2021 Festival Schedule
Thursday, July 29th
Opening Night Performances
Outside Tent Area adjacent to the Cozy Cove and/or Inside Cozy Cove
Deke Dickerson typically performs Country Music with his signature guitar, manufactured by the Hallmark Guitar Company of Maryland, and is backed by the Tinglers. Dickerson has devoted his long career to keeping America’s roots music alive while interjecting new creativity into genres of music that flourished in decades previous. Dickerson is 52 years old and has been carrying the torch since he was 13, playing in his first rockabilly band in his hometown of Columbia, Missouri. He moved to Los Angeles at age 22 and proceeded to have founded his primary band, Deke Dickerson and the Ecco-Fonics. Dickerson has written books as a music historian and is currently writing the official biography of guitar legend, Merle Travis.
Open to anyone who wants to get on stage.
Kenny Stinson & Perfect Tym'm will once again grace the Manitowish Water stage after many of entertained patrons from past festivals have requested their return. Kenny's refined mandolin playing and lead signing had been polished over the years while performing as a sideman with Bluegrass greats such as Jimmy Martin and Sunny Mountain Boys, Dayle Eskridge and Changing Times, Gary Waldrip, David Davis and Warrior River Boys, and James Monroe and Midnight Ramblers. This Tennessee-based family band comes complete with International Bluegrass Music Association's (IBMA) Banjo player of the year, Rusty Ferrell.
Irene Kelley’s signature mix of Bluegrass, Country and Americana appeals to music lovers across all genres. Irene’s songwriting has drawn much deserved attention and her pure and lonesome vocal prowess has tugged at the heartstrings of music lovers for years, making her one of traditional music’s most beloved musical story-tellers. Her current full-length album - “Benny’s TV Repair” - garnered five #1 songs on the Bluegrass Today charts and continues to receive coast-to-cast 24/7 airplay on Sirius/XM. As seen and heard at the IBMA, SPBGMA, Grand Ole Opry, the CMA Music Festival, Folk Alliance International, the Americana Music Festival, COUNTRY festival (Belgium), Disneyland Paris, the Equi Blues Music Fest (France), Avila Beach Music Fest (CA), BayFest (AL) and many other venues. Syndicated on-air appearances include Sirius/XM, Acoustic Café, NPR’s Live at Mountain Stage, CMT, and GAC as well as airplay on Country, Bluegrass, Folk and Americana radio stations worldwide.
Kenny Stinson & Perfect Tym'm will once again grace the Manitowish Water stage after many of entertained patrons from past festivals have requested their return. Kenny's refined mandolin playing and lead signing had been polished over the years while performing as a sideman with Bluegrass greats such as Jimmy Martin and Sunny Mountain Boys, Dayle Eskridge and Changing Times, Gary Waldrip, David Davis and Warrior River Boys, and James Monroe and Midnight Ramblers. This Tennessee-based family band comes complete with International Bluegrass Music Association's (IBMA) Banjo player of the year, Rusty Ferrell.
Irene Kelley’s signature mix of Bluegrass, Country and Americana appeals to music lovers across all genres. Irene’s songwriting has drawn much deserved attention and her pure and lonesome vocal prowess has tugged at the heartstrings of music lovers for years, making her one of traditional music’s most beloved musical story-tellers. Her current full-length album - “Benny’s TV Repair” - garnered five #1 songs on the Bluegrass Today charts and continues to receive coast-to-cast 24/7 airplay on Sirius/XM. As seen and heard at the IBMA, SPBGMA, Grand Ole Opry, the CMA Music Festival, Folk Alliance International, the Americana Music Festival, COUNTRY festival (Belgium), Disneyland Paris, the Equi Blues Music Fest (France), Avila Beach Music Fest (CA), BayFest (AL) and many other venues. Syndicated on-air appearances include Sirius/XM, Acoustic Café, NPR’s Live at Mountain Stage, CMT, and GAC as well as airplay on Country, Bluegrass, Folk and Americana radio stations worldwide.
