This is your chance to check out some of music’s rising stars! Performances are included in festival admission. We have tables and chairs set up in front of the stage, but you are more than welcome to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Please be courteous and pick a spot that won’t obscure the view of others.
Click here for a printable music schedule or scroll down for complete details.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6:
Eleyet McConnell – Matt Clarkson Band – The Ark Band – Parrots of the Caribbean
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13:
Anna Paolucci – LA band – Steve Free – Rumpke Mountain Boys
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20:
Dulahan – John Batdorf – Ladies of Langford – Bastard Bearded Irishmen
Eleyet McConnell
September 6, 2025, 12:00-1:30pm
Immersed in a multitude of genres for over 40 years, Angie Eleyet possesses a talent that will captivate you from the first moment she sings. Fierce. Soulful. edgy. Her musical tastes are so diverse, yet you will hear the many influences in her sound from Beth Hart, Led Zeppelin, Heart, Janis Joplin, and Bad Company to Merle Haggard, The Eagles, and some gospel freats. Her stage presence will draw you in quickly and she takes you on a journey you will never forget.
Well-known to the local music scene Chris McConnell has developed his musical expertise over the last 50 years. He has years of experience in live performance, touring, and studio work. His journey as a musician began at the age of 10 and continued through the years in countless projects including winning a regional star search and a home-grown album with WTUE in the early 80’s. He has a passion for writing and is a strong vocalist in his own right.
Together, their ability to tell stories through their lyrics captivates listeners. Their chemistry is palpable whether playing in an intimate, storyteller-type venue or with a full powerful band. Their songs attract music lovers from all backgrounds
Matt Clarkson Band
September 6, 2025 2:00-4:00pm
The Ark Band
September 6, 2025 – 4:30-6:30pm
Parrots of the Caribbean
September 6, 2025, 7:00-9:00pm
Anna Paolucci
September 13, 2025, 12:00-1:30pm
LA Band
September 13, 2025, 2:00-4:00pm
Steve Free
September 13, 2025, 4:30-6:30pm
Music is an emotion that each of us can experience. The mood of times. . . thoughts unspoken . . .
Steve Free writes music that evokes imagery, reflects life, its simplicity and to reveal something about ourselves that is hidden.
Between the notes is where we live and today is ours for but a moment. Steve’s music covers the gamut of folk, rock and country. Stop and listen and explore his world. A Free World!
Steve Free is an internationally acclaimed award winning singer/songwriter/recording artist. The winner of numerous Music Industry Awards including 9 ASCAP AWARDS, a Platinum Record and a GRAMMY nomination he has charted over 30 songs on the National & International, Americana, Country & Billboard Charts, including 15 #1 songs, while remaining one of Music’s Top Folk Artist both in the U.S and in Europe.
In 1996 he was named International Independent Recording Artist of the Year, in 2008 he won the Governor’s Aard as the #1 Artist in his home state of Ohio and in 2009 was honored by The Kentucky State Senate for his musical contributions to Appalachia. He is an Ohio Arts Council and Midwest Arts Council “Ohio Artist On Tour “.
In 2000 he received a lifetime achievement award from Airplay International in Nashville for his decades of international airplay. His song ‘SEIGE AT LUCASVILLE’, about the 1993 Ohio prison riot was filmed by CBS TV’s 48 Hours in 1996 and his song OUR HOMETOWN is featured in the PBS Documentary ‘BEYOND THESE WALLS’.
In 2009 he was honored by being named an Official “Ohio Treasure“.
In 2014 he has performed on PBS, NPR and THE NASHVILLE NETWORK and been featured in The AFM International Magazine, GTE Music Magazine in Nashville and numerous other music industry magazines and newspaper articles.
Rumpke Mountain Boys
September 13, 2025, 7:00-9:00pm
Dulahan
September 20, 2025, 12:00-1:30pm
Dulahan’s music is a Celtic/Americana hybrid that pays homage to the traditional but incorporates all the varied musical influences of the four members into its unique sound. The result is a unique blend of creative songwriting and musical energy that draws on contemporary genres and traditional Celtic but also contains subtle hints of a Roots/Americana feel as well.
The interplay of the multiple layers of instrumentation, combined with the powerful 3- and 4-part vocal harmonies within the band’s original compositions generates a sound that connects with fans of the traditional and the contemporary and draws new fans wherever their music is heard.
John Batdorf
September 20, 2025, 2:00-4:00pm
John Batdorf’s journey through the world of music is a testament of passion, perseverance and the enduring power of authenticity. From singing Elvis Presley classics as “Little Johnny” in nightclubs to becoming an influential figure in the West Coast folk-rock scene, Batdorf’s story is one of continuous evolution and a deep love for his craft.
Surrounded by a family steeped in music, Batdorf’s destiny seemed inevitable. Picking up the guitar at the tender age of five, his earliest performances were alongside his father, captivating audiences with his renditions of Elvis hits. However his path was forever changed at age 12 , when he saw The Beatles perform on the Ed Sullivan show. That electrifying moment cemented his ambition to pursue music professionally.
By age 15, Batdorf had left his Ohio hometown for Los Angeles, embracing the uncertainty of chasing fame and fortune. This leap of faith paid off when when he and collaborator Mark Rodney formed Batdorf and Rodney. The duo signed with Atlantic Records under the legendary Ahmet Ertegun, recording their debut album “Off the Shelf” in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. The album’s 1971 release marked the beginning of Batdorf’s prolific career.
Hearing his music on the radio remains one of Batdorf’s fondest memories. He recalls an iconic moment when he and Rodney played their latest songs for Ertegun, only to hear their record already playing in his hotel room. As Ertegun proudly said “Boys, we made our mark,” Batdorf knew he was part of something significant.
Throughout the 1970s, Batdorf continued to build on that foundation. His sound, a blend of West Coast acoustic folk-rock, drew from inspirations like Crosby, stills & Nash, Buffalo Springfield, and the Beatles. This unique style style, coupled with deeply personal songwriting, became his hallmark.
Batdorf’s career wasn’t without it’s hurdles. After forming the band Silver in 1976 and achieving a hit with “Wham Bam,” creative differences with Arista Records curtailed the bands potential. Faced with uncertainty, Batdorf turned to studio work, lending his vocal talents to jingles, television shows, movies, and albums by artists like Motley Crue and Dwight Yokam.
Even as a studio singer, Batdorf remained committed to songwriting, securing cuts with acts like America and Dan Seals. A serendipitous moment in 2017 brought “Wham Bam back into the spotlight when it was featured in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol II, introducing his music to a new generation of fans.
As John Batdorf looks to the future, his excitement for music remains undiminished. With a new solo album on horizon and plans to continue performing through 2025, he is passionate as ever. Each new project represents another chapter in a career defined by creativity, resilience, and an enduring love for music.
Ladies of Longford
September 20, 2025, 4:30-6:30pm
Bastard Bearded Irishmen
September 20, 2025, 7:00-9:00pm
