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April 24-26, 2026

Word of South

Jordan Smart

Jordan Smart

Jordan Smart is a Kentucky based folk singer-songwriter known best for his raw delivery of heartfelt songs ranging from achingly personal to intensely topical and satirical protest. Inspired by the likes of John Prine, Malvina Reynolds, Phil Ochs, Barbara Dane, Woody Guthrie and many others, Smart crafts thoughtful lyrics heavily saturated with a deep sense […]

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Jim Rugg

Jim Rugg

Jim Rugg is an Eisner and Ignatz Award winning cartoonist, designer, zinemaker, and illustrator. His books include Alien Disclosure, Hulk Grand Design, Street Angel, the PLAIN Janes, Conspiracy Comics, True Crime Comics, 1986 zine, BW, Afrodisiac, Adults Only, Supermag, Octobriana 1976, and Rambo 3.5. He is the co-creator of YouTube’s Cartoonist Kayfabe channel. He is […]

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Harvey Street

Harvey Street

Harvey Street blends indie and alt-rock sensibilities with grace, carving a powerful new groove into contemporary music. Described as “disciplined electricity,” the band is best known for their energetic live experience. In addition to four headline tours, the band has supported notable acts such as Flipturn, Moon Taxi, Futurebirds, The Stews, Arcy Drive, Daniel Donato, […]

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Gareth Pearson

Gareth Pearson

Gareth Pearson is referred to as “The Welsh Tornado” which is particularly appropriate, seeing as this special talent combines fingerstyle pyrotechnics, with explosive lead runs making Pearson one of the most exciting acoustic musicians gigging today. Gareth has a distinctive style that can be heard through his creative and innovative arrangements which cover a wide […]

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Frank X. Walker

Multidisciplinary artist, Frank X Walker is Professor in the department of English and Creative Writing at the University of Kentucky. A Cave Canem Fellow and co-founder of the Affrilachian Poets, he is the author of thirteen collections of poetry including Load In Nine Times, winner of the 2025 Pen/Voelcker Award for Poetry and Turn Me […]

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Earth, Wind, & Fire

Earth, Wind & Fire

Earth, Wind & Fire is a music institution. In 1969, music legend Maurice White birthed the music force named after the elements from his very own astrological charts. With soul as deep as the plant, Earth, Wind & Fire charted a history that will live on forever. They’ve scored eight number one hits and have […]

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The Firewater Tent Revival

Firewater Tent Revival

The Firewater Tent Revival is a high-energy six-piece band from Atlantic Beach, Florida (Jacksonville) that blends bluegrass, rock, outlaw country, funk, and fusion, collectively unknown as Psych-O-delic Outlaw Jamgrass. Rooted in traditional instrumentation, they push musical boundaries with thought-provoking originals, eclectic covers, and unlikely mashups. Firewater delivers a foot-stomping, genre-bending live show experience that makes […]

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Danny Schmidt

Danny Schmidt

Named to the Chicago Tribune‘s list of the ”50 Most Significant Songwriters in the Last 50 Years,” Austin, TX-based singer/songwriter Danny Schmidt has amassed a cult following for his poetic, poignant lyrics. With a craftsmanship and emotional depth drawing comparisons to Leonard Cohen and Townes Van Zandt, Schmidt is considered a preeminent writer. Sing Out! Magazine […]

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Chris Chandler

Few musicians can claim “on-the roadisms” the way poet and storyteller Chris Chandler can. He is a true veteran of the road, traveling across the US and Canada for many years, performing on thousands of stages and for hundreds of organizations seeking social justice. His anthology of road tales transforms into a flock of doves […]

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Carrie Elkin

Carrie Elkin

Carrie Elkin is one of those rare artists with a tidal wave singing voice, and a stage whisper writing voice that brings you to the edge of your seat, emotionally. Like Patty Griffin or Brandi Carlile, she straddles the Americana, Folk, and Indie Rock worlds, where meaningful songs meet the fierce-yet- fragile voices of powerful […]

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