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Zelle: Tsharpe5@aol.com
PayPal: Tsharpe5@aol.com

Merch/Info: https://www.tomsharpe.com

Tom Sharpe’s music is a percussive symphony – a sonic and visual feast for the senses. A classically trained musician, Tom has dramatically blended his orchestral background with world music instrumentation and cinematic imagery to create an experience that invites the listener into the heart of the musical moment – wildly emotional and technically precise, with a gutsy edge of percussive frenzy and tribal ritual. Weaving together powerful elements of sound and rhythm, Tom is equally proficient on a vast array of percussion and keyboard instruments. Seamlessly blending genres from Middle Eastern, African, orchestral, and rock music, Tom moves between traditional instrumentation and electronics with ease and precision. Tom’s current solo performances are in support of his latest release titled “Lifting the World”

Tom is an internationally recognized, critically acclaimed artist. His compositions have won many awards, including the John Lennon Songwriting Contest and the Broadjam World Music Contest. Tom was featured in the PBS Special “Arts Across Illinois”, and has performed at the “Great Performers of Illinois Festival in Millennium Park, to name a few of his many performance highlights.  Tom was a keynote speaker at the Annual Self Employment in the Arts Conference in 2013 and 2016. Tom was honored in August 2016 as a hometown success story at Night Under the Stars in metropolitan Detroit, where he addressed the crowd and performed. He is alumni of the Interlochen Arts Academy and holds the degrees Bachelor of Music and Master of Music from DePaul University. With a fresh approach to symphonic world music, Tom’s high energy, passion, and emotion, combined with superb musicality, leave audiences amazed and inspired!

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Venmo @Brooke-Hoover-9
paypal.me/brookehoover1

Merch: https://surfzombies.bandcamp.com

I started teaching guitar and performing as a teenager. I went on to get a BA in Art Ed from UNI and went pretty much full tie musician/teacher after that. I have released over ten albums with my bands and have come to rely heavily on live gigs to survive. Became a member of the Iowa Rock N Roll Hall of Fame in 2017. I also made a book about chords which sells a few copies per month. I was performing 2-5 times per week before the pandemic.

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Venmo: @NoahGose
PayPal: PayPal.Me/ChloeGose

Merch/Info: https://www.thewildwoodsband.com

The Wildwoods know exactly what kind of music they want to make. It’s not often we hear a sound this focused…The voices are very different in timbre and delivery, yet mix with each other perfectly…Bring a friend or go alone; either way you’ll find yourself reminiscing on the good times and finding peace with the bad ones.” Landon Kuhlmann, Paste Magazine & Daytrotter

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Venmo: @aveygrouwsband
PayPal: paypal.me/Grouws
Bravo: aveygrouwsband

Merch/Info: https://www.aveygrouwsband.com/

Avey Grouws Band is an original roots/blues/blues rock band out of the Quad Cities. 2 time semi finalists at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, AGB released their debut album The Devil May Care March 20, 2020 amid the covid crisis and surprised everyone by hitting the Billboard Blues Album Chart for 2 weeks, ending in the #10 spot! No label, no agent, just gritty original music and a band that has a whole lot of fun doing it!

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PayPal.Me/craiggerdesmusic
Venmo: www.venmo.com/Craig-Gerdes-1

Merch/Info: https://www.craiggerdesmusic.com/

Steeped in the white lines, black tar and diesel smoke of the American highway, Tough As Nails—the latest LP from Craig Gerdes—is raw and real, a document of a road-tested band fast on the rise. Ever since the central-Illinois songwriter released his lauded 2018 debut LP, Smokin’ Drinkin’ & Gamblin’, he’s been on tour almost constantly, playing upwards of 150 shows per year, including opening slots and festival support.

