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 12:
The Whirlybirds – Dulahan – The Relics – The Rumpke Mountain Boys
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19:
Overdrive – Daniel Dye & Miller Road Band – LA band – Dead Centric
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26:
American Whale – Joe Waters & Back Porch Band – The Usual Suspects & Repeat Offenders – Bastard Bearded Irishmen
The Whirlybirds
September 12, 2026, 12:00-1:30pm
Dulahan
September 12, 2026, 2:00-4:00pm
The band is based out of Dayton, Ohio and has recorded 11 albums of all original Celtic/ Americana flavored material. They are currently working on their 12th album, projected for release in the summer of 2026.
Dulahan’s music is an exciting Celtic/Americana hybrid that pays homage to the traditional, but incorporates all the varied musical influences of the members into its sound. The result is a unique blend of creative songwriting and musical energy that draws on contemporary genres and traditional Celtic but also contains unmistakable hints of Americana and Bluegrass, with a bit of Celtic Rock as well.
The interplay of the multiple layers of instrumentation, combined with the powerful multi-part part vocal harmonies within the band’s original compositions, generates a sound that has a cross generational appeal and connects with fans of the traditional and the contemporary.
The Relics
September 12, 2026 – 4:30-6:30pm
The Rumpke Mountain Boys
September 12, 2025, 7:00-9:00pm
The Rumpke Mountain Boys combine signature vocals, a unique command of string instruments (acoustic guitar, mandolin, upright bass and banjo) and dynamic special effects into a singular musical experience. An emotion filled musical stream of consciousness with no setlist, minimal structure, and intuitive improvisational flow. In this way, they summon the energy of the crowd as their guide in linking just the right music to precise moments in time. Grateful Dead Hour host David Gans proclaimed, “One of the things I love about the Rumpke Mountain Boys is that there’s a fundamental honesty in their presentation. This is something they share with my other heroes, Donna the Buffalo and the Grateful Dead. They don’t make set lists ahead of time, they don’t rehearse their songs to a fare-thee-well– they perform in real time.
All four of them write, which is very important, and they draw songs from a tremendous variety of sources… being a musician is a life-long learning experience, if you’re doing it right, and they are.” Like playing around a campfire, the Boys take turns calling the next tune, distilling shows from a sea of infinite notes created from years of jamming. Drawing upon a growing catalog of originals and and an eclectic mix of covers, the Rumpke Mountain Boys blend music like a fine Irish whiskey– the result affectionately dubbed ‘Trashgrass’. The Boys titled their 2012 album release with the same name, followed by their 2013 release, Moon, which was recorded at the famed Royal Studios in Memphis. The latest studio release, “High Time, Low Tide” is available mid-January. 2015 was outstanding for the string quartet. The Boys played festivals from coast to coast to ever growing audiences including Northwest String Summit and John Hartford Memorial Fest, while forging new ground throughout the west and east coasts including their first New York city show. Finishing up the year with two stellar highlights, their own Snug between and the Rumpke Mountain Boys New Years Eve Ball in their hometown of Cincinnati. 2016 promises to be even better, with extensive touring in support of the new album and the best festival lineup yet. Keep your ear to the ground because the Rumpke Mountain Boys are rolling into a town near you!
Overdrive
September 19, 2026, 12:00-1:30pm
Daniel Dye & The Miller Road Band
September 19, 2026, 2:00-4:00pm
Daniel Dye, an “extraordinary singer-songwriter” (Buckeye Music Magazine) and co-founder of Madden Road Music Fest, was born and raised in rural Ohio, and has played his tunes across Europe and Asia while living, working, and studying in China, Germany, Poland and Turkey, always on the search for new and old folk music.
He plays the guitar, banjo, and harmonica, and is often accompanied by the Miller Road Band, Sister Sarah, or other members of his family. The classically-trained Miller Road Band, Dye’s nephews and nieces, add the violin, viola, cello, melodica, mandolin and harmonies to create a “heartwarming and soulful…rich Bluegrass sound” to Dye’s “powerful short stories through simply beautiful lyrics” (WYSO 91.3).
