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.

“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.

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

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.

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The second annual Ghost Town Music Festival

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

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

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

All ages welcome. Rain or shine.

Lineup

Main Stage Acts:

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

Shack Stage Acts:

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

Music All Day

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

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

The VIP Experience

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

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

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

Limited. Intimate. Unforgettable.

Traveling for this event?

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

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

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

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

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

Here is a bio if you want more

About The Buzz Poets:
FACEBOOK | LISTEN

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