Merch/Info: http://barrycloydproductions.com/

Barry Cloyd is a Midwestern based, full-time touring singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist who performs more than 125+ shows of all types per year. In addition to a concert schedule, he has been the resident stringed instrumentalist/vocalist on The Spirit of Peoria Paddlewheel Riverboat for 20 years, traveling the inland waterways. Barry also has created and toured dozens of original, commissioned edu-tainment programs which focus on our own history with music. These are typically performed as concerts at Libraries, Colleges & Universities.
He has shared the stage & recorded with many stars of the Blues and Americana worlds including members of Buddy Guy’s Band, The Byrds, Stephen Still’s, EmmyLou Harris’, The Oak Ridge Boys, John Denver’s, Dan Fogelberg’s Bands and extensive writing/performing work with David Raitt, brother of Bonnie Raitt and son of the famed Broadwayt star John Raitt. Barry is also a recording artist with 10 CD’s, the last of which, the all original “Southland”, won an award for best Americana album in 2016 which resulted in his tracks “Spirit Dance” and “Know This River” being placed on radio stations in more than 45 countries worldwide. He recently won the “Artist Vision Award” award from the Akademia international promotional group based in LA.

Donate:
paypal.me/danielwatkinsmusic
Venmo @Daniel-Watkins-7

Merch/Info: https://www.danielwatkinsmusic.com/

Growing up with the Illinois River in his back yard, Daniel Watkins’s roots run deep in the valley. He picked up his first job as a gas attendant at the old lock and dam in Henry. There he would practice guitar while waiting on boaters and playing for tips. Several years later, Watkins wandered the Midwest festival scene as a music enthusiast when he wasn’t working shifts at the local factory. He began studying guitar with Walnut Valley Festival National Guitar & Mandolin champion, Andy Hatfield. Through a new found love of Folk and Bluegrass music, he discovered many artists including John Hartford, Norman Blake, and Steve Goodman who inspired him to begin writing songs of his own.

Daniel released his first full length record in December 2018 and followed it up with his new EP, Clay Birds Vol. I in the spring of 2019. Daniel incorporates musical and topical elements of the current era across the backdrop of traditional folk and bluegrass music. Daniel is most celebrated for his relatable stories, swift flat-picking, and memorable melodies.

In addition to his solo work, Watkins performs as a member of Harvest Sons. He has also shared the stage with acts throughout Illinois and beyond including Willie Watson (formerly of Old Crow Medicine Show), Sierra Ferrell, Henhouse Prowlers, Chicago Farmer, Eric Lambert, Still Shine, and Matthew Michael & Christina Marie.

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venmo@Bryce-Janey
Bravo pay user: brycejaney

Merch/Info: http://www.thejaneys.com/

Bryce Janey began his career at the age of 13 in his hometown of Marion, IA in a family blues-rock trio called The Janeys and played regionally and nationally from Chicago to Los Angeles. They shared the stage with many Chicago artist and national acts, including Buddy Guy, Delbert McClinton, Blues Traveler, Johnny Winter, and Elvin Bishop. Bryce has even performed onstage with Kenny Neal, Buddy Guy, Tab Benoit, and including the  late great “Queen of the Blues” Koko Taylor. While still in The Janeys, Bryce began a solo career and released his first CD, Practice What You Preach in 1995. Since then, he has released many more CDs, most of which have gained national attention including a five star rating from Blues Access magazine, as well as stellar reviews from Blues Revue and Living Blues. Bryce Was Inducted into the Iow Rock-n-Roll Hall Of Fame in 2007. Since 2011, Bryce has released four solo electric CD’s on Grooveyard Records (Rochester,NY) featuring his outstanding blues/rock guitar slinger riffs and original songs. Bryces albums have been described ed as ”Phenomenal, top-shelf, world-class, soul-powered, retro-70s bluesy heavy guitar with ‘six string mojo’ that truly delivers on all levels of greatness,” and that “this is Bryce Janey’s finest hour and he stands tall in the supreme blues/rock guitar world.” Joe Romagnola, President of Grooveyard Records, recommends Janey to fans of Jimi Hendrix, Robin Trower, Billy Gibbons & ZZ Top, Johnny Winter, SRV & Doyle Bramhall II.  Bryce won the Iowa Blues Challenge in 2011, and in 2012 was an IBC Semi-Finalist in Memphis,TN. Bryce has performed at many Major Festivals and clubs over the years including: B.B.Kings in Memphis,TN, Blues Excreta Club Chicago,IL,  Kansas City Jazz & Blues Festival, Beal Street Blues Fest, Buddy Guy’s Legends Blues Fest(Chicago Blues Fest 1990), Ribfest-Fort Wayne, IN and the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival in 2012. Bryce’s latest Electric CD Brand New Day(2018) is available now on Grooveyard Records and his latest acoustic self-release “Organic Man” is out now. Bryce is currently performing and booking tour dates for fall 2020