His songs have been described anywhere from “Americana/Folk/Roots” that “takes you back in time”(Buckeye Music Magazine), to “lovely folk-clad rural reflections” (Columbus Underground), to “thoroughly organic and full of soul” (Tuned Up), to “morbid troubadour folk” (Poptek Recs).
Dye has released two albums with the MRB, one with Sister Sarah, and is currently releasing a song every month as part of his Home Sessions Project. In October 2023, he recorded a studio album in front of a live audience that will be released in early 2024.
Every August Dye gathers with family, friends, musicians, artists, and many, many others on his family farm for the annual Madden Road Music Fest.
LA Band
September 13, 2025, 4:30-6:30pm
This is straight from the band…. Thank you for considering our band for your event. We know that your event is special to you, maybe even a once in a lifetime occasion that you should be able to look back on very fondly. Our band has helped make special memories for countless people looking to impress clients, family, and friends. Our experiences have taken us along many paths and we have played our music for a very diverse cross-section of party throwers and party goers for over 40 years. During that span of time we have played for John Mellencamp, Little Anthony, Peabo Bryson, The Ohio Players, and Rick James. We have opened up for many famous rhythm and blues and jazz musicians across the country. We believe we learned a few things along the way, the most important being to help our clients have the best dance, party, wedding or concert that they can imagine all the time taking all the worry out of the music side of things so that they may enjoy that experience while it’s happening. We are dependable, on time and ready to provide music that is fun, danceable, and professional. We have a base band of 3 musicians that we can expand to 8 including female vocalist and horns. Any thing musically you could need we can supply. But the only way to find out for sure is to give us a listen and a try. Hoping to see you at “the party”…sincerely Greg Parsley for The L.A. Band.
The L. A. Band is very versatile. Although we perform songs from artists like Bruno Mars and The Weekend, we still cover all the hits by artist such as: Earth Wind and Fire, Kool and the Gang, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Isley Brothers, Gap Band, Frankie Beverly and Maze, Cameo, Prince, Doobie Brothers, Peter Gabriel, the Motown Sound and many many more. We can supply a complete song list on request or you can request any special song just for your function.
Dead Centric
September 19, 2026, 7:00-9:00pm
Dead Centric is a Cincinnati-based jam band that plays Grateful Dead covers alongside a variety of other jam-centric rock and roll. Formed in 2015 after the Fare Thee Well concerts, the group blends Dead classics with improvisational explorations of bands like Phish, Widespread Panic, and The Allman Brothers.
Dead Centric took root in the summer of 2015 when drummer Curt (alongside a lineup of rotating local Ohio musicians) was inspired to keep the free-flowing musical spirit of the Grateful Dead alive. The band operates in the jam circuit rather than acting as a strict, 100% replica tribute act. Musical Style & Repertoire While their setlists are largely “centered” on the Grateful Dead, their improvisational jams frequently pivot into related genres and artists. Their shows feature unique interpretations of material from: The Grateful Dead & Jerry Garcia Band; The Allman Brothers Band; Phish; Widespread Panic; and The Band.
Regional Presence Dead Centric is a staple on the Midwestern jam band circuit. They regularly perform at local Ohio venues such as The Southgate House Revival in Newport, Kentucky just across the river from Cincinnati and have also appeared at coffee houses like Plain Folk Cafe.
American Whale
September 26, 2026, 12:00-1:30pm
Joe Waters & The Back Porch Band
September 26, 2026, 2:00-4:00pm
Joe Waters is a multitalented musician out of Dayton Ohio who plays Blues, Funk, Folk, and Americana music. Joe is a singer and a songwriter. He writes original music and he also pays homage to original blues artist by singing old blues standards and deep cuts.
His love for playing music started when he was 5 years old after his parents bought him a harmonica from the Cracker Barrel gift shop. Joe dedicated himself to learning not only the harmonica but the guitar, drums, and vocals as well.
Joe’s father, Jack Waters, has been a musician for 35+ years and Joe expresses his gratitude for his father starting him in his music career.
As a duo, Jack and Joe have performed together for 20 years with 4 albums recorded, they have placed 1st in three local Ohio blues contest, and they were semi-finalist in the International Blues Contest. Although Joe’s recent focus has been the new EP he is recording with his band, he still loves to play music with his father any time he can.
