Described as “an intrepid composer, architect of sound and beast of the bass…” (Brad Cohan, NYC Jazz Record) composer, bassist, and improviser Max Johnson is one of the most prolific music makers in the jazz, bluegrass, improvised music, and contemporary classical worlds. Johnson has released nearly 20 albums and performed over three thousand concerts internationally with artists like Anthony Braxton, Geri Allen, Mary Halvorson, David Grisman, Tyshawn Sorey, Ingrid Laubrock, Henry Grimes, Candido Camero, Sam Bush, Nels Cline, and many more.  He has composed commissions for the Jerome Foundation, Society of Composers Inc, University of Glasgow, has been featured on over seventy albums, and can be heard in Spike Lee’s Academy Award winning film, “The BlacKkKlansman”. For this concert, Max Johnson presents his incredible new trio with Neta Raanan on tenor saxophone and Eliza Salem on drumset, celebrating their 2024 album, "I'll see you again".  This trio explores Johnson’s more traditional jazz compositions inspired by innovators Charles Mingus, Mal Waldron, and Thelonious Monk, while always featuring Johnson's unique energetic and chaotic soundworld.

"Multi-faceted bassist Max Johnson helms a terrific trio... Here and elsewhere, evidence of Johnson's composer's ear surfaces in how cannily he extracts maximum impact from the three voices." - John Sharpe, The New York City Jazz Record. $20.

The talented No Name Band of attorneys and judges out of Cuyahoga County bring their singers, horn, and rhythm sections to provide music to dance to or sit back and enjoy.  They will rock the place for a fun filled early evening event you won't want to miss.

$20 donation requested.

Some of Cleveland’s best play together. It is an experience!! Jackie Warren, Joe Hunter, George Foley, Doug McCutcheon, with Gerry Parisi on drums. JUST US will open the show. $20 donation requested.

Enjoy Pogie’s great bake!! Dinner served at 4:00. JUST US will perform! Details/price of bake to follow.

Thirty years as a professional songwriter, traveling troubadour, solo performer, and as the trusted sidekick of Texas Americana songwriting icon, Guy Clark,  Verlon has viewed the world from stages everywhere from Barcelona to Binger (his hometown in Oklahoma).

Along the way Verlon Thompson compositions have been recorded by Jimmy Buffett and Alan Jackson, Dierks Bentley, Anne Murray, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Kenny Rogers, Randy Travis, Del McCoury, Sam Bush, Trisha Yearwood and many more.

Equally important in his songwriting and live performances, Verlon's guitar work cannot go unnoticed. His guitar can be heard on recordings by Restless Heart, Pam Tillis, and many more, including, and especially Guy Clark.

Verlon has co-produced Guy Clark's Grammy nominated cd "Cold Dog Soup" as well as "The Dark", "Workbench Songs" and "Somedays the Song Writes You".

As the in-house musician for Genuine Human Productions (genuinehuman.com) Thompson scores themes and background music for documentaries and special film projects. $20 donation requested.

Crowd favorite Teeny Tucker’s latest album, “Put on Your Red Dress Baby”, (2019) went to #2 in the world (Living Blues Radio chart), and was nominated for 2 Blues Blast Magazine Awards, Female Artist of the Year, and Traditional Album of the Year! In addition, she was nominated for the “Koko Taylor Award” for Traditional Blues Female Artist of the Year by the Blues Foundation in Memphis! Teeny is a member of the Columbus Blues Alliance “Blues Hall of Fame.” Tucker is one of the brightest stars in the blues genre and has gained an international reputation as a dynamic performer on stage as well as a recording artist. Teeny is the daughter of the renowned blues-singer-pianist-composer Tommy Tucker, who wrote and first recorded “High Heel Sneakers,” a pop-classic that’s been performed by Elvis, the Beatles, and the Rolling Stones. 

