2025 Festival Schedule
Thursday, July 24th
Opening Night Performances
Outdoor Main and Side Stages or Inside Cozy Cove
For Artists' Pics & Bios, click plus (+) sign to the right on their time/listing box.
Chris Skinner might be one of the top 10 Chapman Stick players in the world. Enjoy the listening experience that only the Chapman Stick can provide.
Open to anyone who wants to get on stage.
Bluegrass to Swing, and Everything In Between
To be announced...
Bluegrass to Swing, and Everything In Between
To be announced...
To be announced...
Bluegrass to Swing, and Everything In Between
Friday, July 25th
Chris Skinner might be one of the top 10 Chapman Stick players in the world. Enjoy the listening experience that only the Chapman Stick can provide.
Bluegrass to Swing, and Everything In Between
Open to anyone who wants to get on stage.
Tim Graves & The Farm Hands can honestly say they have Bluegrass DNA that has been handed down from the first generation of Bluegrass Music Greats. Tim Graves is the nephew of Bluegrass Hall of Honor Dobro player, Josh Graves (headlined the 9th Annual Midsummer Festival in 1998 with legendary fiddler, Kenny Baker), and Don Wayne Reno, the son of Don Reno, who in the early days of Bluegrass matched his banjo playing innovations with the great Earl Scruggs. The Farm Hands have won a sleuth of Bluegrass Awards including VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR, ALBUM OF THE YEAR, & GOSPEL GROUP OF THE YEAR. Terry Eldredge, bass/vocals, has been requested to sing songs he recorded while being a member of the Grascals Bluegrass Band: Mr. Fix It Is Coming Home, and Don’t Tell Momma I’ve Been Drinking.
Playing Bluegrass, Gospel, Traditional Country, Americana and Folk music.
“Larry Stephenson has always been one of the great professionals in bluegrass music, and I'm proud to call him a friend! These days, he's working with one of the best bands in the business, and this new collection, long in the works, has proven well worth the wait.” – Kyle Cantrell, BanjoRadio.com
The Driftless Revelers have been known to pleasure a crowd with plectral banjo tones, the mournful wailing of resophonic steel guitars, and the up-right bass bellows of an era that can't quite be defined, but revels in the timeless ephemera of weird old-time American music.
With influences as varied and eccentric as a proper musty smelling thrift store record collection, the band grooves merrily through early roots blues and jazz music, to hillbilly and string band howlers, all the way into the not-quite folk but not-quite psychedelic realms of their own creation.
A Driftless Revelers show will lure you in with their joy--keep you dancing with their search for the cosmic groove in the confines of stringed instruments--and will send you on your way with flashbacks of the Driftless Revelery found only in the essence of the intangible reaches of notes once played-- that then fall silent.
The Driftless Revelers formed in the second spring of the first global pandemic of the 21st century, with one ear turned toward the shellac platters and Victrola virtuosos of the early to mid 20th century, and the other ear glued to the soundscapes of the 1960's & 1970's American freak-folk scene.
Band leader, Matt Sayles, returns to the Manitowish Waters stage after winning fans over in 2003 with his band, Frostbitten Grass, Bluegrass Grown From The Cold, Cold Ground. Fellow songwriters Ben Nelson and Jerod Kaszynski, will accompany him at this year’s MidSummer Bluegrass Festival. As a cautionary note, listening to this band perform will very likely put a smile on your face!
You could call them a rock/country/jazz/bluegrass/Celtic band, but they are really an Americana band. The blending of different American roots music creates a unique musical cocktail. From classic covers, traditional and original music, no matter what you call it, you're bound to have a good time.
Driftless Revelers welcome all jammers, particularly those interested in participating in their Mid-Night Jam inside the Cozy Cove.
