2025 Lineup is TBA
2024 Lineup
The festival convenes some of the brightest old time musicians, singers, and dancers in the country to celebrate where this music exists today. Join host artists Ken & Brad Kolodner for the Baltimore Old Time Music Festival!
The OnliesThe Onlies are a young group of old friends who perform together in a stringband. They grew up playing fiddles, guitars, and banjos in their hometowns of Seattle, WA and Lexington, VA. With their latest self-titled recording, the band digs deep into performances of traditional american popular (old time) music. The music moves with a pulsating drive, sharp arrangements, and rich vibration — it resounds with the present. The Onlies is Sami Braman, Riley Calcagno, Vivian Leva, and Leo Shannon.
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Bruce MolskyGrammy-nominated, described as “an absolute master” (No Depression), Molsky transports audiences to another time and place, with his authentic and personal interpretations of rarities from the Southern Appalachian songbook and other musical traditions from around the globe. Best known for his work on the fiddle, Bruce’s banjo, guitar and his distinctive, powerful vocals also resonate with listeners. His combination of technical virtuosity and relaxed conversational wit makes a concert hall feel like an intimate front porch gathering.
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From Africa to Appalachia
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Dom FlemonsDr. Dom Flemons, is a musician based in the Chicago area and he is famously known as The American Songster® since his repertoire covers over one hundred years of American roots music. Flemons is a songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, music scholar, actor, slam poet, record collector, and the creator, host, producer of American Songster Radio Show on WSM in Nashville, TN. He is considered an expert player on the banjo, guitar, harmonica, jug, percussion, quills, fife and rhythm bones. He is a founding member of the ground-breaking stringband the Carolina Chocolate Drops.
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The HorsenecksThe Horsenecks are Gabrielle Macrae and Barry Southern. Based in Astoria, Oregon, they are two multi-instrumentalists who have come together from traditional music backgrounds and found a sound that weaves through layers of influence that include early Appalachian fiddle and banjo music, country, classic bluegrass and original folk. The Horsenecks continue to set a new standard in today's traditional music scene with years of touring under their belts, appearances at major festivals in the USA and the UK and three critically acclaimed studio albums.
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Ken & Brad KolodnerYour festival co-founders and hosts, the dynamic father-son duo Ken & Brad Kolodner weave together a captivating soundscape on hammered dulcimer, banjo and fiddles pushing the boundaries of the Old-Time tradition into uncharted territory. They'll be joined by Rachel Eddy on guitar/fiddle and Alex Lacquement on upright bass. The quartet won 1st place in the Neo-Traditional Band Contest at the Appalachian Stringband Festival in the summer of 2019.
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Becky Hill & FriendsBecky is a percussive dancer, square dance caller, choreographer, community organizer, and educator. She grew up in Michigan, spent extensive time in West Virginia and now resides in Brentwood, Maryland. As an avid organizer and teacher, Becky's work is deeply rooted in the connections between music and community. She believes there is always more to learn and is dedicated to creating innovative choreography rooted in Appalachian music and dance. She will be joined by Ben Nelson on banjo, Jesse Milnes on fiddle and renowned tap-dancer Roxy King with more special guests.
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Allison de Groot & Tatiana HargreavesTraditional music is not static; it shifts with the times, uncovering new meanings in old words, new ways of talking about the communal pathways that led us to where we are today. For master musicians Allison de Groot & Tatiana Hargreaves, traditional banjo and fiddle music is a way to interpret our uncertain times, to draw artistic inspiration and power from the sources of meaning in their lives. History, family, literature, live performance, and environmental instability all manifest in the sounds, feelings, and sensations that permeate their music. Their 2022 sophomore album, Hurricane Clarice is a direct infusion of centuries of matrilineal folk wisdom, a fiery breath of apocalyptic energy.
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Beatbox DadsBaby Beats with Max and Root is a live music and educational program for children that was created by Jamaal 'Mr. Root' Collier and Max Bent. Mr. Root is a dynamic stage performer, & master teaching artist who utilizes theater, rap and vocal percussion. Mr. Max, is a gifted musician and master teaching artist with a background in beatboxing and mobile music production. The idea for Baby Beats was cultivated through our passion to engage audiences fused with the need to provide age-appropriate Hip-Hop for children. Since its inception in May 2015, Baby Beats has developed a strong following hosting and performing at independent schools, festivals and libraries. The group highlights the originality and uniqueness of two fathers seeking bringing positive forms of entertainment to their community.
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Janine Smith*Calling the Family Dance*
The Janine Smith experience is what you get when you cross a howdy-ma’am-BBQ-and-beans Honky Tonk with Zoom contra and sprinkle on some twinkly lights for sass. She’ll bring you a night of fun dances, from squares to contras, heck maybe a Singing Square, whether you’re sitting, standing, or somewhere in between. Her teaching is clear and to-the-point, though she has been known to goof around a bit. She’s one of the “Hot Square Babes”, a quintet of female callers who threw a monthly Square Dance Party in the DC area from 2004-2018, and a founding member of the DC Square Dance Collective. |