Grammy nominated guitarist, singer and songwriter Bill Kirchen is one of the fortunate few who can step on any stage, play those trademark licks which drove the seminal Commander Cody classic Hot Rod Lincoln into the Top Ten nationwide, and elicit instant recognition. Named a “Titan of the Telecaster” by Guitar Player Magazine, he celebrates a musical tradition that embraces rock ‘n’ roll, blues and bluegrass, Texas Western swing and California honkytonk. Nick Lowe describes Bill as “... a devastating culmination of the elegant and funky… a really sensational musician, with enormous depth.”
The members of North Ingalls enjoy blending various genres to fuel their unique sound. With folk at the forefront, it is mixed in with jazz, R&B, and rock. They are constantly expanding their ears, finding new music and new sounds to draw inspiration from to feed their passion. Ananda Murari is a Southeast Michigan artist creating eclectic devotional folk shaped by a decade of monastic living. After spending years immersed in spiritual study and simple living, he returned to songwriting with a renewed sense of wonder—carrying the quiet clarity of the forest, the humility of service, and the soft ache of becoming human again.
As global ambassadors of Irish heritage and storytelling, The High Kings have consistently brought the timeless tradition of folk music to audiences worldwide, earning them chart-topping success and widespread acclaim. With their signature blend of classic tradition and modern edge, The Rocky Road Tour promises to be a vibrant showcase of Irish culture, energy, and musicality.
The City Is Coming to Erase It All is Fink’s ninth studio album, following 2024’s Beauty In Your Wake. Recorded in Zennor, Cornwall, the album was made with a strict era-specific approach. Imagining a record Michael Chapman might have made, right down to the guitar strings. Grammy-winning producer Sam Okell helped guide the process: “If it didn’t exist in 1974, you’re not allowed to use it.”
Known for their intricate vocal harmonies and unique instrumentation as well as their poetic lyrics, Raynes has yet to come up with a good answer as to what genre their music falls under. With all three members coming from different musical backgrounds, the boys combine their diverse influences to form a group that draws inspiration from around the globe, incorporating elements of folk, rock, and chamber pop with Celtic and world music to create a wholly original—and difficult to categorize—sound.
Featuring five musicians who grew up in El Paso, Lubbock and Amarillo, the West Texas Exiles draw upon the wide-open western reaches of the Lone Star State with a wide-ranging, Americana-centered sound. Rising from the embers of the Dirty River Boys, which Marco Gutierrez co-founded in 2009, the Austin band features a triple-threat of songwriters in Gutierrez, Daniel Davis and Colin Gilmore (son of legendary Texas troubadour Jimmie Dale Gilmore), plus seasoned bassist Eric Harrison and latter-day Dirty River Boys drummer Trinidad Leal
In the 14th annual installation of Bedard’s History of American Music series, he will feature a tribute to rockabilly great Carl Perkins, including his classic songs “Honey Don’t”, “Blue Suede Shoes”, and “Dixie Fried”. He will also explore the year 1963, from rock’n’roll and surf music to country and R&B. The band will perform music by artists of many genres, including George Jones, The Surfaris, Otis Redding, Little Johnny Taylor, and Bob Dylan.
Damn Tall Buildings is a celebrated folk-bluegrass band known for their soulful melodies and intricate instrumentals. Based in Brooklyn, this seasoned trio—Max Capistran, Sasha Dubyk, and Avery Ballotta—has spent over a decade honing their craft through dedicated touring and recording. With a distinctive sound that weaves heartfelt lyrics into thoughtful fiddle, guitar, and bass arrangements, they embody a unique blend of Americana roots and contemporary style.
Rodney Crowell is the songwriter’s songwriter and an icon among giants. Native Texan, Crowell is a multi-Grammy Award-winning troubadour with fifteen number one hits. Over the course of his career, Crowell has gracefully blended his own mainstream success as an artist with a prolific catalog of songs cut by the likes of Emmylou Harris, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Keith Urban and more, making him a master among his peers.
Annie and Rod Capps have established themselves as well-respected songwriters, musicians and performers, with three albums topping the Folk Radio charts and as 2-time Kerrville New Folk Finalists. The Capps’ sound meets at the intersection of Americana & Folk drawing on rock, jazz, blues and bluegrass influences. Tonight’s show celebrates the release of their new album, Never Done. The 10th album from Michigan rockers turned ‘folkies’ features 10 original songs that combine themes of nostalgia and personal growth, with plenty of heart-felt realness, charming self-awareness, and a dusting of humor.
BIIRD are an all-female trad supergroup that have been mystifying the masses with their lively, zealous set and uncompromising dedication to Irish design since their inception last year. Bringing the trad session vibe from the corner of a pub to a global audience, their energy is unmatched. This is a sisterhood born out of a shared passion for keeping the tradition of Irish music alive, giving it a new look and keeping it on its toes. When they’re performing together, a magic flows between them, and that mix of skill and sorcery make them incomparable.
Bill Edwards is an award-winning singer/songwriter from Ann Arbor, MI. He’s known for his thoughtful, moving and sometimes hilarious songs, supported by his fine voice and excellent guitar playing. You’d probably call his style “rootsy”, ranging from classic country to acoustic rock, with an emphasis on well-crafted lyrics.
