Delicious tacos of al pastor, pork, carne asada, chorizo, vegetarian tacos, stove beef.

Born into a long line of farmers, steel workers and preachers, Matt tends to gravitate towards traditional American forms of music. Matt has recorded and self released 4 albums, “Hangin’ On”, “Take The Back Roads”, “Seems Like Forever” w/ Micah Dunn, “Barstools and Church Pews”, and his most recent, live recording, “Live: As Usual” featuring Jim Zahniser on lead guitar.

Love stinks, right?!

If you’re anti-valentine or just wanna have some fun stop out to Big Rail.

Singles and Couples welcome, HOWEVER, if you are caught kissing, holding hands, or doing any COUPLE-type things, you will be escorted off the premises!”

Special musical guest ‘The Roof’.

Food truck ‘Taqueria El Pastorcito’ 

Grab a beer while at the slopes!

Big Rail is pleased to be guests of Mount Pleasant Ski Resort near Edinboro, PA on Feb 11, 2023. Beer flows from 1pm-9pm.

Local Craft Beer
Bites from Slopeside Grille
Family Friendly
Ski Rentals Available
Toasty Fires
Check out https://www.skimountpleasant.com/ for more info!

By blending hues with psychedelic Rhythm & Blues, The Roof possesses a tonal duality that combines the Classic Rock era with soundscapes that reflect the sign of the times.

After meeting in 2015 at Penn State University, and honing their skill through DIY tours, dive bars, and makeshift mountain stages, the group has gained a dedicated following throughout Pennsylvania. The Roof has had the honor of opening for several notable acts such as Snail Mail, The Brook & The Bluff, Sam Burchfield, Cabinet, Moon Hooch, Rookie, The Clarks, and more.

In 2018 they recorded their first EP Tangled Lives in their college apartment, and have since released a live EP Live at 3 Dots, Along with singles “Highway,” “We Sure Did,” and “Blending Of The Hues,” which were also all self-produced and engineered.

They’re currently working with producer Rich Stine on their first L.P. (first single “Shangri-La,” released 9/2/22, has amassed over 120k streams to date), who’s worked with acts such as The Head And The Heart, Joshua James, and The Bones Of J.R. Jones. 

It’s a giant bonfire. Enough said.

The six-stringer song singer from Erie, PA.

Big Mike’s Food Shack is a family-run business founded in 2020 by Mike and Tom Lyons.

Alex Talbot is a Pittsburgh based guitarist/vocalist who performs as a solo act, with a duo, and with multiple full bands on countless stages in and around the Pittsburgh area. Alex’s passion has always been music. He began playing guitar at the young age of nine years old and has been performing live music for 20+ years. His skillful, melodic guitar playing along with his strong and authentic voice match his enormous repertoire of creatively crafted covers and well written original tunes. His song list covers many eras and styles touching on classic rock, folk, blues, jazz, roots, soul, americana, psychedelia, and more. His presence and passion awakens any room he plays

It’s a giant bonfire. Enough said.

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.”

Dad Bodz is a food truck from Jackson Center, offering a wide variety of restaurant-quality burgers, fresh-cut loaded fries, and more.

It’s a giant bonfire. Enough said.

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.

Join us in Ridgway for the 2023 Mountain Fest. This is an indoor event with a huge variety of vendors, including food and beverage vendors.

We’re an indie folk duo hailing from Johnstown, Pennsylvania. As full time musicians, we perform at a wide variety of special events and locations across Pennsylvania and surrounding states (but we’re always up for traveling further)!

So why did we choose the name, ‘The Evergreens?’ While we do love  Christmas and the smell of cedar, we call ourselves The Evergreens because of the songs we play. We cover hits that have stood the test of time and have never “gone out of season” – much like evergreen trees. We put our own indie/folk twist on hits ranging from the 1950’s-1990’s (with a few modern songs in the mix). This allows us to connect with all people in an audience – young and old. (Example: We’ve rocked the stage at both a 100-year-old and a 3-year-old’s birthday party!) 

I have been playing the Blues for over 35 years starting with the
Zipper City Blues Band,with Dave Steele, Dennis Wieland,Brian Whitney we ran for 9 years in 1992 i formed the Rodger Montgomery Blues Band and have had it since. Along the way I had the pleasure of sharing the stage with Johnny (Clyde) Copeland,Otis Rush, i spent a year in the trenches playing with Big Jack Johnson and the Oilers, Lonnie Shields,and John Brim. I released the critically acclaimed Album Rodger Montgomery Blues Band in 1993 which has been heard all over the world. In 1996 I played on Big Jack Johnson’s Album “We got to stop this killing”
2002 I wrote the Song “The Forgotten Ones” for the NAACP video production company the whole video is accompanied by My Music.
2012, and 2014 Winner in the Blues category for the Rock Erie Music Awards REMA’s

The newly formed five-piece Shelf Life String band immediately began developing their sound, taking on every show possible. Weekly rehearsals lead to additionally weekly engagements and opened the doors to a myriad of high-profile performances. They have shared the stage with Greensky Bluegrass, Cornmeal, Pokey LaFarge, Mac Martin, Gangstagrass and more. The quintet also had the honor of performing for Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto’s campaign at events throughout his election run and was featured during his inauguration party at the Senator John Heinz History Center.

