Event Type : Free Concert

Zach Rovito and Cory Steighner of The Ragged Co. performing an acoustic set at Big Rail Brewing!

” A Unique BREW of Guitar Driven Country and Rock-n-Roll…….TEXAS STYLE”
Rob Keller, and Slim Varhola are back together!!! Along with drummer Dave Parshall, and newest additions, Larry Antinozzi, from Dallas, Texas, and John Parrendo from Export, PA these long time musical buddies from the “sticks” outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania have developed a new fresh sound, with lots of new tunes, and new arrangements of some old favorites.
Drawing from their “old school Country” , Southern Rock, and Blues roots, Rob, Slim and Larry, each bring their own unique, Vocal and Guitar style, then combine them for Lush vocal harmonies, and burning Guitar Jams !! Add the “Icing on the cake”.. the soar of John’s Fiddle, and the added vocals. The Shiners “Guitar Army” create a sound that pulls you in with a heartfelt story, then brings you to your feet with some Foot Stompin, Fiddle sawin, Guitar Jammin, Rock….
Like the moon”shiners” they get their name from, The SHINERS travel the back roads to deliver their product. So, climb aboard, hang on, and enjoy the ride.

Meet Border Ride, the award-winning four-piece bluegrass band hailing from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Led by Nelson Boosel, and featuring Scott Pearson, Joe Zalik, and Fred Theiss, they seamlessly blend traditional bluegrass sounds with today’s modern music. With their four-part harmony, Border Ride delivers wholesome musical entertainment for diverse audiences, aiming to bridge the gap between the timeless appeal of bluegrass and the sounds of contemporary music.

Originally from Bedford, PA, Coltt is an Appalachian songwriter, folksinger, published poet and author, and folklorist. He earned his MFA from Emerson College in Boston, MA & is currently a full-time musician.

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.

We’re excited to welcome back Clinton Clegg, frontman of The Commonheart. This is a free show.

Don’t miss Gary as he swings back through Big Rail with his looping jams and folky vibes. The Big Rail House Band recently dubbed ‘The One Shots’ will be joining him w/ special guest Lyle Borger on organ.

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…..

Cold Chocolate is a genre-bending Americana band that fuses folk, funk, and bluegrass to create a unique sound all their own. Featuring Ethan Robbins on guitar/mandolin and Ariel Bernstein on drums/banjo, this power duo from Boston is impressing audiences throughout New England and beyond. Punctuated by tight harmonies and skillful musicianship, and with a focus on songwriting, Cold Chocolate has quickly gained recognition for their original music and high-energy shows. The band has shared bills with Leftover Salmon, David Grisman, Angelique Kidjo, and regularly performs at venues and music festivals across the country.

Under the name DUUNES, Harrison Cohen creates sly, driving alternative rock that surges with raw energy and electrifying vocals. Growing up in the non-stop action of NYC, DUUNES embodies its restless pulse—its resilience, high stakes, and unbreakable toughness. Big choruses, explosive vocals, and dark swagger put DUUNES in the same arena as The Killers, Walk The Moon, and Kings of Leon.

But DUUNES is more than just music. It’s the rush hour traffic in your head. The pent-up rage that pushes you to the edge. The 4 AM clarity that wrecks your sleep schedule. It’s organized chaos in a waiting room, the loneliness among friends, the empty “I’m doing great, how are you?” in a conversation that means nothing. DUUNES is the sound of a mind racing, a soul unraveling, a storm refusing to break.

DUUNES’ debut EP, Vacation From Myself, dropped on April 12, 2024, with multiple songs featured on editorial playlists across Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. The EP’s focus track, Love Bomb, landed on Spotify’s All New Rock, while Delusional secured a spot on Best of Fresh Finds Rock 2024.

After going viral with his cover of Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked, amassing over 25 million views across TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram, DUUNES took that momentum to the stage, playing The Bowery Ballroom and selling out shows in NYC and Boston. Now he’s gearing up to release multiple singles in 2025 while hitting the road playing shows across the East Coast, with additional dates in the Mid-West.

About SideEye

Hailing from Erie PA, SideEye travels from heavy rock to blues and takes few side roads in between.

About Ben Gage

Ben Gage is an Americana musician from Akron, OH. Ben Gage grew up in the rust belt of Northeast Ohio, spread out in the countryside along the great Lake Erie. His roots run deep alongside the hard working blue collars that Ohio has to boast. That tenacity, love of family, and respect for a long day can be seen in his music. In Fall of 2021 Ben quit his job in the tech-sector to pursue music full time. Now he travels the US sharing stories and songs and always collecting more.

The One Shots are Big Rail’s house band, featuring John DeCola (keys), Bryan Lightner (bass), Bill Smith (drums), and Sean Corbett (guitar).

Midnight Drive is one of the newest and most powerful bands of the Northwestern PA area. Starting as a jam session at the Clarion Bluegrass festival in March of 2010, they quickly became what is now “Midnight Drive”.

The band has already made quite an impact on the local level as well as the national level. The members consists of some of the strongest pickers of the Northeastern part of the country.

Ruby draws upon a lifetime of experience as a songwriter and live performer, creating a unique collaboration of musical styles including elements of her Appalachian roots, classical training, rock, blues, country, jazz and old-time music to forge her own original genre of American Roots music she’s coined “Mountain Soul.”

“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

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.

