Hickory’s Oktoberfest Entertainment Guide • 10/13, 10/14, & 10/15

OKTOBERFEST MUSIC LINEUP

MAIN STAGE

Friday, October 13

7:15 – 8:45 PM
NiiTO
“Based out of Raleigh-Durham, NC, NiiTO has spent the last few years crafting a unique sound while becoming more in tune with themselves and the people of this world. With heavy influences from a variety of genres, they’ve stumbled upon a sound that blurs the lines between R&B, Rock, Pop, Soul, Funk, Jazz, Blues and more. “The more genres we can absorb… the more people we can spread love to”..”

9:15 – 10:45 PM
Big Daddy Love
As you can probably tell by their name, Big Daddy Love is no gentle string quartet. Their music has been described as “a blend of rock, bluegrass, southern soul, and psychedelic jams.” One reviewer characterized them as “a band with teeth” (fortunately in both a literal and metaphorical sense). Identifying a single genre for Big Daddy Love is nearly impossible; all four members are comfortable playing almost any type of American music. Collaboratively, the band produces a unique sound that they have long referred to as “Appalachian Rock.”

 

Saturday, October 14

5:00 – 6:45PM
Krystal King
Krystal King is your “next door redneck” bringing you relatable songwriting with vivid and humorous imagery and a blended sound of classic/90’s country laced with blues, rock, and folk – “If Janis Joplin went Honky Tonk.” Originally from Hickory, NC, King is now based out of Nashville and tours nationally.

7:15 – 9:00 PM
JJ Hipps & The Hideaway
J.J. Hipps and the Hideaway is a blues trio based out western North Carolina. Mark “Bump” Bumgarner on bass, Ben Pannenbacker on drums, and J.J Hipps on guitar and vocals.

9:30 – 11:00 PM
Weekend Excursion
Weekend Excursion is a North Carolina-based alternative rock band known for their hook-laden melodies, tasty guitars, and rich harmonies. Their unique, violin-infused sound has garnered a dedicated fan base, and the opportunity to share the stage with artists such as John Mayer, Black Eyed Peas, Barenaked Ladies, Melissa Etheridge, Five For Fighting, Hootie and the Blowfish, and Collective Soul. In addition to their successful touring career, the band has also had songs featured on popular shows such as Scrubs, The Vampire Diaries, Dallas, and Dawson’s Creek.

Most recently and notably, along with performances by Usher, Ellie Goulding and Kenny Loggins, WE was featured on CNN New Year’s Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen. With their engaging live performances, infectious energy, and undeniable chemistry, Weekend Excursion continues to captivate audiences and solidify their legacy in the Southeast music scene.

COMMSCOPE STAGE

Friday October 13

5:00 – 7:00 PM
The Steubenville Tootlers
The Steubenville Tootlers is an Oktoberfest style German band. All music is played in the traditional Oom-pah style. Band members include John Entzi (Trumpet and Vocals), Rick Neiman (Tuba and Vocals), Nathan Hefner (Keys and Vocals) and Justin Watts (Drums).

 

Saturday, October 14
10:30 – 11:00 AM
WPSCA Youth Orchestra

11:15 – 1:30 PM
The Steubenville Tootlers
The Steubenville Tootlers is an Oktoberfest style German band. All music is played in the traditional Oom-pah style.

1:45 – 3:15 PM
Sycamore Bones
Traversing musical genres to give an energy filled performance of alt-country, folk, rock and Americana, the heart-felt lyrics and harmonic melodies of Western North Carolina based band Sycamore Bones have graced the stages of music venues across the region for the last seven years. Throughout this time they have developed a following around their originality and their ability to invite audiences into their music through strong three-part harmonies, undeniably honest lyrics, and a captivating stage presence.

The sound of Sycamore Bones has been likened to such bands as Wilco, John Prine, REM, Old 97s, and Watchouse, while developing their own unique brand of Americana.

3:30 – 5:00 PM
The Band Opal Moon
The band Opal Moon was formed in 2020 , the name came from lead singer Renee Williams and has been her stage name for 10 plus years even when she was playing her style of soulful songs as a single artist, Opal has been enjoying singing and playing guitar for the last 20 years to audiences all over the United States bringing her eclectic and soulful style to your favorite cover songs as well as her original songs, she is joined on stage by Anthony Pescatore on guitar and vocals, Stevie Van on drums and Todd Costner on bass guitar . This line up brings a lot of fun and energy as well as years of experience and passion to the music, and the show as well.