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PayPal: cactusmoonmusic@gmail.com
VenMo @angelameyer23

Merch/Info: https://www.angelameyer23.com/

Angela Meyer has been performing professionally since she was just 16 years old, bringing out the best of the country & western industries. As a storyteller with a passion for her listeners, she stays true to three chords & the truth. Angela pulls in the crowd with a sweet voice and brutal honesty. She knows what its like to be in the audience, her earliest memories taking her back to being a child dancing in smoky tent while her mama sang on stage with her band at the Iowa State Fair. Even before she could talk, Angela was singing along with the radio and introduced to her musical heroes through her grandparents’ record player in their Iowa farmhouse. Around 10 years old, they gave her a guitar for Christmas, but it was so large she had to lay it across her lap to learn how to play it. She finally revisited the guitar at 15 years old, starting to write her own music and creating the foundation to build her young dream into a lifelong career.

Even during her limited time on Earth, Angela has witnessed many changes to the “country” genres and how they are defined. She sees the backlash as people speaking out about what is getting radio play & what is being overlooked. Listeners do not need to be educated on musical theory or the music business to feel that what’s being put out there is largely over-produced and under-thought. In a world more concerned about image than content, Angela boldly offers authenticity through her artistry. Her writing paints a picture of the human experience with wisdom far beyond her years.

Angela is continuously expanding her career into a lifelong journey of bringing music to those who need it most. Her debut album, Consequence, was released April 21st, 2018 and is available for NOW through iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music, Google Play, and more! She continues to perform live at venues all over the Midwest as well as nationally on the Cowboy Poetry & Western Music circuits.

Donate:
PayPal.Me/JoeStammBand
Venmo.com/JoeStammBand
CashApp: $JoeStammBand

Merch/Info: https://www.joestammband.com/

The Joe Stamm Band (JSB) is a Black Dirt Country Rock group rooted in the American Midwest. Born and raised in the fields and fence rows of central Illinois, Joe and the band play a soul pumping brand of music that is uniquely their own. DirtRoadAnthems.com told their readers, “If you are looking for a great new country/rock/Americana band to listen to, [Joe Stamm Band] is the perfect one.” JSB songs are laced with rural American imagery, hard-driving guitar, and songwriting that invites listeners into a deeply personal, authentic life experience.

Joe’s early life revolved primarily around football, earning a scholarship to play quarterback at Northern Illinois University. Injuries, however, cut a once promising career short and sent him searching – searching for a new identity, new hobbies, new pursuits and points of focus. He poured himself into academics, hunting, his childhood faith, partying & burning candles at both ends. Gradually, music and songwriting dominated Joe’s focus and stories began to emerge – not just his but yours, ours. Over time, a community of musicians & fans took notice. A band formed & audiences started filling venues.

Joe has now opened for acts such as Travis Tritt, Blackberry Smoke, Jamey Johnson, Chris Knight, Reckless Kelly, the Kentucky Headhunters, JJ Grey & MOFRO, Easton Corbin, Jerrod Niemann, Parmalee, among others, even sharing the bill with personal heroes Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson at the Tailgates and Tallboys Music Festival. Joe Stamm Band’s members include Joe at guitar & lead vocals, Bruce Moser playing bass, Dave Glover on lead guitar, and Tim Fiers on drums. Their focus is singular – play great music for as many people as possible. Joe acknowledges, “We started this thing in the grassroots of central Illinois. And we plan to stay firmly rooted. Roots and growth are dependent on one another. We trust our fans will keep us centered on both.”