Her musical journey has seen Teeny perform at many of the major Blues Festivals in the US, Sweden, France, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, and Italy. She has been invited to appear on the same bill with great blues artists such as BB King, KoKo Taylor, Etta James, Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, Keb Mo, and many others. Teeny has also been nominated for many “Artist of the Year” awards including 2014 & 2012 Blues Music Award “Artist of the Year”, 2013, 2011, and 2008 Blues Blast “Artist of the Year” and 2014 Living Blues Magazine “Artist of the Year”. She won the Monterey Bay 2010 Blues Artist of the Year Award. Teeny has also been honored by the “Jus Blues” foundation for 2017 Blues “Historian.” Teeny was just nominated for 2024  "Traditional Female Blues Artist of the Year" by the Blues Foundation of Memphis!! $20.

 

Jump in the convertible, put the top down, head to the malt shop, fire up the juke box!!  The CLAYTON BROTHERS BAND is returning to the barn.  Please join us for a night of 50’s and 60’s rock that’ll take you back!! $20. No more seats available!

Bent String performs a mix of early American roots music, including early jazz, acoustic blues, and originals . The quartet centers on the vocals of Kari Ann Rutushin and underpinned with the feel of jazz age swing. With Reed Simon’s hot violin, Kevin Richards on acoustic guitars and Cleveland Blues Hall of Fame upright bassist, Raymond  DeForest. 

Kari is a singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Champion, OH. and is a professional vocalist with a decade of sharing stages across Northeast Ohio. She entertains with her uke, piano, washboard, and flute in the styles of jazz, folk, R&B, country, and pop.

Ray is Bent String's all-star bassist and vocalist. And a Cleveland Blues Hall of Fame member. Ray is an acoustic and electric bass master who teaches jazz, blues, and other styles of roots music at Musicologie in Cleveland Heights.

Reed is the up front soloist in Bent String. He also works with the music group the Hot Club of Cleveland, the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, and Hot D’Jang, performing swing, bebop and beyond. 

Reed performs in the Bluegrass Band, Lost Bob and the Ozone Ramblers and has been known to light op the room with a stomping fiddle tune.

Kevin plays many different guitar styles. He is recognized by the Ohio Arts Council as a master musician in the Piedmont guitar style. He also plays mandolin, fiddle and banjo. Kevin founded the non-profit organization Roots of American Music in 1999, and served for over two decade in various roles.

$20 donation requested.

Critically acclaimed and internationally recognized singer/songwriter Lawrence Lebo has been recording and performing her own brand of American Blues and Roots music now for several decades. Named “Best Blues Singer” by the LA Weekly Best of LA issue Ms. Lebo racked up several awards for her last release titled Old School Girl including two Global Music awards, an LA Critics award, and a Hollywood Music in Media nomination. Lawrence has been well reviewed by such magazines as DownBeat, Music Connection, and Blues Blast to name a few. On stage Lebo is a witty and engaging performer, and her band is stellar! $20.

“Ms. Lebo took complete control of the stage. She was a comfortable performer who worked her audience well, often at times offering humorous as well as educational explanations for her choices. She had style, spunk and charisma! This was a thoroughly enjoyable evening.”.

~ MUSIC CONNECTION MAGAZINE

With heartfelt vocals, honest songwriting, blazing instrumental solos, and an undeniable onstage musical chemistry, this quartet is the definition of great Americana music.  $20.

Nitebridge will rock the house and have you tapping your feet to your favorite Motown and R&B tunes with their outstanding vocalists and musicians in the 11 piece show band! Moss has been musical director for Broadway musicals and has performed with the likes of Spyro Gyra, Chuck Berry, Blood Sweat & Tears, & Robert Lockwood Jr. $20. No more seats!

Gospel choral music performed in the Black church tradition by area singers and musicians directed by Rev. Terrance Bivins. Come early for the Soulful Buffet catered by Steel Magnolia. Menu: Shrimp and Grits, Pulled Pork, Candied Yams, Coleslaw and Peach Cobbler, Vegan option available. $15.

Rachel Brown and the Beatnik Playboys are a delicious musical anachronism – Americana music of today that seems like it could have come from a time when milk came in glass bottles and doctors still made house calls. Powered by singer-songwriter Brown’s multi-octave voice, fed by guitarist Dave Huddleston’s tasty licks and harmonies, decorated by the smooth grooves of string bassist Bill Watson and drummer Roy King, the band journeys through the musical landscape of country, jazz, blues and gospel on a trip you want to take over and over.

