain, DCL is all about singing (and dancing). With this band, it's harmonize or go home. We'll take the bourbon.
The Simple Remedy
Founded several years ago by Chicago Singer/Songwriter Edward William Ryan, The Simple Remedy has grown into one of the most reliable acts on the music scene. Featuring Singer/Songwriter Amy Carlson on Vocals, Pat Keiner on Lead Guitar, Mandolin, Steel Guitar and Vocals, Pete Vancura on Bass Guitar and Jamie Gallagher on Drums. Simple Remedy keeps audiences guessing with an exciting mix of Country, Americana and Soul music. Their shows are a genre bending journey through American Music.
Ward Davis
American Singer/Songwriter from Monticello, Arkansas by way of Nashville, Tennessee, Ward Davis has had songs recorded by Trace Adkins, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Wade Hayes, Sammy Kershaw, Bucky Covington, Jimmie Van Zant, Buddy Jewel, Carolina Rain, The Roys, and more. Most recently, Ward Davis co-wrote “I’m Not The Devil” with Cody Jinks, with whom he subsequently toured with nationwide. With over 250 shows per year under his belt as both a headliner and support act, Ward Davis’ already popular live show is growing at exponential rates.
