Thursday is Bingo Night at Big Rail!

Dan Bubien & the Delta Struts put a blues-infused spin on soulful roots music. Driven by the dynamic guitar playing and soulful gritty vocals of Dan Bubien.  Their signature sound is highlighted by “Sudden” Steve Binsberger on keyboards, and glued together by drummer Shawn McGregor and Jim Spears on bass.

Dan Bubien is a singer/songwriter/guitarist born and raised in the small steel town of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. This rust belt town Northwest of Pittsburgh, has been the launching pad for a career that spans over two decades now culminating with his current band The Delta Struts.

Dan’s professional career began in his mid-teens working along side veteran musicians on the local and regional club circuit of Southwest PA. Along the way, Dan founded and recorded with The Sun Kings  releasing Rub It In (2006) while continuing to hone his skills as a front man and songwriter. As a solo artist, Dan released “Empty Roads” in 2013 with the help of four-time Grammy Award Winning Producer/Engineer Jay Dudt of Audible Images Studios. Capitalizing on his previous success with “Empty Roads”, Dan released his second solo album in August of 2016 entitled “Grinding These Gears”. Self-produced and recorded by legendary Pittsburgh musician Joe Munroe “Grinding These Gears” achieved critical acclaim and charted on the Blues/Rock and World Wide blues album charts respectively.

Fast forward to 2017 and the newest incarnation of Dan’s vision has culminated in the creation of Dan Bubien and The Delta Struts. Gritty and honest, yet always soulful one might think this band hails from a place much further south than the suburbs of northwest Pittsburgh.  Rooted in soul, and versed in a style that harkens back to the days of a classic STAX recording, Dan Bubien and The Delta Struts consistently break new ground with an eclectic spin on the collective music they make. The Delta Struts chart a course that begins and ends with the music always being the first priority. After spending much of 2018 recording what was to become “Thieves and Yesterdays” Dan Bubien and The Delta Struts released their latest album in 2019 to critical acclaim.  Look out for new music releases in the works…..

Tropical soul reggae from the island of Pittsburgh.

“Whenever we’re onstage, we’re just trying to throw a party,” says Clay Street Unit’s Sam Walker. “Life’s hard enough already. We want to remind people to let loose, love each other, and enjoy themselves.”

Celebration. Catharsis. Friendship. It’s all part of Sin & Squalor, Clay Street Unit’s full-length debut. Recorded in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and inspired by the sounds of the Appalachians, it’s a record that blurs the borders between genre and geography. The result is a singular interpretation of American roots music — a sound that mixes the acoustic instrumentation of bluegrass and folk with the amplified energy of Americana and country. Driven forward by drums, sharp songwriting, and the chemistry of six good friends and musical brothers who’ve shared countless hours on stage, Sin & Squalor doesn’t just nod to Clay Street Unit’s wide spread of influences; it reshapes them into something new.

This is now a FREE SHOW! If you got tickets, you should receive a full refund. If you don’t receive your funds, please get in touch using the contact form on our web site (bigrailbrewing.com).

As a band that strives to maintain a healthy equilibrium between their diverse musical backgrounds and the traditional Appalachian sounds, they have wowed audiences across the entire spectrum. This progressively minded Bluegrass act truly feels at home on any stage. They’ve provided direct support for bluegrass legends such as The Seldom Scene, Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen, Yonder Mountain String Band and Larry Keel. On the other side of that coin, they aren’t afraid to get weird at a late night festival slot and have become well known for their tastefully balanced and refreshingly diverse song-writing. Catch their live show and you’ll be sure to receive a full helping of hard-driving bluegrass favorites and heart-wrenching country ballads. Dig into their recorded originals, however, and you’ll find tracks ranging from thoughtful folk lyricism to gritty tales of harrowing adventure.

The Plate Scrapers’ passion for bluegrass and performing shines through their music and performances.  Such is evident in their musical prowess and creative chemistry on stage, guaranteeing a unique and immersive experience each time. The band continues to be fueled by loyal fans and an unrelenting drive to continue moving forward…casually.

