The Housatonic Stage will feature Emerging Artists and Masters from Connecticut and beyond.
2026 Housatonic Stage Performers
(Bios at bottom)
Thursday 8/6
4:30-5:15 Still Pickin’
5:30-6:15 Hound & Handler
6:30-7:15 J.M Clifford Duo
7:30-9:00 Open Mic w/ John Kaluzynski & Leftovers
Friday 8/7
11:00-11:45 J.M. Clifford Duo
12:00-12:45 The Splinters
1:00-1:45 WireJays
2:00-2:45 Simon Brogie & the XLTs
3:00-3:45 Hound & Handler
4:00-4:45 Red Tailed Rounders
4:45-5:30 Break
5:30-7:00 The Decker Bandits (Dance)
7:15-8:00 The Splinters
8:15-9:00 Simon Brogie & the XLTs
Saturday 8/8
11:00-11:45 Dew on the Vine
12:00-12:45 Beyond Dixon
1:00-1:45 Bunker Boys
2:00-2:45 The Folk Villians
3:00-3:45 Dew on The Vine
4:00-4:45 Still Pickin’
4:45-5:30 Break
5:30-6:45 Moon Shells (Dance)
7:00-8:00 Songs From The Road Band
8:15-9:00 Bunker Boys
*All performers and schedules subject to change
Beyond Dixon – A bluegrass/newgrass band founded in the winter of 2025–2026 by bassist Gary Upton. The band blends traditional Appalachian string-band roots with modern arrangements and a rhythm-forward pulse. Upton is joined by Cab Burkhart (guitar/vocals), whose high-lonesome delivery and rich vocal tone bring emotional lift and classic bluegrass authenticity to the group’s sound, alongside Caleb Swan and Maxwell Petersen. Beyond Dixon’s sets feature a strong blend of original songs and traditional bluegrass.
The Bunker Boys – A six-man band from Coldenham, NY. Renowned for creating “hillbilly havoc” across the Hudson Valley of New York State and beyond, the group is comprised of an arsenal of banjo, fiddle, guitar, double-bass, and harmonica. These boys are set to lift spirits high—and keep them there! Known for their high-energy performances and soul-stirring harmonies, this lineup will have you foot-stomping and hollerin’ along. From bluegrass to country, folk to Americana, the band blends traditional favorites with their own original tunes in a way that’s truly unforgettable.
Dew on the Vine – Woven from the rugged cloth of Americana, Dew on the Vine will enchant you with their heartfelt harmonies, emotive instrumentation, and timeless lyrics. Nick Paar (Appalachian Still and Moon Hollow) and Emily Bassarear (The Sugarbirds and Rich With Friends) co-write original music, drawing inspiration from Gillian Welch, the Grateful Dead, and Tony Rice, while recent addition Chris Boucher (Poor Monroe) rounds out the sound on five-string banjo. From the first note played, this dynamic folkgrass trio will draw you in with their warmth and leave you haunted with the humming of their tunes, and coming back for more.
The Decker Bandits – Delivering a unique blend of storytelling and songwriting, weaving bluegrass, rock, jam, and jazz into a sound that’s adventurous and unforgettable. Sharp arrangements, catchy melodies, and standout musicianship provide a strong foundation, while bold, spontaneous improvisation transforms each performance into a high-energy experience.
The Folk Villains – A 7-year sibling quintet of Bluegrass & Old-Time musicians. Ringgold Cockey, Isabel Cockey, & Guinevere Cockey grew up in a log cabin near the marshes and beaches of Tyaskin, MD. Now, with the addition of Jack Rehbeck and Danny Marcus, those Eastern Shore roots and chops refined in the Appalachians are combined with solid Ohio tradition and fresh Washington innovation. Together, The Folk Villains honor each of their families’ folk histories, enriching them by incorporating an ever-expanding variety of musical genres, and infusing them with their own villainous style. The product is an addictive, high-octane grass style specific to The Folk Villains and the mashup of their East Coast, Midwest, & West Coast sounds.
Hound and the Handler – A high-energy Americana string band from Boston who released their debut LP Lies & Advice in 2023 and followed it with the I Feel It All EP in April 2025. They deliver lively original songs centered around the struggles of establishing oneself in a time & place where the vast majority of money is funneled straight to the fortunate few, leaving the rest of us to fight for scraps. Established in 2021 as an Americana band including drums and occasional electric guitars, the band has since honed their bluegrass roots, featuring a lineup of Sean Davis playing mandolin, guitar and singing lonesome harmonies, Ross Kiah on guitar and lead vocals, and Joe Everett joining the band on upright bass and vocals. The band has been nominated for Americana Artist of the Year by the Boston Music Awards!
J.M. Clifford – His music draws on Bluegrass, Folk, and Americana. Clifford recently won the grand prize at the Pensacola Beach Songwriter Festival and the Solarfest Festival. He placed 3rd in the 2025 Telluride Troubador Songwriting Contest, was an Official Showcase Artist at the 2023 IBMA Conference, reached the final round of the 2023 Rocky Mountain Songwriting Festival, and performed at the 2022 and 2023 IBMA Songwriter Showcase. JM was also a finalist in the 2024 American Songwriter Contest.
The Leftovers – As a bluegrass band, their captivating, high-energy performances transport audiences back in time. They blend melodic harmonies, musicianship, and creativity. Feel free to invite one or all of the band members to join you on the open mic stage.
The Moon Shells – Draw from the music of Appalachia, Louisiana, West Africa, and elsewhere to explore what it can do and try to make something new. They have deep roots in traditional fiddle music, but as an electrified dance band with drums, they swing from Cajun and honky-tonk to originals that keep people on their feet and moving.
The Red Tailed Rounders – A swinging country string band based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The group performs bluegrass and country standards, as well as unique and heartfelt original music. With a classic string band lineup of guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, and upright bass, The Red Tailed Rounders bring new songs into an age-old tradition of American folk music.
Simon Brogie & The XLTs – A Traditional Bluegrass band featuring several award-winning musicians with diverse backgrounds. The band is fronted by CT’s own Simon Brogie, who has been playing rhythm guitar with a thumb pick since age 10. He assembled this group with the goal of bringing old friends together and making good music in the process.
Splinters – A Bluegrass band from Massachusetts featuring Tom Pritchard (fiddle), J Johnson (mandolin), Chris Reckling (guitar, banjo), Garrett Wallace (bass fiddle), and Max Petersen (banjo). A Splinters set veers from straight-ahead bluegrass to traditional fiddle tunes and back, with the occasional detour into a modern song.
Still Pickin’ – A Connecticut-based bluegrass trio comprised of CT country music veteran Dennis Sheridan on acoustic guitar, mandolin, fiddle, and vocals; Patricia McDonald on bass and vocals; and Lou Alexander on banjo, guitar, and vocals. The repertoire includes bluegrass favorites, some good ol’ country songs, and notably, a number of original tunes. Their original composition Hope Valley took first place in the Annual Podunk Bluegrass Festival songwriting contest. Still Pickin’ has released three CDs (Hope Valley, On With The Show, and Southbound) featuring both traditional selections and original music.
The Wire Jays – A five-piece contemporary Newgrass band that prioritizes creative songwriting, musicianship, and fun in their live shows. They are currently based in South Florida and began playing together at the Frost School of Music. The Wire Jays bring a fresh and interpretive style that showcases their talent.
