2010 Performers

Eliza Gilkyson has always been a socially and spiritually conscious, if not overtly political, songwriter. Gilkyson pursues a path that is alternately confessional, grieving, hopeful rather than optimistic), confused, broken, and compassionate. She invokes a diverse array of sounds, styles, and textures that move out from the predictable tropes of contemporary folk-jazz, roots rock, and even slinky keyboard affected ballads.

John Gorka is still honored to be a part of the folk tradition — energetic acoustic music that is not a trend, not a fad, but an expression of everyday life. Rolling Stone called him “the preeminent male singer/songwriter of the new folk movement.” His material is championed by many — to date more than a score of artists have recorded and/or performed John Gorka songs, including Mary Chapin Carpenter, Mary Black and Maura O’Connell. He also has shared tours with many notable friends — Nanci Griffith and Mary Chapin Carpenter among them. All this has brought his music to an ever-widening audience.

Cheryl Wheeler is a gifted songwriter with a beautiful voice. She is a natural story teller with a fantastic sense of humor. But until you see her in person, you never really believe what you've been told about her. Almost half of the songs she does during her shows haven't been recorded! Cheryl's concerts are more like what you would find at a comedy club than expect to find at a folk music concert. She will tell a story that has you rolling in the aisles, and then sing a song that leaves you wiping tears from your eyes. She will talk about some serious current event, and then sing a song that will have you howling with laughter. Her entire concert is a emotional roller coaster.

Greg Greenway A rare combination of instrumental expertise, a soulful and moving singer, powerful poet, and sparkling entertainer, Greenway is one of those difficult-to-categorize performers who have found a home in the modern acoustic genre. Put simply, he is one of the finest entertainers you'll ever see. Musically, he draws inspiration from all over the map--gospel, rock, blues, Jazz, and world music. But his center is in the singer/songwriter tradition that traces it roots all the way back to the social awareness of Woody Guthrie. His central appeal is that it all comes through the singular lens of Greenway's humanity and his easy affinity for the audience.

People like the Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank. Reviewer John Ziegler said of the local band's album “Sing!”: “Ranges from rough-hewn, dust-in-the-voice folk songs to dreamy ballads; from pedal-steel country to bare-bones rock without the roll. All the while the arc of these songs retains a certain cohesion and outlook. This music is back-porch with a freight train whistle in the distance, unpretentious and inviting at the same time.”

Mustard's Retreat - As David Tamulevich and Michael Hough celebrate their 35th Anniversary as Mustard's Retreat, the same question burns among aspiring young performers and road-weary old folkies - why you guys? In searching for the answer, one word comes up, the simple word "audience." Everything Mustard's Retreat does is aimed at pleasing, moving and engaging their audience. Whether singing their own gentle love songs and vivid ballads, telling tall tales or offering treasures from America's vast traditional song bag, a Mustard's Retreat show always feels like it's designed for the people who have come to see them that day.

Claudia Schmidt - Almost four decades as a touring professional have found Michigan native Claudia Schmidt traversing North America as well as Europe in venues ranging from intimate clubs to 4,000 seat theatres, and festival stages in front of 25,000 rapt listeners. She has recorded fourteen albums of mostly original songs, exploring folk, blues, and jazz idioms featuring her acclaimed 12-string guitar and mountain dulcimer playing.

Que Flavor is Wisconsin's Premier Afro-Cuban Jazz and World Music Band. Running the gamut from Afro-Cuban, Salsa, Cha-cha-cha, Latin Jazz, and Merengues to- Cumbias, Reggaeton , R&Bs' Reggae and beyond. QUE-FLAVOR! is " The ultimate dancing Band."

Hot Sauce - Hans Mayer's band for grownups, with Wayne Beezley on mandolin, Hans Mayer on guitar and vocals, Dan Sebranek on guitar, and Larry Dalton on bass. The band plays a smooth mix of original acoustic folk/swing/pop tunes with some classic covers.

Ellis is a rising star in the independent music scene. With her joyful, unpretentious acoustic folk rock style, this Minneapolis-based singer-songwriter has been steadily building a national following and has independently sold more than thirty thousand copies of her previous five CDs. Touring more than 150 dates each year, Ellis has accrued a wealth of accomplishments including multiple “Best Musician” titles in Minneapolis and national songwriting honors, but even more outstanding is her sincere graciousness and ability to remain down to earth while her career is riding high.

Muddy Flats and the Hep Cats - Swingin' , groovin', danceable sounds. Upbeat olde time blues and swing from the 20’s, 30’s, and 40’s as well as rock and bluegrass. Performers are Dick Mial on mandolin, vocals and guitar, John Fuchs on guitar and vocals and Trace Lawson on bass.