DEREK WOODS BAND is an award winning, lyrically driven & timeless Americana/Rock band with a modern polished exterior.
DWB initially formed Los Angeles, California in early 2012, following Solo performances in 2011 by Woods. Later to establish a homebase and core lineup of musicians in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania while gaining a coast to coast following.

As John R. Miller began work on his fifth album, The Great Unknowing, he set out to challenge himself both creatively and geographically. Born in the Washington, DC area and raised in West Virginia, Miller has built a reputation as a thoughtful, boundary-pushing voice in alt-country and Americana, drawing from punk, traditional Appalachian music, and less conventional rock influences. For this record, he left his comfort zone behind and traveled to Tulsa to record at the legendary Church Studio, drawn by the city’s deep musical legacy and its ties to artists like J.J. Cale. Co-produced with longtime collaborator Adam Meisterhans, the album was tracked live with a band of Tulsa-based musicians, including Grammy-nominated John Fullbright, under the steady hand of veteran engineers Gary Laney and Mike Prado. The result is Miller’s most ambitious work to date — a spacious, textured collection that expands on the critically praised Depreciated and Heat Comes Down, blending road-worn storytelling, fuzzy atmospheres, and reflections on movement, memory, and change. Rooted in his West Virginia past yet shaped by constant travel and new collaborations, The Great Unknowing captures an artist trusting the process, embracing risk, and letting the groove lead the way.

Celebrate the arrival of Alyssa Hankey’s anticipated upcomping full-length album, Good Country People, at Big Rail Brewing on July 17th.

Good Country People feels less like a polished narrative and more like a series of lived-in scenes, smoky bars, long highways, motel rooms, pine-covered hillsides, and the quiet moments that sit between love and consequence. Across the record, Hankey writes about blue-collar survival, reckless romance, loyalty, and personal escape, creating characters that are flawed, human, and deeply recognizable.

A traveling troubadour born and raised in the hills of rural western Pennsylvania. Alyssa’s music is unmistakable, with influences that span across many genres. She has released various albums and embarked on several cross-country tours. She also formed Alyssa Hankey & The North Woods, a band that combines folk, country and rock. You can find them playing in and around the Pittsburgh area. Hankey has also shared the stage with artists such as The Clarks, John R Miller, Tommy Prine, Warren Zeiders and Charles Wesley Godwin.

You’ll find her music on Itunes, Spotify, Bandcamp, Google Play, Youtube, etc

Jim Donovan and The Sun King Warriors are best described as a blend of rhythm heavy roots rock, with a strong dose of big barreling drums. Think bluesy Zeppelin-esqe bombast, Santana style percussion with wild Avett Brothers energy.

At a Sun King show, you can expect to dance, sweat and have the time of your life.

The band’s music has garnered radio airplay throughout the US and Canada, and has appeared on Billboard’s Americana chart multiple times.

The band plays regionally at festivals and clubs throughout the mid-atlantic and have opened for 10,000 Maniacs, Donovan’s former band Rusted Root and many others.

Jim Donovan, the band’s founder and writer brings almost three decades of experience to the Sun King Warriors. As a member of the popular 90’s band Rusted Root, he helped shaped the group’s sound and toured with legendary including The Grateful Dead, members of Led Zeppelin, Carlos Santana and the Allman Brothers.

He also co-authored the band’s biggest hit, “Send Me on My Way,” which has been streamed over 100 million times on Spotify and used as the wakeup music for NASA’s Mars rover.

Press quotes:

“Jim Donovan and Sun King Warriors are one of the most eclectic and exciting bands to come out in some time…” -The Washington Times
“Sun King Warriors channel unabashed enthusiasm into a series of songs that are both rowdy and rejuvenating…” -Relix Magazine

Born and raised in Charleston, West Virginia, John Inghram was steeped in the historic music of the region. His mother’s side of the family were church musicians, and he was exposed to bluegrass, country, gospel, and old-time music as a kid. But for Inghram, it is neither the past nor the future that piques his interest. On his self-titled debut album, John Inghram, the accomplished bass player seizes the present moment to step into the spotlight as a frontman. With a collection of 60’s and 70’s psychedelic rock tunes, Inghram sets modern experiences to vintage sounds, allowing his listeners to feel time as circular in nature, hitting on the right now with both nostalgia and innovation.

