In true Wisconsin fashion, the 2025 Blue Ox Music Festival kicked off with a good ol’ mud bath. Held June 26–28 at The Pines Music Park in Eau Claire, it didn’t take long for the opening-day rain to turn the grassy grounds into a squishy, Chaco-sucking mess. But if you’ve ever been to Blue Ox, you know a little mud doesn’t scare anyone off—long-time attendees always pack for it. Once the sun appeared and temperatures climbed, the weather shifted from soggy to scorching, yet spirits stayed sky-high from start to finish.

Sometimes songwriters find inspiration in the most unexpected ways, or the case of The Last Revel’s Ryan Acker, unexpected places. While on a solo mule deer hunting trip, the roots of the band’s new single, “Go On,” began to grow.

The vibrant music scene of Minnesota is coming together to celebrate the life and legacy of the late musician and songwriter Max Graham with the release of In My Mind a tribute album comprised of artist interpretations of the musician’s songs.

“The boat is off the shore and you can’t see land anymore—we’re in it now,” says The Last Revel banjoist, Ryan Acker, of the band’s current trajectory. “This is a step in our careers that feels like there’s no going back. There’s a level of commitment now that, just a couple of years ago, we didn’t fathom we could take on.” And their upcoming album reflects that sentiment in a surefooted and career defining way.

Every Labor Day weekend since 2011, the beautiful grounds of Camp Shaw-waw-nas-see near Manteno, IL have played host to Shoe Fest. I find myself camped this year with two of my favorite fire spinners and band members from Broken Robots. Yes, everybody can get close at Shoe Fest and you never know whom you might meet. This is an eclectic music festival with something for everyone, and some things unexpected.

The Infamous Stringdusters—mid-stride a strong driving, country-wide, Grammy inspired tour—came rolling through Portland’s Crystal Ballroom breathing fire March 9th, and smoked the house.  With the Stringdusters receiving well-deserved coverage from news media, music magazines, professional writers and PR firms, Grateful Web looked to the fan for the “real story.”  I recently contacted Gail Lordi, whom attended the show with her husband, Kliff Hopson, an