The Big Maracas formed sometime back around the turn of the century, the prime movers and maraca shakers being Venezuelan ex-patriot and artist Enrique Gonzalez, and Chris Sullivan, later adding Chris' fellow Swells Warren Byrom and Andy Mason. The Maracas delve into numerous branches of Latin and Tropical music, being particularly fond of the great Cuban traditions and Brazilian samba, but that's only the beginning. A few of the styles you'll hear from the Big Maracas include Son, Mambo, Cha-cha-cha, Rumba, Salsa, Cumbia, Boogaloo, Calypso, Plena, Forro, Tango, and many others, sometimes including Latin Rock, or other as-of-yet uninvented sub-genres. You may think the average American doesn't dance, but somehow this proves incorrect at a Maracas show, owing to the infectiousness of the styles the Maracas like to play. All the better. Que bueno baila usted!........

The Big Maracas website >>>

Sacre Bleu is a 5-piece blues and zydeco band that has played together for more than 10 years. In that time, they have played up and down I-64/I-75 from Richmond to Lexington to Louisville. Although they have primarily played in bars and clubs that feature blues or zydeco bands such as Stevie Ray's in Louisville, The Brick Alley in Frankfort and Banana's Tavern in Lexington, they have also played venues as diverse as the Capital Expo, the Farnum Dudgeon Civic Center, the Kentucky History Center, the Kentucky Riverfest, Blues to the Point, The Two Rivers Blues Festival, and the Lover's Leap Winery.

The Downtown County Band plays good time music. Hailing from Kentucky are a group of young men famed to induce toe-tapping, even dancing! This group is based on a shared appreciation for acoustic roots music. The DCB play music from the turn of the 20th century through the 1940s. They celebrate jug band music born out of the Ohio and Mississippi River ways of life, as well as blues from the South. The County Band plays Appalachian Gospel, Mountain, and Old Timey Music. They play good time music with the promise of more good times to come.

The Downtown County Band's MySpace >>>

"A 14 year old "rising star" in whom soulful country and pop bluegrass meet rock and roll. The purely genius melodies flow from her voice to soul. Time stands still...prepare for the experience."

When you experience Jeri's bluesy country sound fused with pop-folk and an exhilarating spin on rock and roll, you will never be the same. This is a young girl that delivers an old soul experience for the listener. Her skills are constantly evolving and her song list is ever growing...so be sure to experience her music often!

Jeri's Website >>>

A singer, songwriter, and dancer, Carla brings lively energy and a variety of musical styles to the stage. Her original songs range from misty, traditional sounding ballads accompanied by banjo to uptempo pop-influenced songs with a groove, and she has won a handful of songwriting contests, including Merlefest's Chris Austin Songwriting Contest, The Kerrville New Folk Award, and The Flatrock Music Festival Songwriting Contest. When you come to a show, you can expect to hear ancient-sounding ballads, Kentucky-style clawhammer tunes, clogging and mountain rhythms, mellow and introspective original songs, some choice cover tunes, and beautiful harmonies on everything. Carla performed for 10 years with the group Zoe Speaks and currently plays with Kentucky's newest acoustic band, Wicked Polly. For this appearance it'll be ladies only as she's joined by bassist Daphne Fields, and Lexington's musically diverse diva Diane Timmons. Rumor has it that the girls and Jeri Katherine are cooking up some special songs, too!
Carla's Website >>>

Singer/Songwriter John Lawson loves a good story told by song. John played rhythm guitar many years for "Flatt Creek", returning of late to his folk roots influenced by his father, Guy Clark, Johnny Cash, Bill Monroe, Doc Watson, Ramblin Jack Elliot, Mitch Barrett, Lester Flatt and many others. John's unique, engaging style of singing and storytelling has made him somewhat of a local troubadour.

Kentucky Wild Horse is named after an old eastern Kentucky fiddle tune. They play old-time, bluegrass, and swing music learned from earlier generations of Kentucky musicians, as well as original songs by band members and other Kentucky song-writers. Their performances include down-home humor and stories about the history of the music and the performers who played it.

Kentucky Wild Horse's MySpace >>>

From the bluegrass state of Kentucky, comes a fresh new approach to Bluegrass Music.  Supported by a group of accomplished musicians and songwriters, ‘No Tools Loaned’ is a well-oiled-machine when it comes to the acoustic music arena.