“Bill Toms is a poet, a soul-shouter and guitar slinger with one foot in the gutter and an eye on the heavens above. And man, does he front a great rock n’ soul band!” – Will Kimbrough/

While it’s hard to put a finger on any one sound that defines “American music,” the compositions of Bill Toms are as close a template as any. The Pittsburgh native, along with his band Hard Rain, delivers a sound that takes the greatest of America’s most beloved genres and melds them into a poetic representation of the best the country has to offer. Bill Toms captures the American conscious with thoughtfulness, honesty, and a groove that keeps the tail feathers moving. 

Toms launched his musical career in 1987 as lead guitarist of Pittsburgh’s legendary band Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers, During that period, he opened for and played with such legendary names as The Band, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Little Feat, and Stevie Ray Vaughn. While playing guitar, co-writing, and adding backup vocals for the Houserockers, Toms and the band recorded six studio albums and one live concert album. In 1995, The Houserockers released American Babylon, which was recorded and produced by Springsteen himself.

As a solo artist, Toms has opened for the likes of Buddy Guy, Levon Helm, Marshall Crenshaw, , Steve Forbert, and Dan Baird.
He’s plotting a string of regional east coast dates to support the release of the single “I Fulfilled My Dream“, in 2024.
For more information and tour dates, please visit www.billtoms.com

Fusing blues, roots, jazz, and ethnic music into their unique style, Lori Russo and the Uppercuts are veterans of Pittsburgh’s music scene. Their eclectic sound is a flavorful gumbo reflective of each members’ distinct background; all coming together to produce a fresh, dynamic, and exciting musical voice heard at venues and festivals throughout the region.

Vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Lori Russo fronts the band and plays bass with John DeCola on organ, piano and accordion, Evan Balzer on guitar, Brendan Kennelty on drums, and Kelly Parker on West African percussion.

Fruition. Three songwriters. Five bandmates. More than 15 years together, building a grassroots audience with a combination of stacked vocal harmonies and collaborative, song-driven Americana. Fruition is proof that there’s strength in numbers. The bandʻs recent releases have showcased a reinvigorated group at the peak of its powers. This is American roots music at its broadest and boldest — a melting pot of rock, soul, folk, and pop. What began as a busking string band has evolved into something more eclectic, rooted not only in the unique delivery of three different singers, but also the cohesion of five friends who prefer their music to be homegrown and honest… mistakes and all. “…there’s a brittle wisdom on this album, a sense of having to piece oneself back together and finding strength in a shared voice,” said Rolling Stone of their 2024 album, How To Make Mistakes. You can expect more music and a new album later this year.

Austin heartland rocker Rick Hornyak’s new Americana LP Dandelion meshes jangly, ringing guitars with introspective and honest lyrics. His raw and emotive vocals have the familiarity of Tom Petty, the urgency of The Replacements and the alt-country gravatas of Alejandro Escovedo.

Brahctopus is a space-rock collective playing originals and covers from many genres including jam-rock, psychedelic, disco, reggae, and funk. The band is balanced with an incredible flow of musicianship; giving space to one another to create musical soundscapes capable of making anyone feel squiggly.

Stay Updated: Follow the festival page on Facebook / Instagram

The second annual Ghost Town Music Festival

Presented by Smilo & The Ghost, Big Rail Brewing Company, and Blue Moon Management

Ghost Town Music Festival takes place August 8th for a full day of music and community.

Gates open at 11:00 AM, with live music starting at 12:00 noon. Enjoy great bands, local vendors, food trucks, and an easy going outdoor atmosphere built around good vibes and connection.

All ages welcome. Rain or shine.

Lineup

Main Stage Acts:

• Smilo & The Ghost
• Jeremy Pinnell
• Paul McDonald & The Mourning Doves
• Magnolia Boulevard
• Bill Taylor

Shack Stage Acts:

• Colton Bowlin
• Joshua Milligan
• Coltt Winter Lepley
• Gracie Yates & Brock Burton
• Charity Nuse

Music All Day

Big Rail’s beer garden gates will open at 11am.… come early so you can get a cozy spot for the day.

