HEADLINER: THE COLD STARES

The Cold Stares are just fine with being one of the few modern blues-rock power trios in the world today. Based out of Evansville, Indiana, The Cold Stares continue to explore what it means to be a “modern” blues-rock trio on their new album Texas—paying tribute to the state where so many of their influences like ZZ Top and the Vaughan brothers called home.

Initially formed in 2012, The Cold Stares began their career as a duo, but expanded their sonic firepower with the addition of bassist Bryce Klueh in 2022. Fuzzed-out guitars, classic rock guitar riffs, and fleet-fingered Cream-style improvisations abound, as do nods to Delta blues and an emphasis on songwriting and lyricism. The group has been praised by Classic Rock Magazine, No Depression, and American Songwriter, among other outlets; they reached #1 on Amazon Music’s Blues Rock album chart; ant they’ve had consecutive albums in Billboard Blues top ten charts.

The Cold Stares have earned prime sync license placements in commercials with Dodge and Chevy among others, had songs on hit television shows like Animal Kingdom and Sex Education,  and have become a staple on many video games including Cyberpunk 2077 and UFL.

DEEJ SG & CO. w/VOODOO CLOWNS & GUITARIST TIM LOWE – “Gate Opening Jam” – Gates open at 3:00pm and the jamming will commence soon thereafter, so come early and don’t miss a minute of this year’s event! Deej SG & Co. will lay down some sounds for the earlybirds joined once again by the Voodoo Clowns, with guest drummer Bruce Little (our back gate security guy) and guest guitarist Tim Lowe.  Particularly unique to this act is the fact that Deej is an “older learner” who began studying lead guitar in 2010 at the age of 50 and has developed his own original style from scratch without any direct imitation of his influences. If you arrived early enough to catch the “pre-show jam” the past couple of years, we think you know it will be worth showing up early and enjoying what’s in store for 2026! Deej has fronted several bands going way back including Longshot, (Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute), Communication Breakdown (Led Zeppelin tribute) and one of the hottest bands on Cape Cod during the early 90’s, Disorderly Conduct.

GUEST GUITARIST TIM LOWE is Deej’s youngest brother and is a tremendous guitarist! Tim has been playing from Cape Cod to Boston for many years including several years with his original band “40 Thieves” and for the past several years has been the guitarist for Cape Cod based “Jack Nasty”. Tim is also a member of Trans-Siberian Orchestra tribute band “Ornament”, a top-notch tribute to TSO with limited sold-out engagements during the Christmas season. If you’re able to catch them, you won’t regret it! Ornament has a return each year to the Stadium Theater in Woonsocket, R.I. and you might be lucky enough to score tickets if you try early enough.

VOODOO CLOWNS – A dynamic band spanning styles from roots to contemporary blues, this driving 3-piece band is sure to scratch your blues itch. The band is fronted by the combo of musical powerhouses: guitarist and vocalist Dave “Fish” Bottom, Steve Kaulback on drums and vocals, and bassist “Dr. Dan” Dubuordieu. Dave picked up his first guitar from a dime store and started teaching himself to play. After flirting with pop music Dave was introduced to blues via the famed British Invasion. That influence underlies the bluesy soloing that Dave brings to his playing; feisty blues steeped in traditional idioms with modern aggression. Dave has performed with LA East, St Amand, Blue Sky Project, Blues Tonight, Maxwell Street and the Voodoo Clowns. Dave is a member of the Maine Blues Hall of Fame.

The son of a Navy Commander, Steve Kaulback started his musical journey in Texas in 1963 singing and drumming. After hearing Albert King’s Live Wire/Blues Power album he knew he was hooked for life. His bands have included Cottonmouth Blues Band, Arlo West and the LA Bluesmen, The Pinecasters, Juke Joint Devils, Continental Shakedown, Mike Hayward and the Blue Lions, Dave Mello Trio, and the Voodoo Clowns. Steve is a member of the Maine Blues Hall of Fame and is recognized by the Maine Blues Heritage Foundation Museum.

While Dr. Dan Dubuordieu has played bassoon in symphonic orchestra, his bass playing earned his reputation as the “People’s Bassist.” Dan climbed to the top in the Minneapolis blues scene with the Mudsharks back in the 1980’s before moving to the east coast to continue the blues journey playing with the sidemen of the sidemen to the stars on longtime stints with Tommy Dee, Mike Hayward, Andy Schoenfeld. Dan has helped organize and run longtime music festivals including Woodstick and York County Blues Festival.