The bluegrass band ‘No Tools Loaned’ (A.K.A NTL) appeared on the music scene around the turn of the 21st century.  Since that time, they have polished their craft into a masterpiece of team work and originality.

The band appears frequently at popular bluegrass/folk festivals in and around Kentucky and adjoining states.  NTL has been performing since the year 2000, and is one of the area's premier bluegrass bands. Their unique mix of original songs, hot new bluegrass tunes, classic rock and folk ballads, and western swing numbers puts a fresh face on the traditional bluegrass sound.

As a singer/songwriter from Morning View, KY Lauren started singing in church at the age of 5 and taught herself to play guitar at the age of 20.  She started playing shows in 2005 regionally in the Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati area in the cover band Mr. Dub & the To Be's.  In early 2006, she started writing and branched out from the band to pursue her solo career.  She now plays acoustic gigs, occasionally attended by a backup instrument or two, but mostly does solo shows.  She can also play the upright bass and piano but writes mostly on guitar.  Lauren's sound, of a grass roots KY musician, naturally comes forth through her Folk and Americana song writing style.  Her song subjects range from love of nature to loss of her grandmother and even to how she feels sexy in her boots.  Lauren's sound is an expressive, eloquent, passionate portrayal of life through music.

Lauren Houston's MySpace >>>

Adam Jones was born in 1992, and has been playing the piano since he was 5 years old. He plays blues, jazz, classic rock, gospel from different artists. And he also writes and plays his own music. He is currently lead pianist in the Franklin county jazz ensemble, and has played at several social functions at the school. Also Frankfort’s grand theatre reception, Franklin counties farmer’s market festivals. He also plays every weekend during the fall at Happy Jack’s pumpkin festivals. Also recently in the Kentucky River strings youth orchestra, and last year at the Americana music festival held at Happy Jacks pumpkin farm.  He attributes a lot of his talent to his grandmother and his piano teacher of eleven years Craig Wingate.

The Yeller Dog and the Barktones is a family band consisting of  long-time Frankfort area residents Beth Barkley, Tona Barkley, and John Harrod.  Mother and daughter Tona and Beth, both well known for their talents in painting, quilting, design, and architecture, found a new outlet for their artistic sensibilities when Tona and John married in 2006 and the three of them started singing and playing at local jams and parties. Drawing on a wide range of sources both traditional and contemporary, they revive and reinterpret great songs in a trio setting. And to set the record straight, which one is Yeller Dog?  Answer, for those of you who know them: they all are. It's more a concept having to do with animals that we love, such as  Sadie, who is a rare example of an old breed known as the Carolina Yellow Dog, as well as our enduring faith in our nation and the party of the people........

Originally from Frankfort and part of the great music scene there Dudley has spent most of his time in bands until a year ago when he went solo with his guitar and never looked back. With a mix of covers and a few of his originals his shows have created a great atmosphere to hang out and have fun!

Mingoze consists of Jeff Ellis on guitar, Marcus Brothwell on Bass and Jordon Ellis on Drums.  The group is a solid mix of Blues, Reggae, Rock, and more.  They put the emphasis on rhythm that will get your back side in motion and give you the notion to dance.  The addition of Jonathan Keeler on keys and Laura Keeler on vocals will only add to the groove.  On top of that, Molly Rogers will be joining the jam for this festival with her virtuosic violin playing, complimenting the rock enforcement that will already be happening.

Passing through Mount Eden, you may just hear the echoes of banjo, fiddle, guitar, mandolin and upright bass. The music is from brothers Tyler, Cory, Isaac and mom, Tina May.
     Tyler (17), Cory (15) and Isaac (11) began playing in early spring of 2006. Tyler plays the fiddle and claw hammer style banjo. Cory plays the guitar and fiddle and does most of the lead singing. Isaac plays the mandolin and joins in on the singing. Mom, Tina, joined in on the act in August of 2007 playing the upright bass. They play a mix of bluegrass, mountain, folk, gospel and a splash of country.
       With dad, Marty, as bus driver they love to travel and perform wherever an opportunity arises. They love to share their music, their family story and the story behind the band’s name, Murphy’s Echo.
        The banjo, guitar, and mandolin were built by Bryan England of
England Custom Instruments in Caneyville, Ky.