
2018 Artists

Hailing from the river town of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, Horseshoes & HandGrenades plays something like progressive high-energy Old-Time folk music. With strong roots in old-time and bluegrass, the band has formed its own unique style born from the diverse musical backgrounds and interests of the five friends who make up the band. All born and raised in the great state of Wisconsin, HHG began playing music and their earliest shows in the spring of 2009. Being mostly inspired by rivers, valleys, good friends, and good drink, this five piece is as sturdy as any Midwest riverbed and will make your toes tap from sundown to sunrise

LOVE CANON brings their acoustic-roots sensibilities to the electronic-tinged pop hits of the 80’s and 90’s to create their unique sound. The band’s diehard fans are music lovers first and are drawn to the charismatic and wide-ranging vocal stylings of lead singer and guitarist Jesse Harper matched with banjo master Adam Larrabee, mandolin pickin’ by Andy Thacker, Darrell Muller holding down the low-end on standup bass, and the slick sounds of resonator guitar king Jay Starling on the Beard MA-6. It’s acoustic rock! As seasoned virtuoso string players who have been touring the mid-Atlantic since 2010, LOVE CANON stays true to the approach, arrangements, and keen artistry of these nostalgic hits.

The Grass Is Dead are a force of Bluegrass and Grateful Dead music. Pickin’ and grinnin’ is what they do best! Based out of South Florida, they have been adapting Grateful Dead songs in their own bluegrass style since 1998. Always a festival favorite, The Grass Is Dead are guaranteed to make you smile, smile, smile!!! With a few new members on the roster, the GID are having a blast introducing their new multi-talented band mates to new fans and Old and in the Way fans alike.

Your host band, Sloppy Joe has been playing their own style of bluegrass and neo old-time music, lovingly penned as Slopgrass, since 1998. A talented and musically diverse group of individuals, the band swaps instruments right and left throughout their high energy performances, keeping the audience dancing and on their toes. Celebrating their 20th year together, the band continues their mission to preserve Slopgrass music for generations to come, and welcomes you to join the Jackpine Family on Labor day Weekend!

​Singer/Songwriter/Multi-Instrumentalist Joseph Huber was a founding member of the .357 String Band--a group that, despite its abrupt break-up, still continues to gain popularity and is known as one of the most influential groups in the recent insurgent underground country and bluegrass movement. Having moved from .357, Huber has honed his songwriting abilities immensely and now continues moving onward and upward captivating folks with his sincere and well-crafted songs under his own name and with his backing band. Whether it's irresistible, fiddle-driven, dancing tunes or honest, heart-wrenching "songwriter" songs, Huber spans the spectrum of 'Roots' music while preferring not to stay within the boundaries of any strict genre classification.

Old Man Luedecke, is one of Canada's best loved and most intriguing roots singer-songwriters. He is the real thing, a modern-day people’s poet and traveling bard and balladeer. He’s played around the world to a loving and increasing fan base, and won two Juno awards in the process.
"An original, he is a musical singularity to be savoured and shared", says the Vancouver Folk Festival. His memorable melodies, poetic sense and easy charisma appeal to anyone searching for new growth from old roots.
Old Man Luedecke was born in Toronto but has made his home for years in the music rich maritime province of Nova Scotia, on the east coast of Canada. There his music has been wholeheartedly adopted and is becoming representative for its traditional storytelling folk elements. It speaks to a new generation of people craving such meaning in their music.

Madison based Soul Symmetry could be an extremely competent dub/reggae band, pure blues-rock band, space-rock band, or funk-rock band, but instead they're choosing to explore and fill in the spaces between these nodal points, in the American jam-band tradition. There is an Incredible chemistry between these players, and they serve up a satisfying amalgam of Southern-boogie-psychedelic-funk vibes, playing mostly strong original material but also paying homage to their biggest influences.

Art Stevenson & High Water is Wisconsin's best-known bluegrass show, and has been in demand throughout the Midwest festival circuit since 1993. The band's bluegrass sound comes from the close duet singing of husband and wife team Art and Stephanie Stevenson, along with the spirited banjo and Dobro playing of Dale Reichert, and the hard-driving mandolin picking of Bruce King. High Water's music is heard on bluegrass radio programs around the USA and has received critical acclaim in the magazines Bluegrass Unlimited and Bluegrass Now. Recording artist James King and country music historian Bill Malone agree that Art and Stephanie Stevenson rank among the best duet singers active today.
The Yankee Coalition

The Jackpine is your only chance to see the boys from The Yankee Coalition play as they once did back in the days of The Great Northern Bluegrass Festival (Mole Lake, WI). Tuck Pence is a well renowned musician in his own right, but when backed by Danny Lincoln -banjo wizard and pedal steel extraordinaire, Joe Cronick -alias "mandolin man", the uncle of Bluegrass- G.T. "Doghouse" Hauser, and Donny Lincoln, it is a show not to be missed!

