The Dirty Grass Players and Smilo & The Ghost will be teaming up for a co-headline show on the Big Rail Stage!

Band Bios

Smilo & the Ghost is an Americana-grit folk band born from the rustbelt and rooted in redemption. Fronted by singer-songwriter Tyler Smilo, the band blends raw lyricism with vintage tones, cinematic storytelling, and a touch of cosmic twang. Their sound drifts somewhere between dusty desert highways and dimly lit city bars — a fusion of folk, alt-country, and soul with deep emotional bite.

Formed in Erie, PA in 2016, Smilo & the Ghost have shared stages with Grammy winners, national acts, and underground legends alike. Their discography includes Ghost Writers, Fingers Crossed & Godspeed, and the live album Live from PACA, with their newest record Twang & Fire capturing both fire and fragility in a post-pandemic world. Smilo’s lyrics are deeply personal, often exploring recovery, survival, and the ghosts we carry — because he’s lived it.

More than a band, Smilo & the Ghost is a movement of misfits, musicians, and truth-tellers. Whether it’s on stage or on the record, the band invites you to feel something real — and maybe even find a piece of yourself in the process.

Visit their web site >>

The Dirty Grass Players are an energetic explosion of old-time pickin’, coloured with an inventive, newgrass hand, that is given lyrical life by their soaring vocal harmonies that exist on an ethereal plain. They live at the crossroads between the traditional, which is the backbone of what they do, and the progressive with their innovative forward-thinking approach. The Dirty Grass Players, with their steady, workman-like precision and loose adventurous spirit are a band that can both confound Bill Monroe and cause him to smile uncontrollably. Their music is progressive, traditional, experimental, imaginative, and at its core, Dirty.

The Dirty Grass Players formed in 2015 with guitarist Ben Kolakowski and mandolinist Ryan Rogers at a series of informal picking sessions in the Baltimore area. The band quickly started to garner attention in the area, culminating in them winning the competitive Charm City Bluegrass Festival Battle of the Bands in 2017. The band’s original bassist and fiddler left shortly after and they solidified around the addition of bassist Connor Murray. In 2024, Sam Guthridge joined on banjo and the band reemerged as a powerful four-piece.

Since then they have released two albums, 2020’s Beneath the Woodpile and 2023 Shiny Side Up and established themselves as one of the most exciting young bluegrass bands around. With their high-octane shows they have become a mainstay on the festival circuit, being invited to play at some of the the most prestigious gatherings from coast to coast including Delfest, Grey Fox, Kingman Island, Hot August Music Festival, Dark Star Jubilee, Ramble Fest, First Class Music Fest, and many others.

Their latest album Shiny Side Up, produced by The Travelin’ McCourys’ Coldy Kilby, continues to further the evolution of bluegrass with its hard-driving sound that showcases the progressive, darkside of bluegrass with its forward-looking, non-traditional playing and songwriting. In its praise of the album, Bluegrass Unlimited says, “Shiny Side Up validates the arrival of the Dirty Grass Players onto the scene and shows bluegrass is in good hands going forward.

Visit Their Web Site >>

Come hang out for our first ever Maibock Release on May 2nd. Coop’s Maibock clocks in at 6.6% abv and has a beautiful amber tone. Pretzels available for purchase from Two Fraus Bakery, Harmony PA while supplies last.

“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.

Tyler-James Kelly makes 1970s-inspired country music for the modern world. It’s a warm, lived-in sound, created by a longtime songwriter who’s happy to be a torchbearer for the music that’s always inspired him. 

That sound reaches a new peak with Dream River, Kelly’s full-length solo debut. He wrote the album’s 10 songs at home in Rhode Island, during a period of change and rebirth. “My lady and I had just moved into a small, mid-century house on a hill, overlooking a river that I’d grown up swimming in,” he says. “It’s a very humble house, but it does things to you. One day, I just picked up my guitar and banged out a tune about gratitude and the peace that a home like this can bring.”

That song became the launchpad for an entire album that not only pays tribute to the people and places that have influenced Kelly’s life, but also the vintage music that’s fueled him for decades. Inspired by his new surroundings — a deck that he rebuilt himself, a nostalgic river flowing past his property, and a rural landscape that offered a break from the hard hustle of city life — Kelly began to dig deep, writing songs that embraced his longtime love of country music. He had already spent years on the road, fronting a critically-acclaimed blues-rock band, but moving to that house in the Rhode Island countryside helped shift his perspective and his priorities. “I decided I was done with anything that wasn’t 100% authentic in my life,” Kelly explains. “I wanted to show everyone who I really am. People can create a character version of themselves, and I wanted to get rid of that.”

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.