The music starts at 12 noon. We’ll have two alternating stages going, so the music will run non-stop until the festival ends at 10pm. The full schedule will be announced prior to the show.

The VIP Experience

The Ghost Town Music Festival VIP experience is limited to just 35 passes and is designed for those who want to settle in early and soak up every part of the day.

VIP guests receive early access to the grounds, first crack at merch lines, and the freedom to choose the perfect spot to post up for the festival. You’ll get a VIP lanyard and an exclusive invitation to sound check with our headliners, including an early tune or two before the day officially begins.

VIP also includes a free 22oz bomber of the first-ever Ghost Town Beer (style to be announced), a commemorative Ghost Town beverage glass, a Ghost Town koozie and sticker, and a concert poster signed by available artists.

Limited. Intimate. Unforgettable.

Traveling for this event?

Have an easy and stress-free time by staying at the Holiday Inn Express, Grove City PA. Receive FREE shuttle service to and from Big Rail Brewing with your stay:

• $159+tax per room (per night). Rates valid Friday 8/7 and Saturday 8/8
• Call 724-748-5514 for the “Ghost Town Music Festival Room Block”
• Online booking link: Ghost Town Music Festival Room Block 
• ** Hotel will contact you directly with shuttle details and times by 7/31** 
• Last day to book reservations: Friday, July 10, 2026

Tickets for this event are non-refundable. Read our FAQs.

The Band will re-create the legendary Graffiti Showcase performance that ultimately became the “Alcohol Abuse Live” record. This launched them into the regional zeitgeist as THE band not to miss, because you never knew what would happen on stage next! The audiences were electric, and that show was absolutely bananas!  

The band is back in that rare form once again and prepared to bring the blistering insanity of 1999 back to the stages of Western PA this summer!

Here is a bio if you want more

About The Buzz Poets:
FACEBOOK | LISTEN

Buzz Poets have been one of Pittsburgh’s most colorful, maniacal and solid bands since 1997 when the flashy and trashy band of rockers first hit the Pittsburgh music scene. Their high energy, alt rock style got people’s attention not only for the stage antics and lyrical content, but for having very well written and memorable songs. The music is all over the map stylistically demonstrating the bands love for everything from the pop punk and ska sounds of 311 and Sublime to Seattle grunge rock, to hip hop and reggae, and of course their love for the Beatles as a songwriting foundation is apparent. Having written some classic radio hits like “Copenhagen Girl”  “Psycho”, and “Parasite” the band played 200+ shows a year for many years, but the most meaningful song the band has ever written is “Angel Eyes” about the tragic loss of a dear friend. These days the band makes rare reunion appearances and consists of Tipper (Vocals, Guitar) Phil MacDowell (vocals, guitar) Tim Gaber (bass, vocals), Justin Sarra (keys, turntables), Ronnie Lavella (drums) and Juan Vasquez (guitar, vocals) The guys continue to bring the energy and the music that the loyal fans have known and loved for decades.

Always gritty, soulful, and sweet, this Pittsburgh-based guitarist is a respected performer who continues to expand his journey and make new fans and friends along the way.

Jimmy Adler is a bandleader with charisma and magnetic stage presence who has played many styles that are always steeped in the blues, yet always stamped with his unmistakable touch.

As a curator and bandleader of weekly Blue Monday performances, Jimmy has supported many of the region’s most well-respected musicians showcasing his ability to organize and deliver exciting shows with a variety of guests.

As a singer and leader of his own band, Jimmy plays mostly original songs from his 5 CDs that are steeped in the roots of Americana music.

Although based in Pittsburgh, Adler has thrilled audiences from the West Coast, over the pond to France, and many points in between. Jimmy is a live-wire entertainer who packs passion and energy into every performance!

Simply put, Jimmy Adler has great style, tone, and feel, and his playing is very satisfying.