Deke Dickerson typically performs Country Music with his signature guitar, manufactured by the Hallmark Guitar Company of Maryland, and is backed by the Tinglers. Dickerson has devoted his long career to keeping America’s roots music alive while interjecting new creativity into genres of music that flourished in decades previous. Dickerson is 52 years old and has been carrying the torch since he was 13, playing in his first rockabilly band in his hometown of Columbia, Missouri. He moved to Los Angeles at age 22 and proceeded to have founded his primary band, Deke Dickerson and the Ecco-Fonics. Dickerson has written books as a music historian and is currently writing the official biography of guitar legend, Merle Travis.
Kenny Stinson & Perfect Tym'm will once again grace the Manitowish Water stage after many of entertained patrons from past festivals have requested their return. Kenny's refined mandolin playing and lead signing had been polished over the years while performing as a sideman with Bluegrass greats such as Jimmy Martin and Sunny Mountain Boys, Dayle Eskridge and Changing Times, Gary Waldrip, David Davis and Warrior River Boys, and James Monroe and Midnight Ramblers. This Tennessee-based family band comes complete with International Bluegrass Music Association's (IBMA) Banjo player of the year, Rusty Ferrell.
Open to anyone who wants to get on stage.
Friday, July 30th
10 AM to 3 PM Performances On Main Outdoor Stage
To be announced...
Open to anyone who wants to get on stage.
Kenny Stinson & Perfect Tym'm will once again grace the Manitowish Water stage after many of entertained patrons from past festivals have requested their return. Kenny's refined mandolin playing and lead signing had been polished over the years while performing as a sideman with Bluegrass greats such as Jimmy Martin and Sunny Mountain Boys, Dayle Eskridge and Changing Times, Gary Waldrip, David Davis and Warrior River Boys, and James Monroe and Midnight Ramblers. This Tennessee-based family band comes complete with International Bluegrass Music Association's (IBMA) Banjo player of the year, Rusty Ferrell.
Known for their heavenly harmonies, on top of furious fingerpicking, the Henhouse Prowlers band was founded 17 years ago with the simple desire to play original and powerful bluegrass. This quartet now finds themselves at the intersection of performance, diplomacy and education.
On stage, the group's enthralling performances give audiences a sense of how much they love what they do. On record - including their 2021 release and ninth full length album, The Departure - the band explores their collective life experiences through songwriting and intricate instrumentation. While bluegrass is the undeniable foundation of the Prowlers music, the band bends and squeezes the traditional form into a sound all their own.
Irene Kelley’s signature mix of Bluegrass, Country and Americana appeals to music lovers across all genres. Irene’s songwriting has drawn much deserved attention and her pure and lonesome vocal prowess has tugged at the heartstrings of music lovers for years, making her one of traditional music’s most beloved musical story-tellers. Her current full-length album - “Benny’s TV Repair” - garnered five #1 songs on the Bluegrass Today charts and continues to receive coast-to-cast 24/7 airplay on Sirius/XM. As seen and heard at the IBMA, SPBGMA, Grand Ole Opry, the CMA Music Festival, Folk Alliance International, the Americana Music Festival, COUNTRY festival (Belgium), Disneyland Paris, the Equi Blues Music Fest (France), Avila Beach Music Fest (CA), BayFest (AL) and many other venues. Syndicated on-air appearances include Sirius/XM, Acoustic Café, NPR’s Live at Mountain Stage, CMT, and GAC as well as airplay on Country, Bluegrass, Folk and Americana radio stations worldwide.