5 PM Bluegrass Institute of the Northwoods Intermission
The Larry Stephenson Band , Meet & Greet Q & A
(Please have your thought-out questions ready and/or email them ahead of time)
Pick Larry Stephenson mind about vocals, mandolin, and perspectives on Bluegrass Music
Tim Graves & The Farm Hands can honestly say they have Bluegrass DNA that has been handed down from the first generation of Bluegrass Music Greats. Tim Graves is the nephew of Bluegrass Hall of Honor Dobro player, Josh Graves (headlined the 9th Annual Midsummer Festival in 1998 with legendary fiddler, Kenny Baker), and Don Wayne Reno, the son of Don Reno, who in the early days of Bluegrass matched his banjo playing innovations with the great Earl Scruggs. The Farm Hands have won a sleuth of Bluegrass Awards including VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR, ALBUM OF THE YEAR, & GOSPEL GROUP OF THE YEAR. Terry Eldredge, bass/vocals, has been requested to sing songs he recorded while being a member of the Grascals Bluegrass Band: Mr. Fix It Is Coming Home, and Don’t Tell Momma I’ve Been Drinking.
You could call them a rock/country/jazz/bluegrass/Celtic band, but they are really an Americana band. The blending of different American roots music creates a unique musical cocktail. From classic covers, traditional and original music, no matter what you call it, you're bound to have a good time.
Playing Bluegrass, Gospel, Traditional Country, Americana and Folk music.
“Larry Stephenson has always been one of the great professionals in bluegrass music, and I'm proud to call him a friend! These days, he's working with one of the best bands in the business, and this new collection, long in the works, has proven well worth the wait.” – Kyle Cantrell, BanjoRadio.com
You could call them a rock/country/jazz/bluegrass/Celtic band, but they are really an Americana band. The blending of different American roots music creates a unique musical cocktail. From classic covers, traditional and original music, no matter what you call it, you're bound to have a good time.
Tim Graves & The Farm Hands can honestly say they have Bluegrass DNA that has been handed down from the first generation of Bluegrass Music Greats. Tim Graves is the nephew of Bluegrass Hall of Honor Dobro player, Josh Graves (headlined the 9th Annual Midsummer Festival in 1998 with legendary fiddler, Kenny Baker), and Don Wayne Reno, the son of Don Reno, who in the early days of Bluegrass matched his banjo playing innovations with the great Earl Scruggs. The Farm Hands have won a sleuth of Bluegrass Awards including VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR, ALBUM OF THE YEAR, & GOSPEL GROUP OF THE YEAR. Terry Eldredge, bass/vocals, has been requested to sing songs he recorded while being a member of the Grascals Bluegrass Band: Mr. Fix It Is Coming Home, and Don’t Tell Momma I’ve Been Drinking.
Playing Bluegrass, Gospel, Traditional Country, Americana and Folk music.
“Larry Stephenson has always been one of the great professionals in bluegrass music, and I'm proud to call him a friend! These days, he's working with one of the best bands in the business, and this new collection, long in the works, has proven well worth the wait.” – Kyle Cantrell, BanjoRadio.com
Driftless Revelers welcome all jammers, particularly those interested in participating in their Mid-Night Jam inside the Cozy Cove.
Saturday, July 26th
Chris Skinner might be one of the top 10 Chapman Stick players in the world. Enjoy the listening experience that only the Chapman Stick can provide.
Open to anyone who wants to get on stage.
Open to anyone who wants to get on stage.
To be announced...
The Driftless Revelers have been known to pleasure a crowd with plectral banjo tones, the mournful wailing of resophonic steel guitars, and the up-right bass bellows of an era that can't quite be defined, but revels in the timeless ephemera of weird old-time American music.
With influences as varied and eccentric as a proper musty smelling thrift store record collection, the band grooves merrily through early roots blues and jazz music, to hillbilly and string band howlers, all the way into the not-quite folk but not-quite psychedelic realms of their own creation.
A Driftless Revelers show will lure you in with their joy--keep you dancing with their search for the cosmic groove in the confines of stringed instruments--and will send you on your way with flashbacks of the Driftless Revelery found only in the essence of the intangible reaches of notes once played-- that then fall silent.
The Driftless Revelers formed in the second spring of the first global pandemic of the 21st century, with one ear turned toward the shellac platters and Victrola virtuosos of the early to mid 20th century, and the other ear glued to the soundscapes of the 1960's & 1970's American freak-folk scene.