NJ roots rock band Widely Grown will host a special celebration of the music of the Grateful Dead with a special performance at Big Rail Brewing on August 15th.
The show highlights another crossover between Widely Grown and Hudson County Grateful Dead tribute group Strangers Stopping Strangers, featuring Widely Grown frontman James Calleo and guitarist Dave DeRiso, both active members of the local Dead scene.
Earlier this year, Calleo and DeRiso also performed as part of the sold out Bob Weir Tribute at Brooklyn Bowl, a special event streamed nationally through Relix and Nugs.net that brought together musicians from across the jam band community to celebrate the legendary Grateful Dead guitarist and songwriter.
Known for blending Americana, rock, improvisation, and community driven live performances, Widely Grown continues to build momentum throughout the Northeast festival and independent music circuit while staying deeply connected to the spirit and songbook of the Grateful Dead.
The August 15 performance at Big Rail Brewing promises an evening of classic Dead tunes, improvisation, and the good vibes that have become synonymous with both Widely Grown and Strangers Stopping Strangers.
Show details and additional announcements can be found through Widely Grown’s social media channels.

The Boom Rockets allows three, top, regional musicians to express their love of Rockabilly, Hillbilly, and Surf Instrumentals. Let Levi, Dave, and Jeff transport you to the Rockabilly era!

With Special Guest The Hawkeyes

About The Clarks

The four original Clarks members Scott Blasey (vocals, acoustic guitar), Rob James (6 and 12-string electric guitars, vocals), Greg Joseph (bass, vocals) and Dave Minarik (drums, vocals) first met while students at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) in the late 80’s.

With a highlight reel that includes The Late Show with David Letterman, The Simpsons, and most recently The Pitt amongst others, The Clarks are enjoying their time together as a band now more than ever. Singing and playing new songs and celebrating 40 years together has rekindled a fire in the band’s sometimes broken, sometimes mended hearts.

Visit The Clarks’ Web Site >>

In addition to this concert on August 22nd, The Clarks will play a second concert at Big Rail on Sept 13th! Click Here for those tickets >>

Agenda

4:00pm – Big Rail Tap Room Opens / Early Check-in Begins

Because of the size of this event, **just for today** we’ll be requiring all visiting patrons to have or purchase a ticket to be on-site. Once you’ve checked in and received a wrist band, you can hang out and have a pint in the tap room & back patio area until the beer garden gates open.

5:30 PM – Beer Garden Gates open for ticket holders

If you’ve checked in and received a wrist band you’ll be able to freely enter & exit the beer garden / venue area starting at 5:30pm.

7:00 PM – Let the Show Begin

The Hawkeyes open the show, followed by The Clarks

Please read the FAQ page for more information on Big Rail’s concerts.

THE REDLINES
Based north of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, The Redlines have spent over a decade refining a sound that blends classic rock and roll with influences ranging from 60s soul and 70s punk to 80s heartland rock. Led by singer-guitarist Brian Seese, the lineup includes lead guitarist Jason Lizzi, bassist Tony Vinski, and drummer Sam Berman. Following their 2023 double-EP, Kick Out Today / Kick Out Tomorrow—produced by Eddie Ashworth (Sublime, Pennywise) and mastered by Gene Grimaldi—the band has released several singles in anticipation of a forthcoming studio album. The band has built a consistent regional presence through performances at venues such as Mr. Small’s, Club Cafe, and the Big Butler Fair, and has been featured in publications including American Songwriter, Ghettoblaster, and the Pittsburgh City Paper. In October 2025, The Redlines expanded their reach with the “Along For the Ride” tour, a 10-day run consisting of nine shows across Ohio, Nashville, Detroit, and Charleston, WV.

After the success of her fiery 2024 LP, Baptized By The Blaze, Nashville outlaw siren India Ramey is back with Villain Era, set for release on May 8, 2026, via Copaco Records/Blue Élan. Baptized By The Blaze was the story of Ramey’s journey through the fire, a harrowing passage toward healing and empowerment. Villain Era is firmly rooted in her own reckoning; it doesn’t ask for permission, it kicks the door wide open.

