Roots and Blues Festival

Get ready to groove, sway, and let the soulful melodies take you on a musical journey at the second annual Roots & Blues Festival! Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of sounds that define the essence of Americana music.

Bands Featuring

Saturday 9/28 Acoustic Lunch Show in The Barn, starts at 12:00pm

Tom Pevear - 12:00 - 1:00 PM

Im always working on new songs, A Pevear set will include his arrangements of songs from artists as diverse as Ray Charles, Mose Allison, Rev. Gary Davis, and The Delmore Brothers, alongside orginals and classic songs taught to him by mentors like Jorma Kaukonen, Roy BookBinder, Tom Feldmann and Frank Fotusky.‘I’ve been very lucky to be able to meet and learn from the generation of musicians who were around in 1960’s when all these great songs were being dug up, and many of the musicians who recorded them were still alive and active. It’s been a true blessing in my life’Pevear has played at iconic venues like the Mercury Lounge and The Colony in Tulsa, Magnolia Motor Lounge in Ft. Worth, and the Larimer Lounge in Denver, and opened for acts like Matt Tedder, Nik Parr, Kind Hearted Strangers and John Fullbright. He plays over 150 shows a year, touring regularly around the Central United States.es to ones I’ve played for years’.

Lem Sheppard - 1:15 - 2:15 PM

Experience the musical evolution of Lem Sheppard, a seasoned guitarist who honed his craft across funk, rock, and jazz genres while making a profound connection as a member of the Eva Jessye Choir in 1978. On Friday, September 29, 2023, Lem graces the stage at the Midland Railroad Hotel in Wilson, KS, weaving together his diverse influences into a captivating performance. From his Kansas City roots to his spiritual calling, Lem's music transcends boundaries, promising a night of harmonious melodies that resonate with the soul.

John Paul Drum & Bill Dye - 2:30 - 3:30 PM

John Paul Drum has shared the stage with such notable blues harp legends as; Sugar Blue, Junior Wells, Lazy Lester, Kim Wilson, John Mayall, James Harman, Lee Oscar, and Kansas City’s Patriarch of Blues Harmonica; Provine “Little” Hatch and the list goes on…John Paul also works the acoustic scene with guitarist Bill Dye playing delta blues, early 20’s jazz, western swing, roots, rockabilly, honk tonk and novelty numbers. The duo called The Big Three, as it was started with John Paul, Bill and Washboard Chaz Leary, the washboard master. Since Chaz has moved to New Orleans, John Paul & Bill keep the acoustic fire burning in K.C. and play several dates a month with Allen Fishell rounding out the trio.

Saturday 9/28 starts at 4:00pm

Lonesome Stranger - 4:00 - 4:45 PM

Dustin Arbuckle & The Damnations - 5:00 - 6:00 PM

Prepare for a genre-defying musical experience with Dustin Arbuckle and The Damnations at the Midland Railroad Hotel  on Saturday, September 30, 2023. Led by veteran Dustin Arbuckle, known for his prominence in Moreland & Arbuckle, the band defies categorization intentionally. Since 2017, they've been crafting a unique musical blend that kicks up fresh dust. Arbuckle, a musician with eclectic tastes, draws from traditional American sounds like Charley Patton while embracing cross-pollinated influences such as The Band and Stax-style soul. With The Damnations' diverse musical sensibilities - featuring Brandon Hudspeth on guitar, Caleb Drummond or Mark Foley on bass, and Colby Aiken on drums - their performances traverse everything from deep country to jazz, creating an electrifying and unpredictable sonic journey.

Grand Marquis - 6:20 - 7:30 PM

Grand Marquis epitomizes the fusion of tradition anNotably, Grand Marquis has earned prestigious recognition as a finalist in The Blues Foundation International Blues Challenge, excelling in both performance and self-produced recording categories. Their accolades extend to numerous "Best Of" awards in blues and jazz from esteemed Kansas City publications, a testament to their enduring impact on these genres throughout several years. Grand Marquis isn't just a band; they're a transcendent bridge between musical heritage and the optimism for a united, melodious future.d innovation, infusing the essence of American roots from Kansas City blues to Memphis soul with the vibrant spirit of a New Orleans second line revelry. Their music resonates as a testament to the past while embracing the pulse of the 21st century. A symphony of resounding horns harmonizes with a rhythm section that grooves intensely, all set against the backdrop of soulful vocals, creating a captivating soundscape that showcases their masterfully crafted originals.

Mike Morgan & The Crawl - 8:00 - 9:30 PM

an original player with a sound and style all his own. Mike moved to Dallas in 1986 and soon hooked up with experienced vocalist Darrell Nulisch (formerly with Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets) to form The Crawl (named after an old jukebox hit by guitar great, Lonnie Brooks). Darrell had a tremendous knowledge of blues and a deep collection of blues records, and he exposed Morgan to the music of the Chicago blues scene and many of its key players and quickly made a name for themselves as one of the best contemporary blues bands in Texas. After Nulisch left the band in 1989, Morgan set out to find a vocalist who would fit his desire for a broader-based R&B sound. He found the perfect match in Kansas City native and blues veteran Lee McBee. Mike Morgan and The Crawl found a national audience with the release of their debut recording, Raw & Ready, in 1990. Backed up by extensive national and international touring, Mike Morgan and The Crawl continued to amaze their fans throughout the 1990s by releasing five highly regarded albums, Mighty