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

Jordan Lee King, the hometown boy from Middlesboro, has Eastern Kentucky roots that run deep. He is proud to be keeping that very heritage alive through his stories & songs. With writing abilities compared to those of Kris Kristofferson and John R Miller, he is sure to impress his audience. His song “Cars & Refrigerators” is a raw and intimate perspective of the trials that come with life growing up in eastern Kentucky. Jordan has released his first full length album labeled “By and By”, that is chocked full of real Appalachian Roots music, which is bound to get you going.

Cris Jacobs has earned his place as one of the most compelling voices in American roots music. A masterful guitarist with a soulful, elastic voice, Jacobs brings both fire and finesse to the stage, weaving rock, soul, Americana, and funk into a sound that’s as dynamic as it is heartfelt. His live performances are renowned for their energy and spontaneity, whether stretching out with searing guitar work or locking into deep grooves with his band. With a rich catalog of acclaimed solo albums and a history of collaborations with artists ranging from Steve Winwood to Sturgill Simpson, Jacobs continues to build on a career defined by authenticity, grit, and musicality. At once a seasoned craftsman and a restless innovator, he delivers songs that speak to perseverance, joy, and the complexities of the human experience—songs best heard live, where his artistry fully comes to life.

Buffalo Wabs and the Price Hill Hustle hail from Cincinnati where they have been crafting a sound that is both rooted in tradition and refreshed by modern sensibilities. This four-piece ensemble confronts the raw expanse of American music, fashioning a live music experience more akin to a bygone era of sweltering summer tent revivals and introspective meditations of the human condition.  

Leaning into the foundations of folk, old-time, and early country and bluegrass, the Hustle has molded a unique blend of these traditions with contemporary influences of psych rock, raucous performative gyrations, and a growing catalogue of personal storytelling to offer a product solely their own.  Strong vocal leads from Casey Campbell, the drummer, and Matt ‘Wabs’ Wabnitz, the guitarist, anchor a sonic landscape full of lilting harmonies and powerful counter-melody; and with the multi-instrumental leads of Scott Risner and Bill Baldock abounding the audience is guided through a show that defies most genre labeling and denominations.  The Hustle aims to take its’ legions to a church experience regardless of an individual’s origins; all are welcome and encouraged to embark on the journey.  

The group’s upcoming recordings and albums expand on the already thick palette by adding new voices and layers, sometimes leading the group to perform as a six-piece ensemble.  New music slated for mid-Spring 2026 promises to be both a departure from previous endeavors while holding fast to the core of the passion and performance that has laid the foundation for the past thirteen years, leading to a devoted and committed fanbase across the globe.  Jumping from banjos, to fiddles, to electric guitars, to four-part harmonies keeps the audience wholly enthralled with what may be coming next… And with the growing directions of the Hustle, that anticipation will lead folks on a most exciting mission of new music exploration. 

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.

Chet Vincent and the Music Industry is a rock n’ roll band from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For fans of George Harrison’s soul, Neil Young’s dirt, Gram Parsons’ country, and Tom Petty’s jangle.

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.

Other-Worldly, Party Music of the Past, Present and Future, New Planets is an ever evolving cast of singers and players. Blending countless sonic narratives and perspectives, the group has become known for creating dance music defying borders and genres.

West Park Road is an all acoustic four piece using duet vocals intertwined with violin melody lines backed up by guitar and a unique and entertaining take on percussion. Coming from four very different backgrounds has led to an eclectic mix of music from Simon and Garfunkel to Imagine Dragons, Dolly Parton to Matchbox 20.

Music has guided Driftwood to hallowed ground many times since its founding members, Joe Kollar and Dan Forsyth, started making music as high schoolers in Joe’s parents’ basement. Whether the Upstate New York folk rock group—which today also includes violinist Claire Byrne, bassist Joey Arcuri, and drummer Sam Fishman—are converting new fans on a hardscrabble tour across the country or playing to a devoted crowd at hero Levon Helm’s Woodstock barn, the band’s shapeshifting approach to folk music continues to break new ground. And yet in many ways Driftwood’s latest work, the transformative December Last Call, finds the group coming home. 

Recorded in that very same basement where the Driftwood dream began, December Last Call lyrically reflects on the recent past, musing on the ways the group grew up, together and apart, through curveballs like new parenthood or pandemic shutdowns. But sonically, the band’s sixth album looks confidently to the future, experimenting with new sounds while staying true to the bluegrass roots that built them. Across the album’s nine tracks, the band often leans into hard-rocking electric guitars and driving percussion: On “Every Which Way But Loose,” we get a foot-tapping beat and a sweeping chorus, and on “Up All Night Blues,” the band shines with an ambling, sing-along-able reflection on the challenges of new motherhood. But other tracks, like standout closer “Stardust,” take a simpler route, allowing bare-bones vocals and acoustic instrumentals to underpin a deeper emotional message.

