Saturday,
June 3rd, 2023
Graves Park
Wakefield, NE
2023 LINEUP
BAKER GRISSOM
That was when he started writing constantly – often with Nashville’s most prolific hitmakers like Casey Beathard, Marv Green, Mark Irwin, The Warren Brothers, Tony Martin and more – even though he was still working odd jobs at Costco and Target to make ends meet.
And now, after a handful of years in Nashville’s tight-knit circles, Grissom has honed his craft and is ready to let the world hear what he’s been putting his blood, sweat and tears into. In a sea of songs that often touch on the same themes, Grissom’s stand out. His drinkin’ songs aren’t just about the drinking, for example, they’re about what landed him on that barstool in the first place.
After a couple million streams of his first few releases – “Sunday,” “Workin’ Man,” and “Drink for That” -- Grissom has brought in Grammy Award-winning producer Ben Fowler (Eric Clapton, Rascal Flatts, Maddie & Tae, Kelsea Ballerini, Jameson Rodgers, Kris Kristofferson, Lynyrd Skynyrd) to cut his sophomore project, due out later this year. They’re currently in the studio putting the finishing touches on his upcoming release “Her on Out.”
Whatever songs Grissom has written so far, and whatever songs he writes in his very bright future, they’re sure to be solid country gold. Because that’s the lane he’s driven to be in, and he’s not veering off course any time soon. “The more I live it,” he says, “the more I love it."
When he first arrived in Music City after finishing college in Arkansas, the country singer-songwriter paid his dues by waiting in lines outside places like The Bluebird Café, The Commodore, and Blue Bar for their coveted open mic nights. “I left Arkansas four days after graduation. I lived with someone I found on Craigslist. All I cared about was getting to town,” Grissom recalls of his first shots at fame, queued up and ready to share his talents with the city.
And in those lines, he learned that patience pays off, that dreams happen when you’re driven, and that the people he met there would end up being his friends, co-writers and collaborators. They were all going to chase the neon dream together. So they wrote songs, they networked, and they all had each others’ backs. Meanwhile, back home, Grissom’s mother had his back. She entered her son’s song “Sunday” into Arkansas’ Alchemy Songwriting Competition, and he won. That win led to a connection with hit songwriter Adam Hambrick – Justin Moore’s “Somebody Else Will” and Dan + Shay’s “How Not To” -- who took Grissom under his wing.
After that, Grissom came to the attention of music industry executive Brooke Antonakos, and she helped him navigate his first publishing deal. “He landed several strong holds with artists from Jason Aldean to Jon Pardi,” she says, “but I knew deep down that Baker was the artist meant to cut these songs.”
Emmett Bower Band
The Emmett Bower Band is a rock influenced alt country band from Lincoln, Nebraska which originated in late October, 2010.
Since the early days, the music and format has constantly evolved. Changes to the band's roster were inevitable. The current lineup consists of a tight four-piece group, creating the foundation for the group's unique sound.
The Emmett Bower Band plays nearly 100 shows per year, touring the nation — even playing shows in country music strongholds like Nashville and Austin. The band has shared the stage with amazing talent, such as Randy Rogers Band, Roger Creager, Jason Boland and the Stragglers, Bart Crow, Jackson Taylor, Gloriana, Sonia Leigh, No Justice, Thomas Rhett, Jon Pardi, Frankie Ballard, Logan Mize, Casey Donahue, Aaron Watson, Whiskey Myers and many others. The band's catalog of music currently consists of four self produced albums under the the "It's A Party Records" record label (the bands own label). Songs such as "Never Let it Go", "Single for the Summer", "The Way She Danced", "Before She's Gone", "You saved me", "Chasin' the Sun", "Tumbleweed", and "Main Attraction" have been played on radio stations in Nebraska, Kansas, and Tennessee in regular rotation.
Their latest album was nominated for 2018 Album of the Year, and Jeff was nominated for Songwriter of the Year by the Rocky Mountain Country Music Awards.