“This album is the ‘healed’ me,” Ramey says. “I didn’t know how to have boundaries because I was such a people pleaser. When you live your life that way, you lose sight of who you really are. I’ve spent the last few years finding my authentic self, reclaiming my identity. The title track, ‘Welcome To My Villain Era,’ is me saying I’m not going to suffer fools anymore. I’m not compromising anymore. If my boundaries offend you, I’ll happily play the villain in that story.”

Public Water Supply is Rochester, New York’s premier Alt. Rock/Indie Americana act. PWS consists of six university-trained musicians, blending distinctive songwriting, spectacular vocals, and incredible instrumentalists. The band members include: Iggy Marino, frontman; Karis Gregory, Jr., lead guitar; Alex Brophy, team captain and bass; Spencer Kornrich, bus driver and drums; Jordan Paresk, fiddle and vocals; all masters of their craft! The band has been seen on Fox Rochester, WXXI Connections, and Opening Tunings. PWS has performed in the Rochester Lilac Festival, Borderland Music Festival and Estival Festival.The group has boogied their way across the Northeast, Great Lakes, Mid-Atlantic, and New England states. Public Water Supply has sold out venues like Iron Smoke Distillery, Three Heads Brewery, and Buffalo’s Jackrabbit. PWS will pack a punch in the year 2024 as they tour their second album, General Strike.

The Ragged Co. is made up of Zach Rovito on vocals and guitar, Tony Villella on guitar, Cory Steighner on bass guitar and Noah Shearer on drums. The sound of the Ragged Co. can be described as the melting pot of the blue collar entertainment found in and around the Steel City. From the sing-a-long country classics to the rock anthems, it all comes together in The Ragged Co. Notes of Skynyrd, Springsteen, Willie, Petty, Mellencamp, and Yoakam can be detected alongside modern torch bearers like Blackberry Smoke, Cody Jinks, Eric Church, Jason Isbell and more in the recipe that makes up the original music as well as the covers. With only a short time together they continue to make an impact on every audience and are sure to make the most of their time on a stage.

Where does County Music Come from?
From a dirt road…
From the Dirt Roads of Northwest Pennsylvania to be specific. Ray & the County Kind formed in the fall of 2023 when a group of seasoned musicians and good friends got together to do some pickin. Within a few months they were in the studio recording their debut EP, Courtesy of a Dirt Road Vol 1.

R&CK blends the sounds of Old School Outlaw Country, Bluegrass, Rock, and Americana music together creating something unique. Its not Country music its County music!

From Townville, PA Ryan Ray brings the Lead Vocals, Guitar, Fiddle, Mandolin, and Harmonica to the mix.

From Wesleyville, PA the County Kind’s Jon Nolan handles the fretboard magic on Lead Guitar(s), and also lends harmony vocals to R&CK’s sound.

From Waterford, PA the County Kind’s Tanner Edwards holds down the bottom end playing the Standup Bass and Electric Bass, while also contributing his pipes to the cause.

From Edinboro, PA the County Kind’s Steve Barone provides the beat by adding a dynamic dose of Percussion while also adding sweet sweet harmonies.

A traveling troubadour born and raised in the hills of rural western Pennsylvania. Alyssa’s music is unmistakable, with influences that span across many genres. Her lyrics bring you into the heart of the steel mills and the bucolic landscape of rural America.

Raised on country music in a working-class family, Alyssa started playing guitar at the age of twelve and writing songs throughout her high school years. She attended college at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where she studied fine art and graphic design. While attending college she began performing original songs at local open mic nights. For a few years after college, Hankey worked as a graphic designer and began playing solo acoustic shows on the weekends.

In 2018, she decided to quit her job and pursue music full time. Since then, Alyssa has released various albums and embarked on several cross-country tours. She also formed the Alyssa Hankey Band, a four-piece band that combines folk, country and rock. You can find them playing in and around the Pittsburgh area. Hankey has also shared the stage with artists such as The Clarks, The Steel Wheels, The Wildwoods, Warren Zeiders and Charles Wesley Godwin.

Influences: Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Stevie Nicks, John Prine, Tom Petty, Chris Stapleton, Johnny Cash, Allman Brothers Band, Neil Young and many more!

