Soul Rebels honed their skills where most New Orleans brass bands do—in the street. But by the time they were a functioning unit, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band had already broken out as an international touring act. That band's success showed Soul Rebels a New Orleans brass band could not only have a contemporary sound, but it could also have a place on stage. Although the Dirty Dozen had updated the brass band tradition with elements of R&B and funk, Soul Rebels took it a step further, incorporating hip-hop, especially through half-sung, half-rapped lyrics. "Most of our originals have vocals," says LeBlanc. "You wouldn't have done that in a traditional brass band." Soon, Soul Rebels' contagious originals and updated takes on standards won them a loyal local audience. They began rocking some of New Orleans' most beloved live music venues. A chance gig opening for the Neville Brothers got them a real start—and an official name. It was youngest brother Cyril Neville who first called them "Soul Rebels," a band that strived to incite positive change in its treasured musical heritage. Since those days, the band has settled on a seven-piece lineup, building a career around an eclectic live show that harnesses the power of horns and drums in the party-like atmosphere of a dance club.

Uproot Hootenanny is Brian Bolen, Brian Trew, Rolando Willimann, David Welch and Billy Gilmore, together they provide the most entertaining and unique brand of Folk, Rock, Pop, Celtic, Bluegrass, and Country music that is made! Their musical style is a sound you could work up a sweat just listening to but just can’t help dancing to! Their passion for playing and performing live is endless, and their goal is to always spread positive vibes wherever their music may take them.

Mark Stuart, singer-songwriter, and founder of the critically acclaimed band Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash was given permission to use the band's name by Johnny Cash himself- then personally invited to record songs for his first cd at Cash's home in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Stuart is a passionate advocate of keeping the sounds and traditions of American Roots Music alive, while doing his best to stretch its boundaries. Stuart is a strong believer in taking the music to the people. His constant touring and hard work have built him a loyal grass roots following both in the States and abroad. Stuart and BSOJC have shared the stage with such notables as Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, Willie Nelson, John Hiatt, Lucinda Williams, George Jones, and Steve Earle. They have built an international reputation as skilled recording artists and tireless live performers. BSOJC’s music has recently found more exposure on the HBO hit television series True Blood and Joan of Arcadia, their four albums have all spent time at the top of the worldwide Americana Charts. Mark Stuart and BSOJC been a creative force on the Alt-Country/Americana Music scene for the last 15 years. Their latest creative project The "Bluegrass Bastards" is scheduled for release in 2012.

Based in Cincinnati, Kelly Richey is one of the hardest working independent musicians out there, to date logging an extraordinary 800,000 miles touring, and at one point in her 25 year professional career, gigging a grueling 275 days out of the year. With a staggering 3,500 gigs to her credit, she has more than earned the title of Master guitarist. She has been described as “Stevie Ray Vaughan trapped in a woman’s body with Janis Joplin screaming to get out”. Richey is a serious, no-holds-barred axe grinder. Setting up her band as a power trio -- (drums, bass, and guitar), showcases her solid, searing leads and masterful guitar chops. Playing live is where Richey shines, literally bringing down the house at every show she plays. Cognizant of the emotionality of the music in her live shows, Richey steamrolls; she hits the audience hard and fast, grabs on and doesn't let go. Hard rocking, blues-based and guitar driven, she blasts her audiences with jaw-dropping, lightening fast riffs and a muscularity of playing that even many of the best male guitarists don't possess. Her soulful voice -- a big, powerful alto, provides the arc that completes the circle for a total sonic experience that is not to be forgotten. One thing is certain: with a musical sensibility that comes from the combined experiences of making eleven albums and touring relentlessly for over three decades, Kelly Richey has proven herself a phenomenal guitarist, singer and songwriter who has carved out a unique niche for herself, a powerful presence that is not to be missed!

Leading lights of the new Lake Worth crop of rootsy acts, Black Fingeris a rock band, and that's it. And that's a good thing. Instead of relying on subgenre flair, the quartet plays straight-ahead, slightly shuffling, twangy tunes meant straight for the heart of the Great American Songbook. The songwriting style of Lake Worth native John Ralston was strongly influenced by his early exposure to The Beatles, Beach Boys, The Band, Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan. His lyrics owe much to storytelling forefathers like Tom Waits and hobo troubadour Townes Van Zandt. Ralston is a favorite of the Lake Worth indie jam scene and performs occasionally with Invisible Music. Invisible Music is an eight-piece Americana orchestra from heaven. At any given time onstage there were up to three guitars, a lap steel, a glockenspiel, a bass, a violin, drums, keys, and lovely voices all gliding and swirling together like a flock of angels. For the dissolved band Legends Of Rodeo, 10 years changes each member too much to allow them to reunite as a forceful unit that does credit to memory. People lose track of one another, people put down their instruments, and people have babies. Life's emphasis shifts from creativity to mundane concerns, and once-hopeful rock stars start to blend into the masses of those who never pursued a dream. This is not the case with singer/guitarist John Ralston, guitarist Nathan Jezek, bassist Steven Eschelman and drummer Jeff Snow the Palm Beach-based foursome.