Band leader, Matt Sayles, returns to the Manitowish Waters stage after winning fans over in 2003 with his band, Frostbitten Grass, Bluegrass Grown From The Cold, Cold Ground. Fellow songwriters Ben Nelson and Jerod Kaszynski, will accompany him at this year’s MidSummer Bluegrass Festival. As a cautionary note, listening to this band perform will very likely put a smile on your face!
Playing Bluegrass, Gospel, Traditional Country, Americana and Folk music.
“Larry Stephenson has always been one of the great professionals in bluegrass music, and I'm proud to call him a friend! These days, he's working with one of the best bands in the business, and this new collection, long in the works, has proven well worth the wait.” – Kyle Cantrell, BanjoRadio.com
Tim Graves & The Farm Hands can honestly say they have Bluegrass DNA that has been handed down from the first generation of Bluegrass Music Greats. Tim Graves is the nephew of Bluegrass Hall of Honor Dobro player, Josh Graves (headlined the 9th Annual Midsummer Festival in 1998 with legendary fiddler, Kenny Baker), and Don Wayne Reno, the son of Don Reno, who in the early days of Bluegrass matched his banjo playing innovations with the great Earl Scruggs. The Farm Hands have won a sleuth of Bluegrass Awards including VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR, ALBUM OF THE YEAR, & GOSPEL GROUP OF THE YEAR. Terry Eldredge, bass/vocals, has been requested to sing songs he recorded while being a member of the Grascals Bluegrass Band: Mr. Fix It Is Coming Home, and Don’t Tell Momma I’ve Been Drinking.
The high-spirited Cajun dance music of the New Riverside Ramblers comes from the rich musical heritage of the bayous and prairies of south Louisiana. The band covers a spectrum from old-style fiddle tunes, lively two-steps, soulful waltzes, gritty blues to rockin' honky-tonk sounds – all the sounds from the dance halls and back porches of rural Louisiana.
5 PM Bluegrass Institute of the Northwoods
Grammy Award Winning Dobro Player, Tim Graves, Dobro Workshop
Bring questions on Dobro’s influence on Bluegrass Music
Open to anyone who wants to get on stage.
The Driftless Revelers have been known to pleasure a crowd with plectral banjo tones, the mournful wailing of resophonic steel guitars, and the up-right bass bellows of an era that can't quite be defined, but revels in the timeless ephemera of weird old-time American music.
With influences as varied and eccentric as a proper musty smelling thrift store record collection, the band grooves merrily through early roots blues and jazz music, to hillbilly and string band howlers, all the way into the not-quite folk but not-quite psychedelic realms of their own creation.
A Driftless Revelers show will lure you in with their joy--keep you dancing with their search for the cosmic groove in the confines of stringed instruments--and will send you on your way with flashbacks of the Driftless Revelery found only in the essence of the intangible reaches of notes once played-- that then fall silent.
The Driftless Revelers formed in the second spring of the first global pandemic of the 21st century, with one ear turned toward the shellac platters and Victrola virtuosos of the early to mid 20th century, and the other ear glued to the soundscapes of the 1960's & 1970's American freak-folk scene.
Band leader, Matt Sayles, returns to the Manitowish Waters stage after winning fans over in 2003 with his band, Frostbitten Grass, Bluegrass Grown From The Cold, Cold Ground. Fellow songwriters Ben Nelson and Jerod Kaszynski, will accompany him at this year’s MidSummer Bluegrass Festival. As a cautionary note, listening to this band perform will very likely put a smile on your face!
Tim Graves & The Farm Hands can honestly say they have Bluegrass DNA that has been handed down from the first generation of Bluegrass Music Greats. Tim Graves is the nephew of Bluegrass Hall of Honor Dobro player, Josh Graves (headlined the 9th Annual Midsummer Festival in 1998 with legendary fiddler, Kenny Baker), and Don Wayne Reno, the son of Don Reno, who in the early days of Bluegrass matched his banjo playing innovations with the great Earl Scruggs. The Farm Hands have won a sleuth of Bluegrass Awards including VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR, ALBUM OF THE YEAR, & GOSPEL GROUP OF THE YEAR. Terry Eldredge, bass/vocals, has been requested to sing songs he recorded while being a member of the Grascals Bluegrass Band: Mr. Fix It Is Coming Home, and Don’t Tell Momma I’ve Been Drinking.