3 PM to 5 PM Main Outdoor Stage Intermission
Time for workshops, cornhole and frisbee contest, and supper
3:15pm : Bluegrass Institute of the Northwoods Meet & Greet / Question & Answer
Featuring: Irene Kelley
Irene Kelley’s signature mix of Bluegrass, Country and Americana appeals to music lovers across all genres. Irene’s songwriting has drawn much deserved attention and her pure and lonesome vocal prowess has tugged at the heartstrings of music lovers for years, making her one of traditional music’s most beloved musical story-tellers. Her current full-length album - “Benny’s TV Repair” - garnered five #1 songs on the Bluegrass Today charts and continues to receive coast-to-cast 24/7 airplay on Sirius/XM. As seen and heard at the IBMA, SPBGMA, Grand Ole Opry, the CMA Music Festival, Folk Alliance International, the Americana Music Festival, COUNTRY festival (Belgium), Disneyland Paris, the Equi Blues Music Fest (France), Avila Beach Music Fest (CA), BayFest (AL) and many other venues. Syndicated on-air appearances include Sirius/XM, Acoustic Café, NPR’s Live at Mountain Stage, CMT, and GAC as well as airplay on Country, Bluegrass, Folk and Americana radio stations worldwide.
Workshop
5 PM to 9 PM Performances On Main Outdoor Stage
Known for their heavenly harmonies, on top of furious fingerpicking, the Henhouse Prowlers band was founded 17 years ago with the simple desire to play original and powerful bluegrass. This quartet now finds themselves at the intersection of performance, diplomacy and education.
On stage, the group's enthralling performances give audiences a sense of how much they love what they do. On record - including their 2021 release and ninth full length album, The Departure - the band explores their collective life experiences through songwriting and intricate instrumentation. While bluegrass is the undeniable foundation of the Prowlers music, the band bends and squeezes the traditional form into a sound all their own.
Kenny Stinson & Perfect Tym'm will once again grace the Manitowish Water stage after many of entertained patrons from past festivals have requested their return. Kenny's refined mandolin playing and lead signing had been polished over the years while performing as a sideman with Bluegrass greats such as Jimmy Martin and Sunny Mountain Boys, Dayle Eskridge and Changing Times, Gary Waldrip, David Davis and Warrior River Boys, and James Monroe and Midnight Ramblers. This Tennessee-based family band comes complete with International Bluegrass Music Association's (IBMA) Banjo player of the year, Rusty Ferrell.
Irene Kelley’s signature mix of Bluegrass, Country and Americana appeals to music lovers across all genres. Irene’s songwriting has drawn much deserved attention and her pure and lonesome vocal prowess has tugged at the heartstrings of music lovers for years, making her one of traditional music’s most beloved musical story-tellers. Her current full-length album - “Benny’s TV Repair” - garnered five #1 songs on the Bluegrass Today charts and continues to receive coast-to-cast 24/7 airplay on Sirius/XM. As seen and heard at the IBMA, SPBGMA, Grand Ole Opry, the CMA Music Festival, Folk Alliance International, the Americana Music Festival, COUNTRY festival (Belgium), Disneyland Paris, the Equi Blues Music Fest (France), Avila Beach Music Fest (CA), BayFest (AL) and many other venues. Syndicated on-air appearances include Sirius/XM, Acoustic Café, NPR’s Live at Mountain Stage, CMT, and GAC as well as airplay on Country, Bluegrass, Folk and Americana radio stations worldwide.
The Seldom Scene is an American bluegrass band formed in 1971 in Bethesda, Maryland. The Scene has been instrumental in starting the progressive bluegrass movement as their shows include bluegrass versions of country music, rock, and even pop. What does it take for a bluegrass band to remain popular for more than four decades? For The Seldom Scene, it's taken not only talented musicians, a signature sound, and a solid repertoire, but also a sheer sense of fun.
Guitar / Dudley Connell
Mandolin, Guitar / Lou Reid
Banjo, Fiddle / Ron Stewart
Dobro / Fred Travers
Bass / Ronnie Simpkins
9 PM to Closing Performances Inside Cozy Cove Sessions
Kenny Stinson & Perfect Tym'm will once again grace the Manitowish Water stage after many of entertained patrons from past festivals have requested their return. Kenny's refined mandolin playing and lead signing had been polished over the years while performing as a sideman with Bluegrass greats such as Jimmy Martin and Sunny Mountain Boys, Dayle Eskridge and Changing Times, Gary Waldrip, David Davis and Warrior River Boys, and James Monroe and Midnight Ramblers. This Tennessee-based family band comes complete with International Bluegrass Music Association's (IBMA) Banjo player of the year, Rusty Ferrell.