Prior to Joe’s surprise single release, “Gooodbye, John” – a tribute to John Prine and the world at large during global isolation – he most recently released Stories: Live & Unplugged, a raw, bare bones record of story songs that Buzz Russell of Texas 99/KNES-FM called “great work, a certain level of grittiness, truth and emptiness. Joe pulls it all together.”

Joe also dropped Songs Without A Home in October of 2019, a 3-song EP cut in Nashville with producer Joe Carrell, whom he also worked with on “First Saw You.” “First Saw You,” which was originally released as a single on June 1, 2018, was later included on, Dandelion Woman – a 5 song EP, released on October 26, 2018, that features the entire Joe Stamm Band.

JSB music is available on all digital music platforms (i.e. iTunes, Spotify, etc.), as well as traditional formats such as CD, Vinyl & DVD.

Joe Stamm Band is proudly the official house band of 104.9 the Wolf and sponsored by Last Chance Bar & Grill.

Donate: Venmo @Ahendri1

Merch/Info: https://www.facebook.com/MaintenanceBand

Amber Hendricks has always had a passion for music. Amber grew up participating in choir and show choir at ROWVA high school in a small town in Illinois. Music is what she lives for, quite literally.

In 2009, Amber was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer, and her life, and voice, were on the line. She knew if she could survive, she would sing again. After fighting through surgeries and treatments on and off for a few years, she was back at it, singing and making music, refusing to give up.

In the midst of treatments in the summer of 2011, Amber auditioned for American Idol in St. Louis, and made it through two rounds. Her hard work, talent, and perseverance caught the eye of Grammy nominated producer Chris Sernel (CeeLo Green, Jennifer Lopez, Kelly Clarkson, Weezer) and they teamed up to record and release her first single, Girl Like Me, in 2012. Girl Like Me was well received to radio stations and reviews, and was followed in 2014 with her single “Show You Crazy,” which also gained radio airplay and received outstanding reviews on ITunes. It was also a fan favorite on the Max and the Ducks morning show on Radio Finlandia.

Amber then recruited friends for a backing band, The Maintenance, featuring talented musicians who are well known in their local scenes. Together, they compliment each other by collaborating each of their unique styles and putting on crowd pleasing, high energy shows full of crowd participation. Amber constantly writes new songs, and more new music is on the way, with her first two singles to be released along with brand new music on the soon to be titled and released album.

Be sure to stay up to date with the band by following them on Facebook and Instagram as shows are being booked now. This is an act you do not want to miss!

Donate:
Venmo @LewisKnudsen
PayPal lewisknudsen@gmail.com

Merch/Info: https://lewisknudsen.com/

Lewis Knudsen is a mixed-genre, multi-instrumentalist songwriter based in Rock Island, IL (Quad Cities). In the past few years Lewis has toured coast to coast in the US, as well as South Korea, Germany, Netherlands, Denmark, and the U.K.  Lewis has opened for bands such as Amy Helm, Jesicca Hernandez, Nicholas David, and Davina and the Vagabonds.

Influences include James Taylor, Randy Newman, Ben Folds, Hozier, Rufus Wainwright, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits, and Jack White.

Lewis’ most recent album “Philip” is enjoying airplay on Iowa Public Radio.  In January of 2018,  “All My Sins” was featured on FOX’s “UFC Road to the Octagon” and more TV/film placements are in the works.

In 2018 Lewis has written and released a new song each week, while touring regionally in the midwest, and is currently working on plans for a new album in 2019.

Lewis’ live repertoire includes over 500 songs, including covers from the ’50s – ’90s, as well as many original songs.