 Rachel has opened for many top artists including  Emmylou Harris, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Peter Cooper & Eric Brace, Nathan Bell,  Mary Chapin Carpenter, Bill Kirchen, Chuck Mead, Phil Lee, Loretta Lynn, Ray Stevens, Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, Vern Gosdin, Clint Black , Alan Jackson, Aaron Tippin, Bill Monroe, Ralph Stanley,Richie Furay, Donna the Buffalo, The Carpenter Ants, Little Jimmy Dickens, Southern Pacific, Ricky Scaggs, David Jacobs Strain  and The Judds. Rachel is also a music teacher for the Elyria City School District. $20.

Salute to Southern Rock (Allman Brothers, Marshall Tucker) with special tribute to Lynryd Skynyrd.   $20 donation requested. No more seats available!

BLUES & ROOTS MASTER STACY MITCHHART returns to The Barn! Stacy brings power and joyful energy to his live performances.  His original songwriting, playful delivery, and roadhouse virtuosity have won him an international following and made him the ambassador of the Music City blues scene.  Stacy created the “Other Side of Nashville” to highlight other musicians that are also non-country.

 THE OTHER SIDE OF NASHVILLE CONCERT SERIES” is an intimate performance by 2 artists, showcasing their performing and writing skills in a concert style setting. Each artist will do a set, then a final set with both of the artists performing together.

1.    Stacy Mitchhart-Stacy has been to the Barn almost every year since we opened. Consummate showman and captivating performer Stacy Mitchhart has been rocking Nashville for over twenty years. He’s played from coast to coast, and internationally with several bands and been leading them since a young age. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Stacy was raised on a diet of soul and jazz. Over the years as a young adult Stacy worked his way up through the Cincinnati blues scene, leading bands and creating a name for himself. By ‘93 he had started his own music label and released his first CD. His career thus far includes 14 CD’s. In ‘96 he took his talent to Nashville and hasn’t looked back since. Stacy has won the Albert King Award and been inducted into the Canadian Blues Hall of Fame. While in Nashville he has led the house band/headliner at Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar for more than 18 years.

2.    Gary Vincent (Garyvincentmusic.com) Gary J. Vincent is an entertainer, record producer, film producer, musician, recording engineer, and songwriter. His songs are filled with keen insights, passion, and wit. They have been recorded by Mickey Gilley, Leon Redbone, John Anderson, The Crickets, Gary Morris, Tompall Glaser, Chris LeDoux, and many others. As an entertainer, Gary has a unique way of connecting with his audiences. The Pittsburgh Post Gazette once wrote “Gary Vincent throws a party every time he goes on stage.” A performance by Gary J. Vincent is one to remember.

 As a film producer he created a series called “Down to the Crossroads” a joint venture with Hollywood actor, Morgan Freeman. Volume One of the series was nominated for a Blues Music Award. Gary and his wife, Carol, are the owners of “The Clarksdale Soundstage”, an eclectic recording studio and soundstage located in Clarksdale, Mississippi.  His work as a producer has been twice nominated for Grammys. One with Charlie Musslewhite for the"Juke Joint Chappel" CD, the other for a co-production with Elvin Bishop for a tune on Elvin's "The Blues Rolls On" CD. After taking a break from performing to pursue other music and film interests, Gary recently  realized that he missed sharing his music with live audiences. Armed with a number of great new songs, he is enjoying touring again.

Gary has just returned from a month of touring in Australia with the great Fiona Boyes.

                                                                     $25 donation requested.

Long Time Gone performs the music of Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young, their work together, individually, and previous bands like Buffalo Springfield. Also included: Joni Mitchell and Judy Collins songs. $20

No more seats available.

A tribute to Fleetwood Mac returns to The Barn!  They will take you on a three decade journey through the best dance era of our lifetime.  No more seats available.

$20.