You’ll find her music on Itunes, Spotify, Bandcamp, Google Play, Youtube, etc.

With Special Guest Gene The Werewolf

About The Clarks

The four original Clarks members Scott Blasey (vocals, acoustic guitar), Rob James (6 and 12-string electric guitars, vocals), Greg Joseph (bass, vocals) and Dave Minarik (drums, vocals) first met while students at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) in the late 80’s.

With a highlight reel that includes The Late Show with David Letterman, The Simpsons, and most recently The Pitt amongst others, The Clarks are enjoying their time together as a band now more than ever. Singing and playing new songs and celebrating 40 years together has rekindled a fire in the band’s sometimes broken, sometimes mended hearts.

Visit The Clarks’ Web Site >>

In addition to this concert September 13th, The Clarks are also playing at Big Rail August 22nd! Click Here for those tickets >>

Agenda

2:00pm – Big Rail Tap Room Opens / Early Check-in Begins

Because of the size of this event, **just for today** we’ll be requiring all visiting patrons to have or purchase a ticket to be on-site. Once you’ve checked in and received a wrist band, you can hang out and have a pint in the tap room & back patio area until the beer garden gates open.

3:30 PM – Beer Garden Gates open for ticket holders

If you’ve checked in and received a wrist band you’ll be able to freely enter & exit the beer garden / venue area starting at 3:30pm.

5:00 PM – Let the Show Begin

Gene The Werewolf takes the stage first, followed by The Clarks

Please read the FAQ page for more information on Big Rail’s concerts.

Save the date… Music lineup TBA!

Miranda Dawn and Chris Hawkes first met when he crossed an Austin barroom floor and asked her to dance. The first time they sang together they found a sound Texas Monthly calls “undeniably intimate”. 

Their initial duo effort, Golden Heart,  climbed to No. 25 in Billboard’s Folk chart and landed at No. 2 in iTunes singer-songwriter albums and kicked off a whirlwind of cross-country touring and co-writing.

Dawn and Hawkes recorded their second album, Yours and Mine, in between tour dates with influential artists Alison Krauss & Dan Tyminski, Patty Griffin, Old 97s, Robert Earl Keen and showcasing at festivals like Austin City Limits, Folk Alliance, AmericanaFest, South By Southwest and TEDx on tours in the US and abroad in Denmark, Germany and Australia.

“We’d tour, come home inspired, record a song, tour, rinse and repeat” explains Dawn. Acoustic Guitar hails the musicality of Yours and Mine, as “Impeccable vocal harmonies and instrumentation” Huffington Post summarizes “Transcendent alternative-folk — you will find yourself craving more from this amazing, dynamic duo.” 

While touring, the duo stored their possessions and lived on the road, drawing a lyrical soundtrack from American deserts and mountains, to the South Australian coast. Upon returning to Austin, Dawn and Hawkes finished self-producing their second full-length album, The Other Side, a collection the Austin American Statesman calls “10 new tracks of sweet folk-rock — instantly appealing tunes — rooted in the singer songwriter heyday of the early 1970’s, they also fit well into the modern-day indie-folk revival.”

The newest album from Dawn and Hawkes, Light Inside, was primarily recorded live – in one day – at Arlyn Studios, in Austin, TX. The songs on Light Inside, illuminated by the warm glow of family homes, old guitars, familiar stories, new infatuation and loyal, long-standing love, are captured with the sincerity of their live show.

In a time when the world seems more divided than ever, Dawn and Hawkes celebrate hope and our common humanity with an invitation to embrace the light that comes from all of us.

Fusing blues, roots, jazz, and ethnic music into their unique style, Lori Russo and the Uppercuts are veterans of Pittsburgh’s music scene. Their eclectic sound is a flavorful gumbo reflective of each members’ distinct background; all coming together to produce a fresh, dynamic, and exciting musical voice heard at venues and festivals throughout the region.

Vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Lori Russo fronts the band and plays bass with John DeCola on organ, piano and accordion, Evan Balzer on guitar, Brendan Kennelty on drums, and Kelly Parker on West African percussion.