The Shelf Life String Band recently recorded their long-awaited debut LP, “Another Evening and Other Tales,” which will release on March 20, 2014, at Howler’s Coyote Café in Bloomfield. Releasing in tandem with the album will be a new beer brewed by Rock Bottom Brewery and head brewer Brandon McCarthy called “Shelf Life India Pale Lager.”

“Everyone says it, but we truly are eclectic…” says  bassist Greg Thurman about his band,18 Strings – an acoustic string trio
based out of Morgantown, WV. The three members– Andy Tuck (vocals/guitar/harmonica),Chris Jones (mandolin/fiddle) and Thurman (bass) – come from different musical backgrounds spanning everything from jazz to folk, and rock to classical.
The result is a seamless fusion of styles that incorporates smart songwriting,tight harmonies, refined technique, and an airtight groove uniquely defined as Appalachicana (part Appalachia, part Americana).
 

The band released its self-titled debut album in mid-2016 and have since signed with Mon Hills Records, West Virginia University’s record label, with whom they’ve produced their sophomore full-length album, Single Wide. Appalachia is a culturally rich region that 18 Strings is proud to call home.
 

Their aesthetic draws from the people of the mountains and their stories. The organic sound of voices, a guitar, mandolin, and upright bass matches the miles and miles of rolling hills that hide centuries of musical tradition. The band considers making music in West Virginia to be an amazing experience. With a cultural backdrop so rich in tradition and an ever-evolving scene,
it’s a wonderful place to be a musician.
 

While the band’s music is rooted in Appalachian musical styles,  the musicians themselves are influenced by other American types of music, including acoustic classic rock songs like Going to California by Led Zeppelin and Fearless by Pink Floyd and artists like Bob Dylan, John Prine, Lead Belly, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Allman Brothers Band, and The Beatles. Appalachicana is geographical in location, but American music in scope.

The Dirty Grass Players, a four-piece new-grass band from Baltimore, is known for having one toe-tappin’ foot in traditional bluegrass while pushing boundaries with their blazing musicianship. Composed of Connor Murray on bass, Alex Berman on vocals & banjo, Ben Kolakowski with the guitar & vocals, and Ryan Rogers on mandolin, this group has been giving their growing fan-base a down and dirty performance for over five years. 

Their ability to seamlessly transition from down-home bluegrass to spirited improvisation makes each performance unique. Mix in some Allman Brothers, Pink Floyd or a dash of southern rock and you’ll quickly understand what they mean by “Dirty Grass”. 

Entering into their sixth year together, The Dirty Grass Players released their 2nd studio album, “Beneath the Woodpile”. Put together with alluring harmonies, lyrics, and melodies, the band presents a sound precisely at the crossroads of traditional and progressive bluegrass. This isn’t just another run-of-the-mill bluegrass album or band; it’s cathartic and dirty grass. 

Join us for our first annual BLACK KNUCKLE WINTER BLUEGRASS FEST!

 Look for craft vendors, tons of bluegrass, fires, food trucks, and of course lots of our fan favorite beer “Black Knuckle IPA”

The Line-up thus far. More to come. Times TBD.

 The Dirty Grass Players (Baltimore, MD)
 Shelf Life String Band (Pgh, PA
 18 Strings (Morgantown, WV)

We’re doing a suggested donation of ONLY $5 / person to help cover cost of the entertainment.

Pittsburgh-based Bastard Bearded Irishmen is one of the most entertaining and energetic live shows today. Their sound is an original, ferocious blend of traditional and contemporary Celtic music, mixed with punk, gypsy and high-energy rock n’ roll.

A traveling troubadour born and raised in the hills of rural western Pennsylvania. Shaping her signature sound developed from her teenage years, 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.

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.”

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.

The Shootouts’ sound is reflective of their Northeast Ohio “Rustbelt” roots. Akron, Ohio – the city that produced the Pretenders, the Black Keys, and Devo – isn’t a place normally associated with country music, but these influences are as integral to their sound as those of the country music greats. The bulk of Stampede was recorded at Son of Moondog Studios over a five-day period that brought Benson, Seifert and Asleep at the Wheel to Northeast Ohio to work with the Shootouts on the band’s home turf.