Irene Kelley’s signature mix of Bluegrass, Country and Americana appeals to music lovers across all genres. Irene’s songwriting has drawn much deserved attention and her pure and lonesome vocal prowess has tugged at the heartstrings of music lovers for years, making her one of traditional music’s most beloved musical story-tellers. Her current full-length album - “Benny’s TV Repair” - garnered five #1 songs on the Bluegrass Today charts and continues to receive coast-to-cast 24/7 airplay on Sirius/XM. As seen and heard at the IBMA, SPBGMA, Grand Ole Opry, the CMA Music Festival, Folk Alliance International, the Americana Music Festival, COUNTRY festival (Belgium), Disneyland Paris, the Equi Blues Music Fest (France), Avila Beach Music Fest (CA), BayFest (AL) and many other venues. Syndicated on-air appearances include Sirius/XM, Acoustic Café, NPR’s Live at Mountain Stage, CMT, and GAC as well as airplay on Country, Bluegrass, Folk and Americana radio stations worldwide.
The Seldom Scene is an American bluegrass band formed in 1971 in Bethesda, Maryland. The Scene has been instrumental in starting the progressive bluegrass movement as their shows include bluegrass versions of country music, rock, and even pop. What does it take for a bluegrass band to remain popular for more than four decades? For The Seldom Scene, it's taken not only talented musicians, a signature sound, and a solid repertoire, but also a sheer sense of fun.
Guitar / Dudley Connell
Mandolin, Guitar / Lou Reid
Banjo, Fiddle / Ron Stewart
Dobro / Fred Travers
Bass / Ronnie Simpkins
Known for their heavenly harmonies, on top of furious fingerpicking, the Henhouse Prowlers band was founded 17 years ago with the simple desire to play original and powerful bluegrass. This quartet now finds themselves at the intersection of performance, diplomacy and education.
On stage, the group's enthralling performances give audiences a sense of how much they love what they do. On record - including their 2021 release and ninth full length album, The Departure - the band explores their collective life experiences through songwriting and intricate instrumentation. While bluegrass is the undeniable foundation of the Prowlers music, the band bends and squeezes the traditional form into a sound all their own.
Open to anyone who wants to get on stage.
Saturday, July 31st
10 AM to 3 PM Performances On Main Outdoor Stage
To be announced...
Open to anyone who wants to get on stage.
Kenny Stinson & Perfect Tym'm will once again grace the Manitowish Water stage after many of entertained patrons from past festivals have requested their return. Kenny's refined mandolin playing and lead signing had been polished over the years while performing as a sideman with Bluegrass greats such as Jimmy Martin and Sunny Mountain Boys, Dayle Eskridge and Changing Times, Gary Waldrip, David Davis and Warrior River Boys, and James Monroe and Midnight Ramblers. This Tennessee-based family band comes complete with International Bluegrass Music Association's (IBMA) Banjo player of the year, Rusty Ferrell.
Feed The Dog proved to be an entertaining and just a fun group of individuals to be around at last year's festival---definitely seen as a friend of the Manitowish Waters' Bluegrass Show. Known for their high energy performances more reminiscent of jambase, Feed The Dog is a band driven by the unique and progressive approach of each player. This quartet is hard to peg as imaginative melodies with graceful ambiance are skillfully crafted on the violin, and then move over to be wowed by an acoustic guitar that blends nimble Kottke-like finger picking with the strength of blues and rock. Simply put, Feed The Dog's genre bending, shake-your-hips, instrumental flair is a crowd-pleaser wherever they perform.