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Paypal: Fusedwellpresents@hotmail.com
Cash App$ DeeMIll2

Merch/Info: https://www.facebook.com/Artofillfusion

AIF from Peoria, IL has been touring for the last 17 years. Playing over 1500 shows nationally. Dee is the founder, guitarist and front man as well as the primary songwriter for the band.

Donate:
Venmo @TheEmptyPockets
PayPal.me/theemptypockets or theemptypockets@gmail.com

Merch/Info: https://theemptypockets.com/

Sincerity, pathos and powerhouse vocals. “Polished yet rootsy Chicago outfit Empty Pockets” (Rolling Stone) celebrates old-school classic rock, folk, and the blues, skillfully blending singer/songwriter catharsis with rich harmonies and real players. Bold Americana flavors straight from the soul. 

When not busy recording in their personal studio, The Empty Pockets are out on the road headlining or opening for acts like Bob Schneider, Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band, Dickey Betts (Allman Brothers) and Dave Mason (Traffic), among many others. They also have passionately served as backing band for a number of artists of note, including Kenny Loggins, Al Stewart, Gary Wright, Richie Furay (of Buffalo Springfield), and Simon Kirke (of Bad Company). 

In 2015, The Empty Pockets released their debut full-length album, The Ten Cent Tour, entering both the Billboard Indie and Heatseekers charts for the first time. With the 2017 release of Voices, The Empty Pockets entered a particularly prolific period with four Billboard-charting independent albums, releasing a holiday EP, Snow Day, in 2018, followed a year later by a new studio album, Tanglewoods, and then the live concert album, Live in Seattle. 

“When The Empty Pockets play, they don’t just go through the motions of belting out tunes and revving their guitars to impress you – their performances are offset with a vibrancy and a sort of energetic showmanship so that space and distance don’t matter in the end – rather it’s more of which of their carefully crafted songs will strike a chord within you first.” -AMDEntertainment

Donate:
Venmo: @kris-lager
paypal.me/krislagerband

Merch/Info: https://www.krislagerband.com/

For most of Kris Lager’s life he has been a traveling musician, a troubadour, who has spent two decades on the road honing his craft and message.

Not only is he one of the funkiest and fiercest blues guitar players you’ll ever witness with a uniquely expressive and heartfelt voice. He also crafts uplifting, interactive, and spiritual tunes with a ‘Celebrate Life Mantra’ that is woven throughout his entire performance.

Kris is a Lincoln, Nebraska native and a family man who has built a reputation for refusing to play by industry rules or pander for awards and accolades. He is truly a one of a kind performer who hits the stage with an intense purpose of uplifting and engaging audiences while delivering his flavorful gumbo of rhythms and melodies.

Kris will also play a little keyboards, shimmy around the stage, attempt to connect with everyone he makes eye contact with, and offer up a healthy dose of his signature ‘soul clappin’. This just scratches the surface of a genuine artist who has a powerful vision of what music can do to raise the human spirit and condition. You must see it, hear it, and dig into the vast KLB catalogue for yourself to fully understand and appreciate this musician on a mission.

Kris’ longtime musical partner and rhythmic backbone of the group for over 15 years is Mr. John Fairchild AKA Scooby Sha Bo Bo. He brings a hiphop flare to the rootsy compositions and also some funky Beat box, flows, and freestyles. His charm, charisma, and silky smooth beats will make a distinct impression upon your backbone and have you wanting more and more of his signature ‘feel good grooves’.

Donate:
https://www.patreon.com/tysjo
Venmo: @Tyler-Sjostrom-1
PayPal: paypal.me/tylersjostrom

Merch/Info: http://www.tylersjostrom.com/

“Tyler Sjöström’s gritty vocals and vintage arrangements have reverberated from the Chicago music scene since the release of his freshman EP, What We Say We Are, at the end of 2014. Following his debut, rooted in Americana and Folk, Tyler’s track “Red River” was given EDM treatment with collaborator, Chris Meid, and signed as a single with Warner Music. Following was a slew of collaborations from across the globe resulting in tens of millions of streams on Spotify alone. Since, Sjöström has taken his new role as Singer-Songwriter to heart, working with DJs and producers around the world developing a taste and adeptness for topline writing, studio work, and live performance.