The new EP, by Joe Waters and The Back Porch Band, shows off Joe’s skills as a musician as well as his skills as a songwriter.
Other recent events for Joe Waters include winning the 2022 Telluride Blues Challenge which awarded him a spot on the Durango Blues Train and the opening show of the 2023 Telluride Blues and Brews Festival.
Joe Waters is pouring his creative expression into the EP with his band and a Solo Album that he is excited to share with you all! He hopes to have both the EP and Solo Album done by the end of this year and those who have heard this young man are eagerly awaiting his next creation.
The Usual Suspects & Repeat Offenders
September 26, 2026, 4:30-6:30pm
Bastard Bearded Irishmen
September 26, 2026, 7:00-9:00pm
Pittsburgh-based Bastard Bearded Irishmen is one of the most entertaining and energetic live shows today. Their sound is an original, ferocious blend of traditional and contemporary Celtic music, mixed with punk, gypsy and high-energy rock n’ roll.
Bastard Bearded Irishmen, or BBI, was originally intended to be a one-night-only tribute for a dear, departed friend. Jimmy Bastard and Ben Jaber shared a passion for Irish music and enlisted Dan Stocker on drums and Danny Rectenwald on mandolin to form the nucleus of the band.
What began as a tribute in local pubs, turned into three records, constant touring, and sharing the stage with everyone from The Rumjacks to Gogol Bordello. They have one of the best St. Patrick’s Day shows in the country. They’re hard-partying and always in good spirit. The group’s lineup is rounded out by Paul Dvorchak on fiddle, Ryan Warmbrodt on rhythm guitar, and Sean-Paul Williams on bass.
Bastard Bearded Irishmen concerts are a non-stop barrage of party anthems, dancing tunes and maybe even the occasional whiskey-fueled ballad. The experience is always organic, and sometimes, unpredictable. Jimmy climbs the rafters and Danny jumps into the crowd. Maybe you get to do a solo. Who knows? Quite simply, the guys want you to have as much fun as they’re having.
The band’s third album, “Drinkin’ to the Dead,” will be released wide May 2018. It’s a tribute to fallen friends and family, one of the reasons Bastard Bearded Irishmen formed in the first place; a respectful remembrance of those who have passed with an acceptance to go on and live your best life. Standout tracks include “Green Side of the Hill”, “Drunken Drinkin’”, the cover of “Dirty Old Town” by Ewan MacColl and the epic ending and album-titled “Drinkin’ to the Dead.”
“Drinkin’ to the Dead” is full of surprises and new stretches for the band. The album further demonstrates that Bastard Bearded Irishmen is not just a St. Patrick’s Day band.
One other special note: this is first album where mandolinist and background vocalist Danny Rectenwald steps out to lead vocals on four tracks. Jimmy Bastard still leads vocals and is the principal songwriter on the remaining songs.
Bastard Bearded Irishmen is sponsored by Jameson Irish Whiskey and Iron City Beer.
BBI was voted “Best Rock Band in Pittsburgh” four years in a row (’12,’13,’14, ‘15) by the readers of the ‘Pittsburgh City Paper’, and “Best Bar Band” (2014 & 2015) by ‘Pittsburgh Magazine’. The band continues to make a name for itself, both regionally and nationally. They’ve opened for Dropkick Murphy’s and Stiff Little Fingers on the “Shamrock N Roll” tour in Pittsburgh, played with Gogol Bordello, Street Dogs, Chuck Ragan, The Rumjacks, Gaelic Storm, The Mahones, Reel Big Fish, Guttermouth, Rusted Root, The Clarks, as well as rocking regional festivals, “MusikFest” (Bethlehem, PA), “Roar on the Shore” (Erie, PA), “MountainFest” (Morgantown, WV), “Flood City Music Festival”(Johnstown, PA), “OC Bike Fest” (Ocean City, MD), Dublin Irish Fest (Dublin, OH), Celtic Classic (Bethlehem, PA), Indy Irish Festival (Indianapolis, IN), Pittsburgh Irish Festival, and three rock cruises, Sail Across the Sun (‘16, ‘17, ‘18) with national artists Train, Michael Franti & Spearhead, among others, and was quickly a boat highlight.