One of Driftwood’s biggest differentiators—and perhaps its biggest strength—is the sheer breadth of talent in its lineup, with Claire, Joe, and Dan all contributing as songwriters and vocalists. This creative push-pull, where each selects songs to share with the group and record together, bakes vulnerability and collaborative spirit into every recording. “It’s at the heart of what we do,” says Dan. “Everybody has a strong love for songs, for songwriting, and we each appreciate everybody else and the way that they contribute to that.” 

While 2019’s acclaimed Tree of Shade tapped Simon Felice as producer, the band opted to self-produce this latest effort, leaning into their creative impulses and striving to capture their distinctive live energy. Figuring out how to channel that on-stage intensity into a recording has actually, in many ways, been a lesson in restraint. “When I look back at the things we were writing and playing, oh, I don’t know, 10, 12 years ago, they were really arranged: a lot of you do this here, we’re going to do this there, we’re going to break down, we’re going to do a big build,” Claire explains. “These days, it’s more like, ‘Let’s play the song and just see what happens.’”

This approach makes all the more sense when you consider Driftwood’s live shows, which operate not only as effervescent, twang-studded musical parties, but also as reunions for their throng of devoted listeners—folks who have started to feel less like fans and more like something bigger. “They’re supporters. They’re friends,” explains Joe. “It’s crazy how much love we’ve got and how many wild situations on the road we’ve gotten out of because of those people.” Many of them are quite literally invested in the band’s future: December Last Call was a crowd-funded effort, and it wasn’t the band’s first. It’s as if every listener, ticketbuyer, album backer, and general band evangelist is in on Driftwood’s biggest secret: this whole band thing has endured for nearly two decades because it offers a kind of community you can’t get just anywhere.

“Driftwood is basically a beautiful friendship that happens to play music together,” says Joe. “I know it’s rare. I know I’m lucky to know these people and lean on them and go through these massive life changes together.” For Driftwood, each song is like a journal entry: cathartic to create, yes, but capable of unlocking new lessons—and when shared—forging new bonds. “We’re communal, right? Humans need to be connected,” Joe says. “And we get to have this special thing.”

Bastard Bearded Irishmen are a Celtic rock band from Pittsburgh, PA. Their music combines high-energy modern punk rock with traditional Irish folk roots. Though members have come and gone since their formation in 2008, the current line-up is cemented by front-man & founder Jimmy Bastard, Ryan Warmbrodt (guitar/vocals), Sean-Paul Williams (bass), Paul Dvorchak (mandolin), Steve LaRussa (drums), Luke Zacherl & Stephen Weiss (fiddle)

You’re more likely to believe these guys are from Dublin then the South Hills of Pittsburgh. An immensely talented and dedicated group of musicians that could hold their own on stage with The Pogues, Flogging Molly or Dropkick Murphys. No band from Pittsburgh makes me want to drink more. – Randy Baumann, WDVE Morning Show

Straight out of Atlanta, GA, The Waymores are the real-deal honky-tonk duo keeping country music raw, road-worn, and rooted in truth. Fronted by husband-and-wife team Kira Annalise and Willie Heath Neal, the pair mix unique vocal stylings, unvarnished storytelling, and a wry sense of humor into a sound that’s equal parts classic country grit and modern Americana soul.

Since hitting the road together in 2018, The Waymores have toured relentlessly across the U.S., U.K., and Europe, sharing stages with Dale Watson, Wayne Hancock, Kelley Willis, Summer Dean, and Scott H. Biram. Their high-energy live shows, equal parts heartbreak, honky-tonk, and banter, have earned them a devoted following on both sides of the Atlantic.

Their third studio album, Greener Pastures (2023), was produced by legendary hitmaker Shel Talmy (The Kinks, The Who, David Bowie) and drew critical acclaim, with singles spending multiple weeks on the Alt-Country Specialty Chart, breaking into the Top 10 alongside names like Tyler Childers, Colter Wall, and Lucinda Williams.

Now, with their fourth album The Knot set for release in February 2026, The Waymores are doubling down on what they do best: songs about love, heartache, and the highway. Recorded in Nashville with rising producer Mose Wilson (Hannah Juanita, Eliza Thorn, Sweet Megg), The Knot promises a mix of wit, grit, and unflinching honesty, anchored by the couple’s lived-in chemistry. 

