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.

Matt French Guitar + Vocals
Mike South Percussion
Jess Matthews Vocals
Mary Caton Violin
Kevin Ondriezak Mandolin
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.

Join us for Trivia Night, with DJ Trivia Mercer County every Wednesday at 7pm!

$1 off drafts till 7pm.

Thursday is Bingo Night at Big Rail!

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 The Billy Price Band

John “Papa” Gros (pronounced Grow) is a New Orleans pianist, organist and singer-songwriter whose career reflects the city itself resilient, rhythmic, steeped in tradition, and always evolving. For more than thirty years, Gros has served as both a keeper and a translator of New Orleans music, blending funk, R&B, jazz, blues, rock, and Americana into a sound that is deeply rooted yet forward-looking.

Born in New Orleans, Gros embodies his hometown’s culture and deeply rooted traditions, absorbing its music and spirit. He began playing piano and French horn at age eleven and attended Loyola University in uptown New Orleans, graduating with a degree in French horn performance. While his formal training provided discipline and technique, Gros’ real education came from the school of hard knocks in the clubs and on the streets—learning the language of groove, feel, and restraint from the musical elders who had built the city’s sound.

That apprenticeship took shape in the ’90’s, when Gros evolved into a first-call sideman for some of New Orleans’ most revered artists. His tenure with George Porter Jr.’s Runnin’ Pardners placed him in direct lineage with The Meters and the architects of New Orleans funk, while tours with Snooks Eaglin, Earl King, Better Than Ezra, Anders Osborne, Irma Thomas and others sharpened his musical instincts and sense of purpose. These years cemented Gros not just as a formidable keyboardist, but as a musician entrusted with carrying cultural weight.

Gros’ keyboard style, equal parts Professor Longhair, Dr. John, Art Neville and Randy Newman, follows in the great New Orleans piano tradition while forging a modern and innovative style and sound, placing him in direct lineage with and a torchbearer for the next generation of New Orleans greats.

The Billy Price Band

Billy Price first attracted national attention during his three-year association with guitarist Roy Buchanan. Price is the vocalist on two of Buchanan’s LPs, That’s What I’m Here For and Live Stock. Since then, with the Keystone Rhythm Band, the Billy Price Band, and solo projects, Billy Price has recorded and released a total of 21 albums, CDs, and DVDs.

Price’s album This Time for Real, with the late Chicago soul singer Otis Clay, received a 2016 Blues Music Award in the category of best soul blues album. He was nominated 11 times for BMAs between 2019 and 2025 and won the 2024 Bluebird Reviews Lifetime Career Award in the U.K.

Person of Interest (2024) on the Little Village label was nominated for 2025 BMAs for Soul Blues Album and Album of the Year. Price’s new album featuring the Billy Price Band is titled Random Madness (May 1, 2026 on GetHip Label).

The Billy Price Band, based in Billy’s hometown of Pittsburgh, Pa., consists of Dave Dodd (drums), Tom Valentine (bass), Ian Arthurs (guitar), Jim Britton (keyboards), Eric Spaulding (sax), and Joe Herndon (trumpet).

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.

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:
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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.

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!

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.

Save the date… Music lineup TBA!

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…..