 

Sunday, October 15

12:30 – 2:00 PM
Unspoken Tradition
Mountain Home Recording Artist Unspoken Tradition is about new, original Bluegrass. Inspired by their own influences and the roots of traditional and newgrass music, this North Carolina based quintet brings a sound that is both impassioned and nostalgic, hard-driving and sincere.

Their 2020-21 singles have all charted in the Bluegrass Today top 20 including “California” #1 “Irons in the Fire” #2 and “Carolina and Tennessee” #4.

Their 2019 release from Mountain Home Music Company, Myths We Tell Our Young, debuted at #5 on the Billboard Bluegrass charts and has seen 5 top-charting radio singles, including a #1 spot on the Bluegrass Today chart for “Dark Side of the Mountain.”

 

2:30 – 5:00 PM
The Steubenville Tootlers
The Steubenville Tootlers is an Oktoberfest style German band. All music is played in the traditional Oom-pah style.
Singer/Songwriter Stage

 

SINGER/SONGWRITER STAGE

Saturday, October 14

11:00AM – 12:00 PM
Zeb Spencer
Your every day chimney sweepin’ country music star! Zeb was a contestant on Season 17 of American Idol.

12:15 – 1:15 PM
Nathan Storey
Nathan is a seasoned singer-songwriter from North Carolina. “He puts lush emotion and sincerity into each note making any listener sit up and take notice…his melodies and chord changes become hook laden delights,” as described by John Fonvielle, The Beat Magazine. In his songwriting, “Storey weaves intimate tunes, filled with emotion and powerful metaphor,” as detailed by Hunter Gardner of Charleston Grit. Storey toured the east coast at notable venues including Rockwood Music Hall in NYC, the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC and the River Arts Festival in Jacksonville, Fl.

1:30 – 2:30 PM
Casey Clark
Songwriter and Guitar Player. I play guitars, dig holes, and write songs about what I see at the bottom

Honesty always attracts a crowd,” and it’s proven to be a potent tool for Nashville based North Carolinian Casey Clark. A firm believer in the power of a well crafted tune, Clark’s work as a songwriter and road dog have won him respect from peer artists and classic country fans alike.

Showcasing these stories is a 5 song EP with Grammy award winning engineer Matt Ross Spang (Jason Isbell, Drive By Truckers, Margo Price). From steel stomping robbery song “Train,” inspired by the Outlaw Jesse James; to hard working beer cave anthem “Get my Chair Out,” Clark continues to sing his unfiltered southern truth. Trust me, your ears are better for it! -Rural American Post

2:45 – 3:45 PM
Kaleb Cecil
Born and raised in Bardstown, Kentucky, Kaleb is a 25 year old musician currently bringing new meaning to the term, original. Blending Alt. Country, roots Americana, and Kentucky grit, his songs are the elegy to a lifetime of music, experience and dedication. He began his career in the bourbon soaked bars of Bardstown, KY following hot on the heels of entertainers like Ashley McBryde and Sunday Best who have frequented the Bardstown music scene. After expanding his reach and audience to the entire state of Kentucky, Kaleb began expanding his reach to states all over the US. With ballads like “Living the Dream”, to the downright bourbon bluegrass ode, Mary, Kaleb’s music is to be enjoyed like the sour mash spirit that spawned his hometown: as much and as often as possible.

4:00 – 5:00 PM
Molly Stevens
Molly has toured with acts such as Jamey Johnson, Lindi Ortega, Darlingside, Billy Joe Shaver, Mindy Smith, Griffin House, Angie Apparo, the Indigo Girls, Christian Lopez, Natalie Stovall and The Drive, Elizabeth Cook, Bonnie Bishop along with many others. Molly is a powerhouse vocalist who lays her soul on the stage for all to feel. Complimented by raw and real lyrics that capture the audience, she reels you in to the depth of her heart as she sings about her story. She has performed at all venues across the country such as Rockwood Music Hall, Eddie’s Attic, Bluebird Cafe and The Evening Muse as well as many festivals including the CMA fest two years in a row and 30A Songwriter’s festival. Molly was on season 14 of The Voice.

 

KIDSFEST LINEUP