Rolling Stone praised the album, saying “‘The Knot’ is tailor-made for the ballroom and evokes, the chemistry of Johnny Cash and June Carter…,” while No Depression noted, “with The Knot, the Waymore double down on their allegiance to the sounds and themes of golden age in Nashville.”

Whether they’re tipping their hats to tradition or twisting it with a modern grin, The Waymores keep one boot in the past and one on the gas. For them, country music isn’t about costumes or trends, it’s about stories worth telling, songs worth singing, and the miles between every honky-tonk along the way.

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

Big Rail presents John “Papa” Gros

With special guest opener The Billy Price Band

“Sharing New Orleans with the world is my calling.” – John “Papa” Gros

New Orleans has its fair share of musical ambassadors, but few are more rooted in the cracked sidewalks and popping speakers of the Crescent City than John “Papa” Gros. Born and raised in the city, Gros melds funk, rock, jazz, and blues to deliver a sound that is both innovative and unmistakably New Orleans.

Gros launched his career as a solo performer in the early 1990s, quickly gaining attention from marquee artists such as George Porter Jr. and Snooks Eaglin, both of whom brought him on board as a supporting musician. As he sat behind the keys, backing up some of the city’s most iconic musicians, he soaked in a lifetime of experience and continued to develop his craft. He released his solo debut, Day’s End, in 2004.

The next dozen years would be dedicated to leading and recording six albums with his band, Papa Grows Funk. He returned to solo work with 2016’s River’s On Fire and cemented his legacy as a part of the direct lineage of New Orleans music with 2020’s Central City. The complete self-portrait of John “Papa” Gros has been revealed.

In keeping with the energy and spirit the Big Easy is known for, Gros is a consummate live performer. His infectious band shows have been the highlight of festivals and venues across the U.S. and Europe, showcasing versatile musicianship, relentless grooves, and eclectic songcraft of the highest order.

Drawing on the full breadth and depth of his extensive catalog, Gros’ live performance marries style with substance, bringing that unique, can’t-put-your-finger-on-it magic of New Orleans and infusing the audience with a joyous energy few artists can match.

John “Papa” Gros is a bedrock New Orleans artist, a keyboardist, singer and songwriter who draws on funk, rhythm & blues and Americana songcraft; he also knows his way around the Mardi Gras music repertoire about as well as anyone. -The New Orleans Advocate.

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!

Jam scene mainstays Joe Bellanti, Corey Kertzie and Dave Ruch met in 1983 as members of Buffalo NY Grateful Dead cover band “Wild Knights,” a group that still plays reunion shows to this day.

But it wasn’t until early 2020 that they wrote their first original music together, this time as three-piece instrumental organ trio/funky jam band Organ Fairchild.

“Fiery, passionate and deeply musical”
– Jeff Miers, The Buffalo News

The debut gig was just a month before COVID shutdowns, but the horse was out of the barn and the response was immediate!

” 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.

Buffalo Rose is a singularly spectacular six-piece band from Pittsburgh, PA. Overflowing with the bold and unfettered joy of their inimitable blend of “Theatre Kid Americana,” a Buffalo Rose show is a celebration of creative wonder; a sparkling sonic delight. Their live show is where their energy fully shines, and songwriting is their lodestar. The band’s recorded catalog is full of vibrantly emotive and methodically arranged songs, sure to thrill the mind and charm the heart.

Asleep in your heart for 19 years, Idiosympathy is awakening in 2026 for two big reunion concerts: First at Mr. Smalls Funhouse Friday June 19th (get Mr. Smalls tickets by clicking here) and at Big Rail Brewing June 20th (tickets available here through SimpleTix).

When the band said goodbye in 2007, they left behind two self-produced releases that stood the test of time: The 2007 full length Overachiever In Love, and the 2005 EP We Have Lost Our Self Control. Both were re-released on all the major streaming services in 2025, to the surprise and delight of a dormant fan base.

Both reunion concerts promise to revive what stood out about Idiosympathy shows: thick textures, driving rhythms, memorable melodies, intricate arrangements, and soaring vocals… with both old and new tunes and some brand new twists. The four original members will be teaming up with two new players, John DeCola and Brian Schultz, to deliver the full instrumentation from the albums and more.

The band is also pleased to announce a limited, 100 copy vinyl run of Overachiever In Love. The LP will be available for pre-order through the ticket page for the Big Rail show, and will be available for sale at both shows (if they don’t sell out from pre-orders).

Visit the Idiosympathy web site >>

Idiosympathy is teaming up with their old friends School Of Athens, and new friends Posterchild and Gary Musisko. Check them out if you have a chance. (Gary is playing at the Mr Smalls show, and School of Athens at the Big Rail show. Posterchild is sharing the bill at both shows.)

“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.

“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.

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.

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.

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.