The Crossroads Acoustic Fest will return for its second year, and a number of artists already have been added to the lineup.
The two-night music festival is slated for 6 to 11 p.m. April 26 and 27 with listening rooms at the Jackson County Visitor Center, Rails Craft Brew and Eatery and Fraternal Order of the Eagles, all in Seymour.
The Crossroads Music Team revealed its initial lineup for the event Friday, and more acts will soon be added, organizer Shawn Busby said.
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Listeners may purchase wristbands for both nights for $30 until Feb. 25. The price goes up to $40 on Feb. 26, and single-night wristbands can be purchased for $25.
A portion of the proceeds from each wristband will go to the Southern Indiana Center for the Arts in Seymour.
The weekend also will include a raffle for several framed posters, which will be signed by each artist who performs. All of the funds raised through the raffle will go to the arts center.
“All we heard was positive comments,” Busby said of the inaugural festival. “Everyone was very enthusiastic about it, and I think they’re anxious for more.”
This year’s festival also will feature a songwriting workshop by Robert Reynolds, a Madison-based musician and founding member of The Mavericks. The band has won a Grammy and been nominated seven times. Reynolds is no longer with the band, but he will perform a solo act and lead the workshop at the visitor center.
“He does these workshops before and has some kind of formula for that,” Busby said. “I think this adds a new element and something different.”
He said even people who do not play music or write songs could find the workshop interesting.
“Even if you’re not a songwriter, I think it’s a cool addition and something you would like to see,” Busby said.
Many of the artists who will play are new to the festival, but there will be some familiar faces performing, too.
Jackson County native Stephanie Lambring, a Nashville, Tennessee-based singer-songwriter, is one of those.
Buffalo Wabs and The Price Hill Hustle of Cincinnati, fan favorites a year ago, plan to return, Busby said.
Brent James, who has played in Seymour throughout the years, will perform for the first time at this year’s festival. The Cincinnati-based artist has performed at local shows and New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Carolina Story of Nashville, Tennessee, also will perform.
The husband and wife duo Ben and Emily Roberts said they “never said no to a gig,” including ones at bars, churches, theaters, nursing homes and more.
The two have released a full-length album “Lay Your Head Down” through Sound Stage Studios in Nashville and have performed multiple time at the Grand Ole Opry.
“There is a lot of life in these 12 songs,” Ben Roberts said of the album. “It’s the story of our life together.”
Busby said more artists will be added, but he is excited about the lineup the way it is now.
“They’re all must-sees,” he said.
Busby does most of the booking for the festival, and the committee strives to have a variety of musicians and genres.
Lesser-known musicians and music in general are passions for Busby and his brother, Shane, who also serves on the committee.
The two travel to shows together and even attend festivals in the region and one in Florida.
Busby said it is special to see artists who are often under the radar because they tend to interact with the audience more than large acts.
“These artists like to engage with the audience, and they’re accustomed to playing smaller rooms,” he said. “They engage with the audience before and after the show.”
Busby said as the committee approaches the festival, he hopes people continue to support their effort to bring a different kind of event to the community.
“I think what we’re doing is pretty unique,” he said. “I like being able to offer something that unique, even if it’s just once or twice a year.”
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Artists scheduled for the 2019 Crossroads Acoustic Fest presented by the Southern Indiana Center for the Arts.
Buffalo Wabs and The Price Hill Hustle
Grayson Capps
Carolina Story
Chicago Farmer
Tim Easton
Brent James
Cicada Rhythm
Nick Dittmeier and the Sawdusters
Stephanie Lambring
New Reveille
Robert Reynolds
*The list is not complete, as more artists are expected to be added to the lineup.
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For information about the Crossroads Acoustic Fest and to purchase tickets, visit crossroadsacousticfest.com.
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