Cassie Taylor and the Soul Cavalry is comprised of Cassie Taylor (Bass/Keys/Vocals), Eric Wiggs (Guitar) and Josh Moore (Drums). Based in Boulder CO, the young power trio creates a fresh sound: NeoBlues bridging the gap between Blues, Rock, Folk, Pop and Soul. Formed in November of 2011 the trio has already played to rave reviews in the Rocky Mountain region, and will tour extensively in the US and Europe in 2012. Front woman Cassie Taylor hails from Colorado, where she was born and raised. Cassie is the daughter of renowned bluesman Otis Taylor and toured in his band for seven years as bassist and backup vocalist. Staking a claim as a musician in her own right, her thumping bass lines, sultry vocals, original songs, witty sense of humor and high energy performance creates a diverse act resembling an old time variety show or cabaret. Not to be missed, Cassie Taylor and the Soul Cavalry will make even the most traditional of blues fans believers.

The Nouveaux Honkies started as an idea, came to fruition as a duo, and now are a slammin quartet. This quartet has quickly made a name for themselves through the southeast with their unique sound and blistering show. Tim O'Donnell's imaginative yet authentic approach combine his convincing vocals with his faithful guitar work. Rebecca Dawkin's beautifully haunting violin lays in the mix and projects perfectly.

Guitarist Albert Castiglia got an audition with Chicago blues legend Junior Wells and so impressed Wells with his playing and vocal style that he was asked to join the band. Following Junior's death, Castiglia toured with "Empress of the Blues" Sandra Hall. A powerhouse electric and slide guitarist, Albert Castiglia brings original tunes and soulful vocals to the Blues. Most of his upcoming CD release, “Keepin On”, was recorded live with very few overdubs. He enlisted five session musicians to help on the project, including harmonica master Sandy Mack, who played on “I Could Not Ask for More,” a Peter Green song. Mack had played on “Ghosts of Mississippi,” a song from Albert’s A Stones Throw album in 2006. According to Castiglia, “He kicked butt then and he picked up where left off on this session.” “Keepin On” features five new original tunes, plus other covers of songs by John Lee Hooker, Mack Rice, T-Bone Walker, Robert Nighthawk and Bob Dylan.

Dave and Tommy Malone, two of Louisiana's greatest guitarist-singer-songwriters, have joined forces to form one of the most exciting new lineups in American music. Both men have spent most of their adult lives in legendary bands, but when Dave's band "The Radiators" called it quits in June of 2011 and Tommy's band "The Subdudes" decided to go on hiatus, the stage was set for the long awaited Malone Brothers band. The two had grown up in Edgard, Louisiana, and after high school they moved to their birthplace...New Orleans... and formed Dustwoofie, a popular band among Tulane University students. The brothers later worked together in groups such as the Malone Rangers and Monkey Ranch but their current collaboration is their most fully realized musical entity yet. The brothers are both superb accompanists as well as leaders, making their trade-off even more exciting. Separately and together they have written numerous great songs recorded by their own bands and other world famous musicians and are revered for their guitaristic excellence. The combination is a musical experience that fans of both men have wanted to hear for years.

Born the grandson of a Mississippi sharecropper,Ben Prestage has been soaked in Blues tradition and Mississippi culture since birth. Growing up in the swamps of south central Florida, Prestage began to mix Mississippi Country Blues with his own brand of Florida Swamp Blues. This muddy- water- meets- black- water stew has led him to perform from California to the Carolinas to the Florida Keys, in large festivals, every kind of bar, and sometimes on downtown sidewalks. In his show, Prestage plays a cigar box guitar (made by Memphian an one-man-band John Lowe) which has stereo guitar and bass strings that can be played independently, at the same time. Then Ben added a series of four foot pedals that can be manipulated by the heels and toes of both feet to play a drum kit. The final result is Ben playing guitar, bass, and drums while singing his own brand of Blues which leaves bottles empty and dance floors full wherever his music takes him.