In Nebraska, Emmett Bower Band songs can regularly be heard on stations such as Y102, 103.9 KNLV, US92, 104.9 The Max, 93.1 the River, and KBEAR Country. Possessing a wealth of stage experience and a deep catalog of music, the four members have honed their live performance to accomodate larger venues, dance halls, streetdances, rodeos, weddings and festivals. The band takes pride in writing original music their own way.
Currently the boys writing music for their fourth album. There is no slowing them down, and they definitely mean business. It's all neckbones, baby!
Isaac Cole
Isaac Cole turned twenty-two years old in April of 2022, and returned to Nashville after working at Dollywood Theme Park in Pigeon Forge, TN where he was a full-time utility musician in The Back Porch Band. That means he played whatever instrument they needed him to play. Most often he played acoustic guitar, some electric guitar, banjo, harmonica, and occasionally the fiddle. Isaac was even given the honor of playing guitar for Dolly Parton herself in April 2019 for a media event. Isaac traveled from his western Pennsylvania home to audition for Dollywood in January of 2018 while he was still finishing high school. Between Christmas and New Year's of 2018 Isaac received a job offer from Dollywood for the 2019 season, so after about six months in Nashville, he made the move to Pigeon Forge. The CoVid shut downs caused him to lose his job, and now he’s back to follow his dreams!
Isaac recorded a new CD project as soon as he returned to Nashville, and it was released at the end of summer 2021.
During his first stay in Nashville, Isaac wrote “Too Nice” with Devon O’Day, recorded it with Jeff Bates producing, and released it as a single in March of 2019. He traveled across the country to promote the single to country radio stations, and was able to appear on the Music Row Breakout Chart for the first time in his career, thanks to the help of his manager/promoter Sarah Reed. During the same year, Isaac also wrote quite a few Christmas songs, with some of his favorite co-writers, Corey Lee Barker, and Randy Finchum among others. He recorded his first “all original” six song Christmas EP “Cole for Your Stocking” with Kimo Forrest producing, and released it in October of 2019. The single “Christmas Shoppin’ Again” was released to Country radio for the Christmas season. As soon as his new single is ready, he’ll be heading out to promote it on another radio tour in fall of 2021.
In his 21 years, Isaac has recorded five CD’s (“Country Boy” 2011, “Just a Kid” 2013, “I’m Your Huckleberry” 2016, “Cole for Your Stocking” 2019, and “The Fifth” 2021) and two singles “Everyday Livin’”, and “Too Nice”. Isaac is also a proud member of the legendary Wheeling Jamboree. He was inducted in 2016 as the second youngest solo artist ever to be inducted, behind Brad Paisley! His largest stage was appearing on the January 2016 season XV of American Idol on FOX, where he made it all the way through Hollywood week, and ended up in the top 51 after the Showcase Round. We’re excited to see what’s next…
Rascal Martinez
Channeling a mix of Indie-Rock and Americana. Rascal Martinez is a singer/songwriter from Nebraska who connects with a soulful audience. Since a young age, Rascal always connected with people through his music ability and stories. Now he is connecting with a wide variety of audiences who can see themselves in his songs.
Spending time on the road has enriched Rascal’s connection with
people. He sees himself heartfelt with America but has also found an audience throughout the world - Brazil, UK, Canada, and Romania.
Singer/Songwriter Rascal Martinez, hails from the Mid-West. He grew up in asmall Nebraska town where he went from recording albums in a home basement studio to the professional studios of Nashville, Tennessee.
Rascal Martinez's unique Americana-style roots music elicits memories of Buddy Holly and early Van Morrison. The duo delivers accessible and heartfelt originals, as well as an impressive catalogue of covers and standards.
Rascal tours year-round throughout the Mid-West, including Nashville, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Denver, to name a few. Shows are supported by material from 3 very strong CDs. His fan base is extensive and loyal, with more than 23,000 followers on Facebook alone!
Rascal carries a small plug-in and play stage footprint but brings a big sound. Rock is replete with pretenders, borrowers, and copycats, but once in a great while comes an artist who channels a spirit with a fresh yet familiar and resonant style.