​Wisconsin’s hardest working musician, Singer-songwriter, Tuck Pence has been in the music business for over 30 years, and has performed every Jackpine to date. With a repertoire of over 2,000 songs, 4 albums, and years of being on the road under his belt, Tuck is truly an American Relic. An astounding performer, and true friend, he is the finest example we know of what great musicianship really means.

Dig Deep is a four-piece string band based out of Wisconsin that has in a very short time become a truly unique voice and a cornerstone of the thriving Midwest roots community. Through tireless full-time touring throughout the upper Midwest and across the country, the release of an acclaimed debut album, numerous high-profile festival and theater appearances, Dig Deep has earned love from fans, respect from musicians, and rapport with venues and events with their well-honed, hard-edged sound and their boisterous, dynamic performances.

The Trout Poppers
Poppin' off some reels of fiery old time tunes and feisty trouts are some of this band's choice activities. The fiddle, clawhammer banjo, guitar and bass blend into an extremely dance able and enjoyable combination, sure to make even the most stoic of Jackpiners tap a toe.

Armchair Boogie takes progressive bluegrass to new heights by genre-bending in the funkiest of fashions. The Madison, Wisconsin based lads show much promise in high-energy live performances and quality studio work. With their debut album released spring 2018, Armchair Boogie continues to entertain audiences across the midwest and beyond.

Insomniac Gypsy is an original, bluegrass-infused, high-energy string band, infusing bluegrass with jazz, funk, and rock to come up with a completely different sound all their own. Denny Vanesky’s song writing take center stage as he conjures up songs about life in the rural Midwest and beyond. His raspy and intense vocals are that of a backwoods storyteller, and his playing-with-fire, hot picking guitar style is as flavorful as a Kentucky barbecue. Rounding out the band are the multi-talented Gypsies, whos playing is always a blend of technical basting and improvised seasoning. Good tasting, dance-around-the-fire nourishment!

Dale Reichert & the Resonators are stirring the musical pot, mixing meat & potatoes bluegrass with classic country and a bit of jazz and swing. Well of course there’s plenty of that bubbling effervescent banjo that makes bluegrass so exciting and danceable. With just one listen you will know why Eddie Biebel is considered one Wisconsin‘s finest singers. Spice it up with the magic of the mandolin and fiddle. Then, mix in some old-time steel guitar and you have a musical feast for your ears and a dance party for your feet.

The trio of songwriters, known as Ukelyptus, fuse sweet vocal harmonies with the sounds of the baritone ukulele, mandolin, and bass fiddle to create a truly captivating and original sound. Playing together since 2014, Ukelyptus released their first album "Open A Doorway" in August of 2015....Imagine mermaids...

Based in southeastern Wisconsin, Noah John & Ringing Iron are forging full speed ahead into the Wisconsin music scene by playing traditional bluegrass and gospel music as well as country, Americana and folk. Blending hard driving banjo, powerful mandolin, booming upright bass, steady rhythm guitar and tight harmonies, the band pays homage to the past while continuing to create their own new, unique sound.

Wisconsin Bluegrass featuring singer, songwriter & guitar picker Ryan Thompson along with Bobby Burns on mandolin, Theodore Vanesky on banjo, and Mackenzie Smith on vocals and upright bass.

Led by the songwriting of Jared Paul, this super group of musicians have been blazing their way through the Fox Valley and beyond.

It was early spring of 2016 when 4 members of the local music scene in Southeastern Wisconsin got together for a little jam session. Soon after their initial jam session they realized that the enthusiasm they shared wasn’t about to fade away… and so began The Dillweeds!
Though formed in early 2016, the members are no strangers to the scene… Shawn Drake (fiddle), Adam Lantz (guitar), and Eric Nelson (bass) came from the band American Folk and Pete Rallo (guitar) from Cosmic Railroad.
Along with the ever-present bluegrass core, The Dillweeds blend sounds from many genres of music that has influenced them throughout their lives.

​The Hand-Picked Bluegrass Band is a high energy acoustic band playing everything from the traditional “high lonesome sound” of Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Boys to the exciting sound of today’s progressive bluegrass groups – as well as their own original music. Featuring a a high caliber lineup, fronted by the husband and wife team of Joe and Sue Cronick, they deliver a show of stellar picking and powerful vocal arrangements. You can be sure that each and every performance will be a special one!

Featuring the songwriting of Jimers and Jeff, joined by Rev. Washboard Scallywag on percussion, The Free Radicalz incorporate the voice of change and the timeless theme of freedom into their original compostions. Attempting to change the world, one song at a time, the band is fired up and ready to go!

Paul Tanner
Born in West Virginia and now residing in Adams county Wisconsin, Paul Tanner’s singing is the real deal. He will bring his wonderful blend of bluegrass, timeless country tunes, and (of course) wisecracking jokes to our stage , sure to delight all!

The New Hope Hay Balers
Toe tappin gospel tunes sure to kick off Sunday morning with some spirit!
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