April 26, 2026
A Celebration of Women Songwriters
Abby Hamilton
Born and raised in Nicholasville, KY, Abby Hamilton is in the midst of a breakout year following the release of her acclaimed debut album, #1 Zookeeper (of the San Diego Zoo). In just the past few years, Hamilton has garnered a reputation as an engaging live performer and musician and recently made her television debut performing on CBS Mornings’ “Saturday Sessions” series. She has also opened for artists such as Tyler Childers, Deer Tick, Shakey Graves, Wynonna Judd, Blackberry Smoke, Kelsey Waldon and The Mountain Goats and performed at several major festivals including Bonnaroo, AmericanaFest, Railbird, Luck Reunion and more.
Girl Tones
Girl Tones, of planet Earth, are a high-energy rock duo brought to life by sisters, Kenzie and Laila. Their debut releases were produced by Brad Shultz of Cage The Elephant and released via his label Parallel Vision in partnership with Big Loud Rock [and] have earned the praise of Rolling Stone, VICE, Consequence, PAPER, NME, DORK, SPIN and many others. Girl Tones has toured with Cage The Elephant across the globe, as well as The Velveteers, hey, nothing., Silversun Pickups, and Dexter and the Moonrocks in North America. Making their unignorable festival debut at Lollapalooza, Shaky Knees, Austin City Limits and more, Rolling Stone said, “While the White Stripes — their most obvious comparison — were about controlled energy, Girl Tones are proudly imperfect.”
Emily Jamerson
Emily Jamerson is a singer-songwriter from Prestonsburg, Kentucky, whose music beautifully blends Appalachian tradition with a fresh, heartfelt voice. Influenced by country and folk and artists like Loretta Lynn, Emmylou Harris and John Prine, her songs tell deeply personal stories wrapped in warmth and honesty. Whether performing originals like “Run, Run Baby” or “Love Song,” Jamerson captures audiences with her soulful vocals and intimate stage presence. She’s appeared at standout venues and festivals such as Laurel Cove Music Festival, Manchester Music Festival, Master Musicians Festival, The Burl, Manchester Music Hall and Duke’s Indy, steadily growing a dedicated fanbase. With a style rooted in the mountains but reaching far beyond, Emily Jamerson delivers performances that feel both timeless and deeply personal.
May 24, 2026
The John Hartford Jamboree
Southland Jamboree Kickoff
The John Hartford Fiddle Tune Project
The musical legacy of John Hartford has found a new chapter with The John Hartford Fiddle Tune Project; Mandolinist Sharon Gilchrist, fiddle player Rachel Baiman, and banjo/guitarist Ella Korth bring newly discovered Hartford tunes to old-time and bluegrass fans everywhere. The John Hartford Fiddle Tune Project is passionate about sharing these tunes far and wide so that they can become part of the roots music canon for future musicians to love and enjoy. [This passion has led them to performances] at festivals such as The Earl Scruggs Music Festival, Cowichan Bluegrass Festival, the Folky Fish Festival and house concerts throughout the States. The Project also presents workshops [where they teach] tunes from Hartford’s Mammoth Collection FT book, aspects of Hartford's iconic songwriting and creative ensemble practices Hartford lead in his own band.
Hancock & Shouse
After years of performing around the country, Arthur Hancock [guitarist and founding member of the Wooks] and Chris Shouse [mandolinist and founding member of 23 String Band and Wolfpen Branch] have made a lot of musical memories. [Their past performances include] Spirit in the Bluegrass, Laurel Cove Music Festival, Li'l Sandy Shakedown and the Kentucky Wool Festival. Both [Arthur, and Chris] enjoyed their time in the award winning bands The Wooks, The 23 String Band, and Wolfpen Branch. [And] they are excited to continue making Kentucky Bluegrass music together and to represent their roots with some of Kentucky’s best musicians - Cody Dugger, on banjo [who] got into bluegrass because of his grandfather and has been playing since age 12, Laura Orshaw on fiddle, and Ryan Greer on bass.
Hancock & Shouse are proud Tunes Ambassadors for Can’d Aid that encourages music education and has donated over 4000 instruments to schools in need. Look for Hancock & Shouse performing across the Kentucky region this year.
The Tillers
The Tillers [Mike Oberst, Sean Geil, & Aaron Geil] have been thumping their own distinctive sound of string band style folk music for nearly two decades... Four studio albums and one live record have won them praise as modern folk storytellers of the national soundscape. The Tillers got their start in August 2007… The songs they picked were mostly older than their grandparents. Some came from Woody Guthrie, some were southern blues laments, and many were anonymous relics of Appalachian woods, churches, riverboats, railroads, prairies and coal mines... Musically, the band wears many hats. Their sound has proven to be an appropriate fit with a wide range of musical styles- traditional folk, bluegrass, jazz, punk rock and anything else they might run into. They continue to plot their travels around the map, electrifying new places and making new friends wherever they go. From place to place, they carry with them more instruments, new songs, and funnier stories. They are Cincinnati’s traveling minstrels.
