2018 Festival Schedule

Thursday, July 26th

Opening Night Performances inside Cozy Cove
4pm - 8pm: Spaghetti Dinner*
5pm: HurleyWoodz
6pm: Branded Bluegrass
7pm: Georgia Rae
8pm: HurleyWoodz
9pm: Branded Bluegrass
9:30pm: HurleyWoodz Campfire
10pm: Johnny Campbell & The Bluegrass Drifters
11pm: The Georgia Rae Family Band

Those amongst us who have watched the Georgia Rae Family Band (GRFB) at the Cozy Cove (2015) and other venues across the nation, know that GRFB has always pushed the envelope of traditional music.  Their progressive sound is inspired by a mix of Americana, contemporary folk and roots, and a little jazzy swing, all flavored with family harmony and youthful energy.  Their original songs are clever and catchy.   Fiddle champion Georgia Rae, lead singer/uke Kelly Jo, Quin on mandolin and banjo, are joined by a solid driving rhythm "punk rockin’" momma” on guitar and Joe Burie on bass.

12am: Branded Bluegrass
1am: The Georgia Rae Family Band

Friday, July 27th

Main Stage performances from 10am until 9pm
10am: Hand-Picked Bluegrass
11am: HurleyWoodz
12pm: Branded Bluegrass
1pm: Johnny Campbell & The Bluegrass Drifters
2pm: Roe Family Singers
3pm: Dale Ann Bradley Band
4pm: Hand-Picked Bluegrass
4:30pm : Meet & Greet / Question & Answer

Featuring Nashville Fiddler Johnny Campbell

The caliber of Johnny Campbell's fiddle playing has not found its superb match since the first 12 years of the festival when Johnny's brother, the late Jimmy Campbell, performed at the Midsummer Bluegrass festival with Bill Monroe, Father of Bluegrass, & The Bluegrass Boys (1991), Jim & Jesse (1996), and Dave Evans & River Bend (2001).  Jimmy also brought various configurations of bands with Sidemen who frequented the Station Inn jam sessions in Nashville.

Johnny Campbell is open to reflecting on life on the Nashville music scene, a variety of fiddle licks, and memories of his shared April birthday month with his brother, Jimmy Campbell, at a Meet & Greet opportunity scheduled for Friday at 4:30 PM inside the 1930s vintage Cozy Cove.

5pm: Branded Bluegrass
6pm: Johnny Campbell & The Bluegrass Drifters
7pm: Roe Family Singers
8pm: Dale Ann Bradley Band
Cozy Cove performances from 9pm until 2am
9pm: Hand-Picked Bluegrass
9:30pm: HurleyWoodz Campfire
10pm: Johnny Campbell & The Bluegrass Drifters
11pm: Dale Ann Bradley Band
12am: Roe Family Singers
1am: Branded Bluegrass
2am: HurleyWoodz

Saturday, July 28th

Main Stage performances from 10am until 9pm
10am: Open Mic
11am: HurleyWoodz
12pm: Roe Family Singers
1pm: Branded Bluegrass
2pm: Dale Ann Bradley Band
3pm: Johnny Campbell & The Bluegrass Drifters
4pm: HurleyWoodz
4:30pm : Meet & Greet / Question & Answer

Featuring Dale Ann Bradley

Patrons who attend the 4:30 PM Saturday Meet & Greet may ask Dale Ann Bradley, 5 time International Bluegrass Music Association's Bluegrass Association's (IBMA) Female Vocalist of the Year, questions ranging from tips about vocals to how Women in Bluegrass have historically made their mark on the Bluegrass genre.  Each year over the past 3 decades the Midsummer Bluegrass Stage has been graced by stellar women vocalists.  Dale Ann now joins the elite among the performers at the Manitowish Waters Bluegrass Show who have also been crowned IBMA Female Vocalists of the Year, who include: Alison Krause (1992) Laurie Lewis (1993)  and Claire Lynch (1995).

5pm: Branded Bluegrass
6pm: Roe Family Singers
7pm: Dale Ann Bradley Band
8pm: Johnny Campbell & The Bluegrass Drifters
Cozy Cove performances from 9pm until 2am
9pm: Roe Family Singers
9:30pm: Open Campfire Jam
10pm: Dale Ann Bradley Band
11pm: Johnny Campbell & The Bluegrass Drifters
12am: Branded Bluegrass
1am: HurleyWoodz

Sunday, July 29th

10am: Roe Family Singers
11am: Dale Ann Bradley Band