Feature Porch Performers

RAREBIRD: Rarebird has been together in one form or another since 1996, playing small clubs and bars in central and southern Ohio. There's a little bit of everything in their setlist, so there's sure to be something for everyone. From their own original material to classic, southern-fried rock this power trio brings a true spirit of rock n ' roll to their performances.

SERRA AUSTIN BAND: A powerhouse of vocal talent accompanied by a fantastic group of instrumentalists, The Serra Austin Band has an eclectic range from current hits to nostalgic favorites. Their founding members, who started making music together 20 years ago, have recently reunited and added some fresh new talent to the mix. They are thrilled to be playing events and venues all over the Central Ohio area and beyond.

WONPEACE: WonPeace formed in 2011 in south central Ohio and focused primarily on Bluegrass Gospel. Founding members Gary Duncan(guitar), Richard Comer(dobro) and Joe Colman(bass) developed a three part harmony that was well received with most bluegrass venues and festivals without sacrificing their focus on the Gospel. With the unfortunate loss of their banjo player, WonPeace picked up Chris Adkins in 2022 and in doing so added a forth vocalist allowing them to work up four part harmonies that seem to please audiences everywhere. In late 2023, they added Clinton Rich on fiddle rounding a full bluegrass sound. Today you will find WonPeace playing regional festivals, venues and church events. With years of band and performing experience from each member, you will enjoy a family friendly show that is entertaining with a combination of yesterday and todays traditional bluegrass, gospel bluegrass and some vintage country hits to please multiple audiences.

SLIGHT HALO: Slight Halo started as Matt Baugher and Andrew Clarkson, Jr.'s - both natives of Mount Vernon's East High Street neighborhood - basement ambient music project deep in the Covid era. Since then Matt and Andrew have branched out into an oceanic and acoustic show.

EYER & HALL: Hall & Eyer are a musical Duo from the Mount Vernon, OH area.  They have come together to form a multi-talented duo playing classic rock favorites, with country, pop, and R&B too.  Electric & acoustic guitar, keys, blues harp, harmonic vocals, and a back-beat that will make you want to move your feet are the signature of this fun & entertaining duo.

SIX MILES TO NELLIE: Bringing the sound of generations of storytelling through music, Six Miles to Nellie features lead vocalist Courtney DeCosky; songwriter/guitarist Jeffrey Williams; bassist Michael Wolfe; drummer and vocalist Les Harmeyer; singer/songwriter John Schnabel; Robert Shipley on keyboards; and Terry Martin on steel guitar. Each band member brings with them not only a passion for music but an aim to breathe new life into traditional Americana; while keeping its authenticity alive.

Songwriter Porch Performers

VERNON SCHUBEL: Singer-songwriter Vernon Schubel has been playing live music ever since forming his first band a few weeks after seeing the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show. In the 70s and 80s he played both as a solo artıst and in numerous bands in Oklahoma, Virginia and Michigan where he opened for musicians as diverse as Bob Seger, Ravi Shankar and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.  In 1989,  he moved to Knox County in Ohio, where he has performed both as a soloist and in bands, including TJ Lewis and the Bluestones. Schubel, who also performs as These Things Too, a rotating musical collective which includes his son Mehmet Ali, who plays drums and guitar, and other local artists, plays a diverse variety of music designed to appeal to multiple generations.  Accompanying himself on claw hammer and finger-style guitar, his live sets include “Boomer” classics by artists like Neil Young, John Lennon, Leonard Cohen, Pink Floyd and, especially, Bob Dylan; modern and contemporary “Indie” music including songs by Big Thief, Lucy Dacus, AJJ, the Mountain Goats and Neutral Milk Hotel; and his own original material rooted in classic 60s folk and rock.  For the last few years Vernon Schubel/These Things Too has played regularly at the Happy Street Brü Werks in Mount Vernon, Ohio, as well as other venues in the region where he has developed a  solid local following.

SAWMILL JOE: “Sawmill” Joe Cheves is a singer songwriter formerly based out of Denver. His unique style was developed in the rowdy beer joints and biker bars of Colorados Front Range and central mountains. The sawmill moniker he uses comes from his thirteen years working at and eventually managing a rough cut pine and fir lumber mill in between Boulder and Golden, CO. Joe currently lives in Gambier with his wife, Lindsey, son, Milo, and daughter, Sunday, and is training as a commercial electrician with Buckingham Electric in Mt. Vernon.

JOHN BRENNEMAN: John Brenneman is a 22 year old Mount Vernon native, just recently graduating from the University of Dayton. John now lives in Columbus, Ohio and works in marketing. While at the University of Dayton, John played in a band called Porch, playing in bars, house parties, and other events. John has been writing his own music for a little over a year, with major influences including John Prine, Tyler Childers, Sierra Ferrell, ohn Mayor, The Avett Brothers, Briston Maroney, Jason Isbell, Alan Jackson, Waylon Jennings, Bob Seger, and many more.

Community Porch Performers

CGEmD: CGEmD is an American Country Music Band from Gambier, Ohio consisting of Chris Gantt and Emily (Durbin) Remillard. While normally configured as a guitar playing/singing duet, it's an absolute party when CGEmD teams up with talented local musicians from surrounding Knox County to form a three, four, or five piece band. Fiddles, drums, lead guitar, and mandolins find their way on stages with CGEmD to perform a variety of songs from classic rock, to country, to their very own originals. No matter what configuration you find them in on stage, CGEmD is sure to delight your ears with a heartfelt and warm sound as they enjoy performing for you.

HALEY & JESS: Central Ohio folk duo, Haley and Jess, with their powerful harmonic vocals and electric guitar playing, bring a smile to your face and a clap to your hands. The duo embrace psychedelic jam band with heavy influences from The Doobie Brothers and The Grateful Dead, while also having writing and performative influence from Townes Van Zandt and Jack White.

MEHMET ALI SCHUBEL: Mehmet Ali Schubel is a songwriter, guitarist, and drummer. Find him performing solo or with Vernon Schubel as These Things Too. Public testimonials include: "Good, actually!" and "I went home and told my dad about that song!"

GREG MAXWELL: Greg Maxwell began playing guitar in 1974 to learn John Denver songs and to meet girls. He experienced greater success with the former. After playing in a duo around Central Ohio for a number of years, he got married and gave up on his career as a rockstar. These days Greg runs a busy guitar repair and setup shop just outside of Mount Vernon. 

THE MANIFOLDS: The rotating group of musicians that make up indie rock collective, The Manifolds, have had many variations over the last 20+ years, but currently consists of husband and wife, Kevin and Kelly (Yerxa) Lauth. While living and playing in Pittsburgh, the band developed the pattern of regularly switching roles and instruments on stage and on their albums, each taking turn as songwriter and musician, and collaborating on over 20 original recording projects that each form part of the kaleidoscopic whole. Kevin has been drummer, guitarist, even part time vocalist and keyboardist, and Kelly leads on vocals but also regularly played keyboard, drums, and bass guitar. Over 20 years and three beautiful daughters, things have slowed down for the Lauth portion of The Manifolds. They are content to keep it simple, for now, while they enjoy raising 3 new band members and look forward their future musical endeavors.

YOHNDER & SUTCH: Sutch Harrison was a nomad, roaming the landscape in search of accomplishment and mellifluence when, by chance, John-Paul Yohnder answered the call to righteous james and melodies, and thusly, a duo was formed - solidified by b-side covers, warm vocal harmonies, and the love of music. That is all to say, they're both from Knox County and have been friends since high school.