Tiger Maple String Band is an energetic collection of talented musicians dedicated to continuing traditional and original old-time music. With a home base in Northwest Pennsylvania, a rural setting gives plenty of inspiration towards the continuance of acoustic music. The band features Justine and Alison Parker on fiddle, Barry Smith on banjo and vocals, and Fred Parker on guitar and vocals.

The sound of Tiger Maple String Band has rich historical and cultural values, beautiful harmonies, hot old-time fiddling, and a full-body richness that only acoustic instruments and clear vocals can bring. The band draws its inspiration from a variety of different musical directions, with old-time Appalachian tunes as a central focus. These fiddle tunes, mountain ballads, murder ballads, coal-mining songs, and beautiful originals make up a set that leaves a lasting impression on their audience. Folks walk away with big smiles and good feelings of friendship and love.

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.

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.

FAVORITE BAND
Formed in 2023 by guitarist Danny Rectenwald, Favorite Band is Pittsburgh’s newest jazz-rock band, playing the most danceable, singable, and jam-able tunes. Not a jam band, but a band that jams.

Logan B & Dirty Leaf is an American Roots Rock collaborative from Western Pennsylvania. Soul & Brass.

Kevin, Don, Tom, Dennis, and Jeff are bringing back their wild, newgrass sound that they created all through the region from 2005 to 2016.
This prolific band of songwriters created four CDs of all original music.
Come enjoy a Well Strung celebration!

theCAUSE is a band consisting of 5 Pittsburgh musicians who have all been around the proverbial block.  Playing tunes from Grateful Dead, Phish, The Beatles, Bob Dylan and MORE, including some very tasty originals, theCAUSE packs a punch while still paying close attention to the delicate touch.

Eric “Pappy” Weingrad – Guitar, Vocals
David Tauberg – Bass, Vocals
Mike South – Drums
Jill Simmons – Vocals
Michael Cerveris – Keyboards
 

Catch Jill with her touring, all-female Grateful Dead band, BROWN EYED WOMEN and
catch Pappy with a rotating cast of Pittsburgh’s finest musicians in REUBEN’S PAINTED MANDOLIN – a Tribute to the Music of the Jerry Garcia Band.

theCAUSE has been fortunate to have had many wonderful guests over the years, including STEVE KIMOCK (Voodoo Dead, Jazz Is Dead),  JEFF MATTSON, ROB EATON AND LISA MACKEY (all from Dark Star Orchestra).

Once a year we throw down a colossal fund raiser, organized by our bassman, David Tauberg, called D-JAM. It is always an incredible event and features theCAUSE along with some very special guests. D-JAM has raised over $100,000 over the years for various charities.

You can catch us re-creating a FULL GRATEFUL DEAD SHOW SETLIST every now and again, too!

” A Unique BREW of Guitar Driven Country and Rock-n-Roll…….TEXAS STYLE”
Rob Keller, and Slim Varhola are back together!!! Along with drummer Dave Parshall, and newest additions, Larry Antinozzi, from Dallas, Texas, and John Parrendo from Export, PA these long time musical buddies from the “sticks” outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania have developed a new fresh sound, with lots of new tunes, and new arrangements of some old favorites.
Drawing from their “old school Country” , Southern Rock, and Blues roots, Rob, Slim and Larry, each bring their own unique, Vocal and Guitar style, then combine them for Lush vocal harmonies, and burning Guitar Jams !! Add the “Icing on the cake”.. the soar of John’s Fiddle, and the added vocals. The Shiners “Guitar Army” create a sound that pulls you in with a heartfelt story, then brings you to your feet with some Foot Stompin, Fiddle sawin, Guitar Jammin, Rock….
Like the moon”shiners” they get their name from, The SHINERS travel the back roads to deliver their product. So, climb aboard, hang on, and enjoy the ride.

“This-That & The Other Thing” has been entertaining western PA for the past thirteen years! With “This-That & The Other Thing” you get the best of all worlds; three lead vocalists, both male and female, super three part harmony, solid, danceable music and a compact three piece band that has the power to play outdoor festivals and at the same time fit in to small venues where space is at a premium. We also provide an “unplugged” acoustic version of the band for occasions that call for that. Michelle plays bass, Tony plays guitar, and Vince plays drums. Check out our extensive song list that is filled with an incredible variety of classic rock favorites, mostly from the 60’s and 70’s, but is also sprinkled with more contemporary hits as well as a few country favorites! You won’t find another band in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area that can perform the variety that we can.

Ben Gage is an Americana musician from Akron, OH. Ben Gage grew up in the rust belt of Northeast Ohio, spread out in the countryside along the great Lake Erie. His roots run deep alongside the hard working blue collars that Ohio has to boast. That tenacity, love of family, and respect for a long day can be seen in his music. In Fall of 2021 Ben quit his job in the tech-sector to pursue music full time. Now he travels the US sharing stories and songs and always collecting more.

Folk and Blues music gives us a way to hand along a story, and it’s what fuels Ben’s songwriting and the reason he includes the listener. The best story sets aside the complexities and focuses on honesty. You will find yourself feeling as though you’ve heard his songs before even if it’s your first time. 

To him music has always been a social endeavor. When not playing solo he has The Ben Gage Band, including Dan Socha (Guitar), Brant Novak (Upright Bass) and Spencer Cindia (Drums).

The One Shots are Big Rail’s house band, featuring John DeCola (keys), Bryan Lightner (bass), Bill Smith (drums), and Sean Corbett (guitar).

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.

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.

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.

“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