As a multi-instrumentalist and avid songwriter, Tyler finds his niche in spanning the genres, and in terms of music he is keen on distinguishing himself as a “jack of all trades”. Equipped with an honest and thunderous voice his live performance has been described as “bone rattling”. He’s shared the stage with Judah and The Lion, Joseph, The Mighty Oaks, The Secret Sisters, Corey Kilgannon–to name a few.

With studio work nearly done for a new album and several collaborative tracks in the works, 2020 is looking very good for Tyler Sjöström.”

Donate:
paypal.me/jennylynnstacy
Venmo: @JennyLynnStacy

Merch/Info: https://www.facebook.com/jlsandthedirtyroosters

Welp. I’ve been playing, singing, and writing for nearly 21 years nestled in the Quad Cities. That’s really all I’ve done my entire life, music. I am the parent of 3 teenagers, God help me, but they’ve taught me a lot, and have been a great muse for songs. I enjoy a wide array of hobbies, from crochet to woodwork, but music is the constant in my life. I don’t think I’ll ever stop.M

Donate:
PayPal.me/stoneandsnow

Merch/Info: http://stoneandsnow.com

Their rich vocal harmonies and warm vibe will leave you wanting to see more from this Illinois-based duo.“ -American Songwriter Magazine

Stone & Snow is an award-winning alt-folk pairing of songwriters and multi-instrumentalists, Karen Bridges and Clint Thomson. In 2012, they began a collaboration filled with close harmonies and thoughtful lyrics. They gave it a name that gives nod to the mountain landscapes of the West– Stone & Snow. Their songs have taken them on the road to places like Summer Camp Music Festival, Mile of Music, the NAMM Show, and the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville.

Donate:
Venmo: EdwardDavidAnderson
PayPal: edanderson72@gmail.com (tip using Send $ to Friend)

Merch/Info: https://www.edwarddavidanderson.com/

Edward David Anderson is an American songwriter and veteran of the road who Edward David Anderson is an American songwriter and veteran of the road who spent his formative years fronting the revered Bloomington, IL band, Backyard Tire Fire. Known for infectious melodies and memorable messages he penned 8 releases for the band and played countless shows across the US and Canada.

When the band went on hiatus in 2011 EDA continued to write and play solo and with his band Black Dirt Revival. Backyard Tire Fire returned to the stage to headline the inaugural Black Dirt Music Festival in 2019 with plans to play select dates in 2020 and beyond.

In the live setting his delivery is dynamic and impactful showcasing a natural ability on banjo, acoustic/electric guitars and foot percussion. He defines his sound as Black Dirt Music. “”Songs about people and places, about life and love and loss. It’s roots music, cultivated in the fertile soil of the Midwest.

EDA released Live and Solo on his own Black Dirt Records on 3/13/20. His vocal prowess, lyrical wit and polished guitar picking shine through on his debut live album recorded in front of intimate and engaged sold out crowds over the course of two nights. Half the material is previously unreleased, with the other half spanning a prolific career of three decades.

While Live and Solo is a glorious representation of EDA in the live setting, his first three solo offerings Lies & Wishes (2014), The Loxley Sessions (2015) and Chasing Butterflies (2018) firmly established him as a force to be reckoned with in the studio.

You can find EDA on the road solo, with his bands Black Dirt Revival and Backyard Tire Fire or with his side project Alabama Getaway.

Donate:
PayPal, Venmo, Zelle Pay: codydiekhoff@yahoo.com

Merch/Info: http://www.chicagofarmer.com

You can smell the dirt in the fields, hear the wind as it blows across the plains, and see the people that Chicago Farmer sings about. Each track captures a moment in time, whether for a person or a particular place. Imagine if a John Steinbeck short story had been written as a song, and this will give you a fairly good idea as to what Chicago Farmer accomplishes on his albums.