This rock blues band stands on the shoulders of musical greats like Albert King, Eric Clapton, J. Geils, Tommy Castro, Walter Trout, Rare Earth, Joe Bonamassa, Steppenwolf, and Muddy Waters. The heart and soul of the blues lends itself to an exciting freedom that makes every Cryin’ Out Loud performance an original experience. Lead guitarist and vocalist Eric Barkdull, drummer Mike Jessup, bassist Bob Stulka, saxophonist Eric Snyder, organist Robert Shipley, and rhythm guitarist and vocalist Dave Wilkes bring classic rock and blues to life on the live stage.

Fat Tuesday Band will be bringing their funky jazz sounds to the SUMMER SONGS event on March 15th. You won't want to miss this group!

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.

The acoustic duo of Side Effects consists of Rick Keaton, guitar, harmonica, and vocals and Kevin Mishey, guitar and vocals. Rick and Kevin are veteran performers, both active in various bands from their high school days in the 1960's. Keaton performed with The Trail Blazers, Music Makers, Country Pioneers, Southern Sound, Southbound and most recently Summer Breeze. While Mishey's musical history includes playing in Apricot Brandy, The Nomads, Darke Horse, TJ Lewis Blues Revue and a 12 year run with the Kokosing River Surf Club. Side Effects plays a mixture of classic rock and country favorites ranging from the Beatles, The Everly Brothers and the Beach Boys to country classics from Alan Jackson to George Strait. Side Effects perform their sing along favorites at a wide range of venues throughout Central Ohio.

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.

Joe and Marty Bell came to Mount Vernon 34 years ago as they began their community involvement with the arts in the Mount Vernon Players stage show, Lil Abner. Since then, they both have been associated with the local arts through the Highland Local School District and the Mount Vernon City Schools performing and visual arts programs, in addition to local community arts associations. Being strong advocates for the arts, both Joe and Marty continually strive to generate new and different forms of artistic expressions for community members to display and audiences to appreciate. They also enjoy developing opportunities for individuals and groups to present personal abilities and skills while engaging large and small performance venues. It is their passion to foster the energy and excitement created by the local performing community and offer multiple opportunities for performers to explore artistic capabilities, develop new skills and demonstrate their passion. All this in the comfort of local friends, while offering unique and authentic shows, concerts, and presentations to community guests and visitors to our city. Stay tuned for their Love What Matters and Fall into Fun shows. These are two fun and entertaining variety shows, presented annually at the Woodward Opera House.

“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 the Colorado 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 between Boulder and Golden, CO.

Joe currently lives in Gambier with his wife, Lindsey, and son, Milo, and is training as a commercial electrician with Buckingham Electric in Mt. Vernon.

Ohioan Brad Oviatt, has performed in 48 states, all the Canadian provinces and internationally with Flatland Grass, Patent Pending, Beaver Creek, Maple Creek, and WheelHoss. His talent and love of music has put him on stage and in the studio with many first and second- generation Bluegrass greats, though his true passion is teaching fiddle, violin and vocal harmony. His stage energy is infectious as he shares his music.

Savanna is a singer/songwriter who moved to Gambier just over a year ago from Seattle, WA with her husband - Kacey, dog - Joni, and cat, Emmylou.

Katy Murray grew up in Mount Vernon with lots of fond memories of performing. Katy moved back to MV in recent years and enjoys the feeling of home it provides. Katy loves bringing a soulful acoustic twist to songs spanning generes from soul, country, gospel and pop.

Leif Wiggand’s music journey began over 30 years ago. His rock roots started in Morrow County. He now resides in Mount Vernon. While having written original music for 3 decades, he also enjoys covering songs from a variety of rock-n-roll, southern rock, and country artists. Leif is not only a solo performer but also fronts the band Rarebird through vocals, guitar, and keys.

Songwriter and guitarist Vernon Schubel (who also performs as “These Things To”). Vernon has been playing music since his suburban childhood, many decades ago. Moving to Knox County to teach at Kenyon College in the 1990s, he has performed both as a soloist and, for many years, in the electric blues band T.J. Lewis and the Bluestones.

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