Stampede also finds the Shootouts working with a notable array of Americana heavy-hitters. There’s the high-speed opening kiss-off “Better Things to Do,” which features Marty Stuart’s unmistakable bluegrass-tinged mandolin. Benson and members of Asleep at the Wheel get in on the fun with the western swing-rooted “One Step Forward.” Raul Malo of The Mavericks lends soaring harmony vocals to “I’ll Never Need Anyone More,” a song written by Cleveland music legend Michael Stanley, who passed away in 2021. Country hit songwriter Jim Lauderdale joins the Shootouts on the Bakersfield-esque “Tomorrow’s Knockin’” while famed guitarist, singer-songwriter, and producer Buddy Miller sings with the band on the California-country-rock number “Anywhere But Here.” 

Chris Rattie is a songwriter, producer, and multi- instrumentalist living in the hills of Central Pennsylvania. Since 2013, Chris has released two full length albums, All These Things and Porch. After forming his band, The New Rebels, they released a self-titled EP together in 2020.  Their sound is simultaneously anthemic, cathartic, and intimate. Their songs are steeped heavily in Americana and Roots Rock with nods to Alt Country and Indie Rock as well. Pittsburgh City Paper asserts Rattie is “…full of idiosyncratic melodies and catchy, unexpected hooks.”, drawing comparisons with Ryan Adams, Steve Earle, Dire Straits, and White Album era Beatles.  

Chris Rattie & The New Rebels upcoming album, Begin Again, is a continuation of a sound that still pushes the boundaries of Americana music. This new collection of songs is a step further outward with explorations in 60’s Classic and Garage Rock alongside harmonica driven Folk and Blues. The songs are concise and focused, the lyrics are directly on the nose. It is a perfect snapshot of a ‘hearts on their sleeves band’ at that moment in time.  

Begin Again will be released in Fall 2022 with upcoming shows to be announced soon.

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. The players are Eric “Pappy” Weingrad on guitar and vocals (Double Dose, Pappy’s Blues Junction), David Tauberg on bass and vocals (Powers Run Band, Hard to Handle, Cherylann Hawk),  Mike South on drums (Left for Dead, Sticky, Russ Lauf Band) and, joining us in 2008, Pittsburgh blues veteran Jill Paone Simmons brings a whole new dimension to theCAUSE on vocals and continues to rock with us today. Jill also fronts the all female Dead band Brown Eyed Women .  Kip Lieber on keyboards, who also performs with Fungus.

The six-stringer song singer from Erie, PA.

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.

Songs have always been a way to tell a story for Ben. 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), Brendan O’Malley (Mandolin), Brant Novack (Upright Bass) and Spencer Cindia (Drums).

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 “Keep Movin’ On”, as well as a full European tour in 2022.

We’re happy to once again be hosting East Main Church for two Easter Sunday Services.

Details TBA.

A traveling troubadour born and raised in the hills of rural western Pennsylvania. Shaping her signature sound developed from her teenage years, 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.

We’ll be serving draft beer at the Rendezvous in Ridgway all weekend… come find us!

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.

Come check out the local wares at the Big Rail Local Market!

Vendor list TBA.

A traveling troubadour born and raised in the hills of rural western Pennsylvania. Shaping her signature sound developed from her teenage years, 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.

In five short years, high-octane power funk trio Baked Shrimp has become a top up-and-coming artist in the jam scene. The high energy young talents Jared Cowen (Guitar/Vocals), Scott Reill (Bass/Vocals), and Jager Soss (Drums/Vocals) from Long Island, NY keep it fresh from night to night with their repertoire of over one-hundred original songs and have performed over two-hundred concerts on their many extensive tours throughout the east coast and mid-west. Baked Shrimp has provided direct support for artists such as Aqueous, Mihali (from Twiddle), Kung Fu, Freekbass, and more. In the past year they have also become a well-known name in the festival circuit. Highlighted festivals include Adirondack Independence Music Festival, Catskill Mountain Jubilee, Great South Bay Music Festival, Memorial Meltdown, Some Kind of Jam, Karnival of the Arts, and their very own hosted LonCon festival.

Veterans of the festival and live music circuit in Pittsburgh and the surrounding tri-state area, the funk-rock group, HABATAT, have shared stages with The Soul Rebels, Pink Talking Fish, Twiddle, The Heavy Pets, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, and Joe Lewis Walker, among others. 

“This group will leave you floored with their energetic live performance…a raw boogaloo of sound.” -The Jamwich

HABATAT carries the flashy vibes of some of the legendary funk bands, like Chicago and Blood, Sweat & Tears. The group has been described as “Allman Brothers with horns,” a testimony to their pocket grooves, soaring guitar solos, tight horn lines, and powerful vocals. There is no doubt that HABATAT sets the footprint for the groove.

Juvenile Characteristics is a 5-piece acoustic/electric band committed to playing our favorite covers and our own original music. The live experience is what we thrive on, promoting the peace and love that has shaped our lives.

Jay is a singer-songwriter from Pittsburgh.