Solid State is a Jazz/R&B group with their own style and soulful sound. Flavorful R&B grooves served up by rhythm section Doug Johns and Chris Ceja keep audiences jumpin’ in their seats, especially when Rafael Guzman turns up the heat on congas and percussion. Keyboardist Ted Buckosh provides subtle padding and fierce soloing while Junior Gonzalez weaves saucy rhythm on guitar. Saxophonist Utah Witherspoon’s climactic solos bring listeners to their feet!

They have opened for or worked with Tito Puente, Joe Lavano, Arturo Sandoval, Steve Miller Band, Victor Wooten (Bela Fleck), Average White Band, and more. $20 donation requested

From the hills of Appalachia, The Kevin Prater Band brings that Pure Kentucky Sound. The Kevin Prater Band bases their sound on strong vocal harmonies, built around high trios, and their style is reminiscent of the classic Seldom Scene and 1970's Country Gentlemen performances. They are also steeped in the tradition of Gospel music, and pride themselves on the a capella hymns and great gospel songs that people have come to enjoy. The band includes classic country in their repertoire and loves bringing old familiar favorites to life. Add a little vintage rock and roll and you never know what else you might experience at a KPB show! $20 donation requested.

Join The Clayton Brothers Band as they salute the 50's and 60's members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Blues, country, psychedelic, British Invasion and more. Peace!!

$20 donation requested.

Sam Hooper is a captivating American musician from Cleveland, Ohio. His alluring blend of blues, rock, jazz and funk has thrilled audiences in China, Switzerland, Finland, Japan and the USA. His soulful vocals have been compared to Otis Redding, while critics have likened his blistering guitar playing to Jimi Hendrix and Carlos Santana.

WINNER of the 2018 Northeast Ohio Blues Association, (NEOBA) BLUES CHALLENGE, Sam Hooper Group were Semifinalists in the The International Blues Challenge (IBC) in Memphis, TN, January, 2019.

A graduate of Florida’s University of Miami School of Music and an alumni of Berklee College of Music’s Songwriting Program in Boston, Hooper is also an experienced educator. Most recently, he joined Roots of American Music (ROAM) in Cleveland as a Teaching Artist. In this position, he lead classes of high school students in writing and performing songs together about diversity and intolerance. He has taught guitar privately for over 10 years in Cleveland, Boston, Los Angeles and Shanghai to students from five years old to adults. He also teaches beginning ukulele, piano and vocal lessons. In Beijing, China, he and his bandmates each conducted master classes at the contemporary music college, Beijing Midi School. Hooper served as a music teacher and staff assistant for the Shaker Heights Youth Center’s summer program for elementary students in 2009. 

With five CDs released on the FBJoy Records label, Hooper’s songs have been heard by millions on the hot daytime TV Dramas “All My Children” and “The Young and the Restless.”

In 2009, Hooper won the “King of the Blues” competition hosted by Guitar Center’s Cerritos, CA store. A documentary of Hooper’s musical journey was produced by a Boston area Cable TV provider and can now be enjoyed on youtube.com.

Sam Hooper Group has opened for American blues greats, Shemekia Copeland, Coco Montoya, Ronnie Earl, Curtis Salgado, Samantha Fish, Matthew Curry, Luther “Guitar Jr.” Johnson, John Nemeth, and also for England’s Number One Blues Guitarist, Matt Schofield.

$20 donation requested.

Hughes, Hall & Denney will perform a very special tribute to Roy Orbison along with some soulful, bluesy selections from their upcoming CD. They are award winning world-class musicians, which were influenced by legendary Blues, Soul, and RnB Artists. Guitarist Robert Hughes has been inducted into the Columbus Music Hall of Fame, and the Columbus Blues Hall of Fame. Dennie Hall (lead vocals/bass) and Jeff Denney (drums/background vocals) found regional and national prominence in the band “Cold Sweat”.
HUGHES, HALL & DENNEY – THREE DEDICATED “LIFETIME” MUSICIANS … ONE SOLID, SOULFUL EXPERIENCE! $20 donation requested.