Playing Bluegrass, Gospel, Traditional Country, Americana and Folk music.
“Larry Stephenson has always been one of the great professionals in bluegrass music, and I'm proud to call him a friend! These days, he's working with one of the best bands in the business, and this new collection, long in the works, has proven well worth the wait.” – Kyle Cantrell, BanjoRadio.com
The high-spirited Cajun dance music of the New Riverside Ramblers comes from the rich musical heritage of the bayous and prairies of south Louisiana. The band covers a spectrum from old-style fiddle tunes, lively two-steps, soulful waltzes, gritty blues to rockin' honky-tonk sounds – all the sounds from the dance halls and back porches of rural Louisiana.
Tim Graves & The Farm Hands can honestly say they have Bluegrass DNA that has been handed down from the first generation of Bluegrass Music Greats. Tim Graves is the nephew of Bluegrass Hall of Honor Dobro player, Josh Graves (headlined the 9th Annual Midsummer Festival in 1998 with legendary fiddler, Kenny Baker), and Don Wayne Reno, the son of Don Reno, who in the early days of Bluegrass matched his banjo playing innovations with the great Earl Scruggs. The Farm Hands have won a sleuth of Bluegrass Awards including VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR, ALBUM OF THE YEAR, & GOSPEL GROUP OF THE YEAR. Terry Eldredge, bass/vocals, has been requested to sing songs he recorded while being a member of the Grascals Bluegrass Band: Mr. Fix It Is Coming Home, and Don’t Tell Momma I’ve Been Drinking.
The high-spirited Cajun dance music of the New Riverside Ramblers comes from the rich musical heritage of the bayous and prairies of south Louisiana. The band covers a spectrum from old-style fiddle tunes, lively two-steps, soulful waltzes, gritty blues to rockin' honky-tonk sounds – all the sounds from the dance halls and back porches of rural Louisiana.
Playing Bluegrass, Gospel, Traditional Country, Americana and Folk music.
“Larry Stephenson has always been one of the great professionals in bluegrass music, and I'm proud to call him a friend! These days, he's working with one of the best bands in the business, and this new collection, long in the works, has proven well worth the wait.” – Kyle Cantrell, BanjoRadio.com
All Jammers welcome to close out Cozy Cove
Sunday, July 27th - Gospel Hours
Chris Skinner might be one of the top 10 Chapman Stick players in the world. Enjoy the listening experience that only the Chapman Stick can provide.
Playing Bluegrass, Gospel, Traditional Country, Americana and Folk music.
“Larry Stephenson has always been one of the great professionals in bluegrass music, and I'm proud to call him a friend! These days, he's working with one of the best bands in the business, and this new collection, long in the works, has proven well worth the wait.” – Kyle Cantrell, BanjoRadio.com
To be announced...
Tim Graves & The Farm Hands can honestly say they have Bluegrass DNA that has been handed down from the first generation of Bluegrass Music Greats. Tim Graves is the nephew of Bluegrass Hall of Honor Dobro player, Josh Graves (headlined the 9th Annual Midsummer Festival in 1998 with legendary fiddler, Kenny Baker), and Don Wayne Reno, the son of Don Reno, who in the early days of Bluegrass matched his banjo playing innovations with the great Earl Scruggs. The Farm Hands have won a sleuth of Bluegrass Awards including VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR, ALBUM OF THE YEAR, & GOSPEL GROUP OF THE YEAR. Terry Eldredge, bass/vocals, has been requested to sing songs he recorded while being a member of the Grascals Bluegrass Band: Mr. Fix It Is Coming Home, and Don’t Tell Momma I’ve Been Drinking.