Irene Kelley’s signature mix of Bluegrass, Country and Americana appeals to music lovers across all genres. Irene’s songwriting has drawn much deserved attention and her pure and lonesome vocal prowess has tugged at the heartstrings of music lovers for years, making her one of traditional music’s most beloved musical story-tellers. Her current full-length album - “Benny’s TV Repair” - garnered five #1 songs on the Bluegrass Today charts and continues to receive coast-to-cast 24/7 airplay on Sirius/XM. As seen and heard at the IBMA, SPBGMA, Grand Ole Opry, the CMA Music Festival, Folk Alliance International, the Americana Music Festival, COUNTRY festival (Belgium), Disneyland Paris, the Equi Blues Music Fest (France), Avila Beach Music Fest (CA), BayFest (AL) and many other venues. Syndicated on-air appearances include Sirius/XM, Acoustic Café, NPR’s Live at Mountain Stage, CMT, and GAC as well as airplay on Country, Bluegrass, Folk and Americana radio stations worldwide.
3 PM to 5 PM Main Outdoor Stage Intermission
Time for workshops, cornhole and frisbee contest, and supper
3:30pm : Bluegrass Institute of the Northwoods Meet & Greet / Question & Answer
Featuring: Seldom Scene
The Bluegrass Institute of the Northwoods is sponsoring the Meet and Greet session where patrons may ask specifics about the Seldom Scene’s 50 year history. Guests will have the rare opportunity to hear and talk with this legendary Hall of Fame band that is on the must-do list for grasping an essential understanding of Bluegrass Music.
Workshop
5 PM to 10 PM Performances On Main Outdoor Stage
Open to anyone who wants to get on stage.
Kenny Stinson & Perfect Tym'm will once again grace the Manitowish Water stage after many of entertained patrons from past festivals have requested their return. Kenny's refined mandolin playing and lead signing had been polished over the years while performing as a sideman with Bluegrass greats such as Jimmy Martin and Sunny Mountain Boys, Dayle Eskridge and Changing Times, Gary Waldrip, David Davis and Warrior River Boys, and James Monroe and Midnight Ramblers. This Tennessee-based family band comes complete with International Bluegrass Music Association's (IBMA) Banjo player of the year, Rusty Ferrell.
The Seldom Scene is an American bluegrass band formed in 1971 in Bethesda, Maryland. The Scene has been instrumental in starting the progressive bluegrass movement as their shows include bluegrass versions of country music, rock, and even pop. What does it take for a bluegrass band to remain popular for more than four decades? For The Seldom Scene, it's taken not only talented musicians, a signature sound, and a solid repertoire, but also a sheer sense of fun.
Guitar / Dudley Connell
Mandolin, Guitar / Lou Reid
Banjo, Fiddle / Ron Stewart
Dobro / Fred Travers
Bass / Ronnie Simpkins
Irene Kelley’s signature mix of Bluegrass, Country and Americana appeals to music lovers across all genres. Irene’s songwriting has drawn much deserved attention and her pure and lonesome vocal prowess has tugged at the heartstrings of music lovers for years, making her one of traditional music’s most beloved musical story-tellers. Her current full-length album - “Benny’s TV Repair” - garnered five #1 songs on the Bluegrass Today charts and continues to receive coast-to-cast 24/7 airplay on Sirius/XM. As seen and heard at the IBMA, SPBGMA, Grand Ole Opry, the CMA Music Festival, Folk Alliance International, the Americana Music Festival, COUNTRY festival (Belgium), Disneyland Paris, the Equi Blues Music Fest (France), Avila Beach Music Fest (CA), BayFest (AL) and many other venues. Syndicated on-air appearances include Sirius/XM, Acoustic Café, NPR’s Live at Mountain Stage, CMT, and GAC as well as airplay on Country, Bluegrass, Folk and Americana radio stations worldwide.