The Sweetback Sisters are decking the halls with their modern take on the golden age of country music. This wildly popular show delivers a veritable explosion of yuletide splendor, complete with trivia, prizes, and, of course, all the holiday tunes you know and love. Year-round, The Sweetback Sisters and their band of brothers wow audiences with their family-style harmonies and blazing instrumentals. For this show, the Queens of Christmastime put their signature twist on holiday classics and hidden gems that are sure to get even your scroogiest uncle in a festive spirit. Songbooks and plenty of warm fuzzy feelings provided. $20.

The members of KINGFISH are local boys who have been rocking venues throughout Northeast Ohio in various bands for the better part of the last several decades. Founding members Dan Rockas (drums), Joe Toledo (guitar), and Frank DeSmit (vocals, bass) began as a power trio playing classic and alternative rock, but in this latest musical incarnation have stripped the sound down to its essence with acoustic string instruments and melodic harmonies. Joe adds banjo, pedal steel, lap steel, and harmonica to his repertoire, while Frank now plucks an upright bass. Add to the mix Chip Madigan on mandolin and Tony DeSmit on guitars/vocals, and the result is an evening of unique musical takes on classic rock favorites, roots rock, folk, "new-grass" and otherwise classic American music done right with lots of strings and brother harmonies!

Special guests for the evening are THE HUMBUCKERS, playing American Rock and Roll, Rockabilly, and Roots music the way it was meant; with a hollow body Gretsch guitar, standup bass, and stripped down drum kit. Guitarist Tim Schleicher, bassist Dave Schindler, and percussionist Donny Shumaker blast through favorites from Stray Cats, Johnny Cash, The Paladins, Carl Perkins and many traditional rockabilly hits.

$15 donation requested. SOLD OUT! NO MORE SEATS AVAILABLE!

Join us to hear our Project DREW songwriters explain their process, perform some songs from the past years, and pay tribute to our Veterans. Suggested Donation: $20. NO CHARGE FOR VETERANS!

DREW & CLAUDIA DOMAN & FRIENDS’ tribute to Woodstock by recreating some of the music of the performers at Woodstock back in 1969.  JUST US will do the CSNY set. Prepare for memories!! $15 donation requested. NO MORE SEATS AVAILABLE.

The Clayton Brothers will be starting up the VW bus and driving it back in time to the hippie era.  We’re calling it our “Hippie Love and Peace Easy Rider Rock Festival.”  So, get your tie-dye shirts and bell bottoms out of mothballs and join us for a “musical” trip back to Haight-Ashbury, Woodstock, Monterey, Altamont and the Hippie Culture. 

For all of you non-hippies, they’ll also be doing a set of their usual 50s and 60s catalog.  Clayton Brothers Band -Primitive Rock and Roll for the “now” generation. $15 donation requested. 

The Family Sowell is an all-sibling, contemporary bluegrass band from Knoxville, Tennessee, featuring driving instrumentation, tight family harmony, and original songs written straight from the heart. Their music melds passion and love together with a good dose of laughter, creating an authentic performance that inspires audiences everywhere. $15 Donation requested.

Ray Flanagan is a Cleveland, OH based songwriter that writes and performs his songs with the no nonsense attitude of a skilled journeyman. Flanagan has performed with nearly everybody in the Northeast Ohio music scene, lending his keen musical sense and guitar artistry to artists of all genres. Even though he is one of the most sought after guitarists in Northeast Ohio, it’s his songwriting that is his true superpower. The shutdown forced Flanagan to mobilize a different outlet for his creativity, resulting in the quickened pace of releasing two self-produced songs on the first Friday of every month starting in January of 2021. These unfiltered songs offer the listener an authentic experience of a songwriter realizing their potential with every new song. Keeping a mind for music history and a creative target on the present moment, his songs and lyrics are signposts to his perception of the things that are happening right now.  Ray is also one of our Project DREW songwriters. $15 donation requested.

Time Traveller, 4 decades of music by the Moody Blues. The Moody Blues originated the Rock/Orchestra experience. Time Traveller performs at festivals, theaters, concert venues, and corporate events throughout America and has opened for Kansas, Poco, Blue Oyster Cult, Pure Prairie League, to name a few.  Time Traveller has been simulcast on radio and television.

$15 requested donation.