Always gritty, soulful, and sweet, this Pittsburgh-based guitarist is a respected performer who continues to expand his journey and make new fans and friends along the way.

Jimmy Adler is a bandleader with charisma and magnetic stage presence who has played many styles that are always steeped in the blues, yet always stamped with his unmistakable touch.

As a curator and bandleader of weekly Blue Monday performances, Jimmy has supported many of the region’s most well-respected musicians showcasing his ability to organize and deliver exciting shows with a variety of guests.

As a singer and leader of his own band, Jimmy plays mostly original songs from his 5 CDs that are steeped in the roots of Americana music.

Although based in Pittsburgh, Adler has thrilled audiences from the West Coast, over the pond to France, and many points in between. Jimmy is a live-wire entertainer who packs passion and energy into every performance!

Simply put, Jimmy Adler has great style, tone, and feel, and his playing is very satisfying.

The Blooming Trio is a soulful collaboration between singer-songwriters Bethany Joy, Josee McGee, & Skye Burkett ~ three artists from the heart of the rustbelt whose powerful voices intertwine in three part harmonies. Keys, acoustic & electric guitar, accompany each other creating an intimate, genre-bending sound that feels both timeless and fresh. Drawing from influences that span indie-rock, jazz, folk, and soul, their music blooms with raw emotion, lyrical depth, and vibrant chemistry.

“Homegrown Rock & Soul.” The Jaded Lips is a trio from Altoona, PA. Performing a high energy blend of garage rock, soul & indie that is full of hooks. Unique yet familiar.

Colin has toured and shared stages with a “Who’s Who” of blues and rock artists including B.B.King, John Mayall,Marshall Crenshaw,Deanna Bogart,Scott Holt,The Outlaws,Long Tall Deb, Michael Hill, Chris Duarte, Everclear, Hubert Sumlin, and many others.

After opening for John Mayall on a multi-island tour of Hawaii in 2001, Colin became enamored of the people, culture and music and moved to the Big Island where he dove into the roots of the blues slide guitar;Hawaiian steel guitar.

Studying the music of past masters and with current proponent Alan Akaka, Colin became proficient on the instrument and continues to utilize it both Live and on recording sessions.

Dan Bubien & the Delta Struts put a blues-infused spin on soulful roots music. Driven by the dynamic guitar playing and soulful gritty vocals of Dan Bubien.  Their signature sound is highlighted by “Sudden” Steve Binsberger on keyboards, and glued together by drummer Shawn McGregor and Jim Spears on bass.

Dan Bubien is a singer/songwriter/guitarist born and raised in the small steel town of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. This rust belt town Northwest of Pittsburgh, has been the launching pad for a career that spans over two decades now culminating with his current band The Delta Struts.

Dan’s professional career began in his mid-teens working along side veteran musicians on the local and regional club circuit of Southwest PA. Along the way, Dan founded and recorded with The Sun Kings  releasing Rub It In (2006) while continuing to hone his skills as a front man and songwriter. As a solo artist, Dan released “Empty Roads” in 2013 with the help of four-time Grammy Award Winning Producer/Engineer Jay Dudt of Audible Images Studios. Capitalizing on his previous success with “Empty Roads”, Dan released his second solo album in August of 2016 entitled “Grinding These Gears”. Self-produced and recorded by legendary Pittsburgh musician Joe Munroe “Grinding These Gears” achieved critical acclaim and charted on the Blues/Rock and World Wide blues album charts respectively.

Fast forward to 2017 and the newest incarnation of Dan’s vision has culminated in the creation of Dan Bubien and The Delta Struts. Gritty and honest, yet always soulful one might think this band hails from a place much further south than the suburbs of northwest Pittsburgh.  Rooted in soul, and versed in a style that harkens back to the days of a classic STAX recording, Dan Bubien and The Delta Struts consistently break new ground with an eclectic spin on the collective music they make. The Delta Struts chart a course that begins and ends with the music always being the first priority. After spending much of 2018 recording what was to become “Thieves and Yesterdays” Dan Bubien and The Delta Struts released their latest album in 2019 to critical acclaim.  Look out for new music releases in the works…..