Feed The Dog proved to be an entertaining and just a fun group of individuals to be around at last year's festival---definitely seen as a friend of the Manitowish Waters' Bluegrass Show. Known for their high energy performances more reminiscent of jambase, Feed The Dog is a band driven by the unique and progressive approach of each player. This quartet is hard to peg as imaginative melodies with graceful ambiance are skillfully crafted on the violin, and then move over to be wowed by an acoustic guitar that blends nimble Kottke-like finger picking with the strength of blues and rock. Simply put, Feed The Dog's genre bending, shake-your-hips, instrumental flair is a crowd-pleaser wherever they perform.
10 PM to Closing Performances Inside Cozy Cove Sessions
The Seldom Scene is an American bluegrass band formed in 1971 in Bethesda, Maryland. The Scene has been instrumental in starting the progressive bluegrass movement as their shows include bluegrass versions of country music, rock, and even pop. What does it take for a bluegrass band to remain popular for more than four decades? For The Seldom Scene, it's taken not only talented musicians, a signature sound, and a solid repertoire, but also a sheer sense of fun.
Guitar / Dudley Connell
Mandolin, Guitar / Lou Reid
Banjo, Fiddle / Ron Stewart
Dobro / Fred Travers
Bass / Ronnie Simpkins
Irene Kelley’s signature mix of Bluegrass, Country and Americana appeals to music lovers across all genres. Irene’s songwriting has drawn much deserved attention and her pure and lonesome vocal prowess has tugged at the heartstrings of music lovers for years, making her one of traditional music’s most beloved musical story-tellers. Her current full-length album - “Benny’s TV Repair” - garnered five #1 songs on the Bluegrass Today charts and continues to receive coast-to-cast 24/7 airplay on Sirius/XM. As seen and heard at the IBMA, SPBGMA, Grand Ole Opry, the CMA Music Festival, Folk Alliance International, the Americana Music Festival, COUNTRY festival (Belgium), Disneyland Paris, the Equi Blues Music Fest (France), Avila Beach Music Fest (CA), BayFest (AL) and many other venues. Syndicated on-air appearances include Sirius/XM, Acoustic Café, NPR’s Live at Mountain Stage, CMT, and GAC as well as airplay on Country, Bluegrass, Folk and Americana radio stations worldwide.
Kenny Stinson & Perfect Tym'm will once again grace the Manitowish Water stage after many of entertained patrons from past festivals have requested their return. Kenny's refined mandolin playing and lead signing had been polished over the years while performing as a sideman with Bluegrass greats such as Jimmy Martin and Sunny Mountain Boys, Dayle Eskridge and Changing Times, Gary Waldrip, David Davis and Warrior River Boys, and James Monroe and Midnight Ramblers. This Tennessee-based family band comes complete with International Bluegrass Music Association's (IBMA) Banjo player of the year, Rusty Ferrell.
Feed The Dog proved to be an entertaining and just a fun group of individuals to be around at last year's festival---definitely seen as a friend of the Manitowish Waters' Bluegrass Show. Known for their high energy performances more reminiscent of jambase, Feed The Dog is a band driven by the unique and progressive approach of each player. This quartet is hard to peg as imaginative melodies with graceful ambiance are skillfully crafted on the violin, and then move over to be wowed by an acoustic guitar that blends nimble Kottke-like finger picking with the strength of blues and rock. Simply put, Feed The Dog's genre bending, shake-your-hips, instrumental flair is a crowd-pleaser wherever they perform.
Sunday, August 1st - Gospel Hours
Open to anyone who wants to get on stage.
Kenny Stinson & Perfect Tym'm will once again grace the Manitowish Water stage after many of entertained patrons from past festivals have requested their return. Kenny's refined mandolin playing and lead signing had been polished over the years while performing as a sideman with Bluegrass greats such as Jimmy Martin and Sunny Mountain Boys, Dayle Eskridge and Changing Times, Gary Waldrip, David Davis and Warrior River Boys, and James Monroe and Midnight Ramblers. This Tennessee-based family band comes complete with International Bluegrass Music Association's (IBMA) Banjo player of the year, Rusty Ferrell.