This is officially my fourth time here at North Springs Music Festival, and I have missed two previous ones. The first one was apparently a different type of demographic because the director just had not found out that he liked “our music” if you will. That next year he reached out to me and invited me out for my input and to be his guest. He was proud of the direction his vision was going, and once I got there I agreed with him…this one had potential for a positive outcome. As of this weekend I am convinced that he is gaining the communities support by leaps and bounds. I feel that it is integral to this festival that my articles feature the sponsors just as vibrantly as the bands on the bill.
I took some extra time this weekend to highlight many of these sponsors that make this event even happen on the paper side of things. I mean, listen, Dustin and his family take the time and trouble out of providing a SAFE place for us to party (within reason). Basically all those years ago, when Dustin invited me out and said “Come out and camp and drink a little and as long as everyone acts right, it’s a party” and man, is it ever. Nobody has ever done anything crazy here folks.
So that is why I basically focused a few hours of budgeted time to feature the investors, the food vendors, the sound crew, the volunteers who clean up after us. Those people deserve our love and appreciation too, and I promise you that not many other websites do it the way I do!
I can tell you that I get to visit with some of the most amazing sound techs in the business. Jeff and Ronnie and I have been friends for like 12 years now, and we enjoy spending our working hours intermingling. For the last 20 years I have had the opportunity to get to know some truly fine people behind the stage as well as the fine people in the audience.
The sponsorship involvement impressed me because trust me…that is the BEST WAY to make a festival run smooth, and become profitable in every way. Every aspect of this festival is running smoothly upon my observations, and I am having a wonderful time out here in the hayfield like I always do. Every name on this festival bill is on my cool list as far as music goes.
As a music fan, I want to say that this particular lineup was by far my personal favorite save for Cody Canada And The Departed. Trouble is you would just ADD THEM, because there are no bands here I would be willing to give up. None. Solid lineup here in every way Mr. Dustin. And here comes the sun, my friends are we not having a GORGEOUS weekend out here? No rain, No wind No HEAT ..perfect. So far one of the only small issues was a very limited food trucks. But it’s ok what is here can suffice, and those cheeseburgers are REALLY GOOD, I got pics of the vendors all over the article.
There are several children’s play areas in the festival layout now, which is a smart idea. So many locally owned regular people banding together to bring us all of these amazing bands like we have in just a few hours. I will tell you what, it sure is amazing to celebrate all of this music with everyone being sober myself. I have 0 issues with the drinkers. I expect that at festivals! We are here to party, are we not? There is no negative energy here, it does not exist on this man’s family property here. This is not a corporate board of investors, this is run by people like you and I. When I am here I respect it like it was my own, and everyone else does as well. This has become quite a spectacular family community.
I spent quite a bit of time floating about with a camera and a notepad, taking in all of the different things going on around me that is becoming more of a yearly thing and just creating fun things to do when the stage is being set up for the next band.
One of the events that began this year was this adult stick horse rodeo, don’t ask me about the specifics or rules because I have 0 clue, I just watched it. Really it was just a terrific way to overcome social anxiety for me, and a way to network and meet new people. This early there are many that are sober and ready to have a fun weekend .
There are many camps that are featuring games for the kids like HUMAN tic tac toe finger painting and coloring in these giant books. Some are preparing lunch for the family, I used this time to gather my notes and catch up. Because let’s face it folks, kids have an attention span of .5 seconds, so there more things there are to do to eliminate “I’m bored”.
It is not hot enough for any swimming or water related activities but just trust me, there is beyond enough to do down in the hayfield. After I finish up showing you all of the party from every angle, I promise you that in 2026, you will come out for sure!
Vendors galore adorn the aisles here in the hayfield, and they sell pretty much everything from band merch to toys and trinkets. In fact, a lot of these festivals that I attend on a yearly or bi yearly basis I have a few go to vendors for eating and some things I like like belts and hats. This often gives me a more broad opportunity to provide my readers with as much info as possible.
Before I delve into the music and the party, I wanted to talk about the food and other vendors. All of these other websites about music are fun to read, but none of them go into the vendors and other aspects of the featured festival being wrote about.
True, 75% of these articles are indeed about the music, I just always felt that there are more people that make the show commence than the band itself. I spent many years learning who does what job and how. I study not only the bands but the entire gambit of the overall existence of music.
One of the many reasons I support this festival so ardently is because of the director. The head guy in charge that has built this from scratch because he has such a passionate love for music. He loves his home community and he loves business. His actions prove he is the real deal and you can trust me when I say that he cares about you as a guest, and as a friend. I know I say it every year and I just do not care who thinks I am just blowing smoke up people’s asses but let me tell you this:
People only like the “big people” for numbers. If 10 people read this and buy one album, and care a bout the art it means more to me than if 1,000 read it and make comments on Facebook threads, that to me is not real. This man built this festival the same way I built this website…one person at a time. Brick by Brick.
You ready for the main reason we are here? I spend a lot of time during the week listening to all different types of music from all different genres, but overall mostly I spend more time with Country and Bluegrass. Perhaps some of you have never heard of a few of these artists, and I hope in my heart that you find some new bands to support walking away from this one.
I did not get there early enough to see Tyler James Kelley but I did get to watch a few videos of him playing songs from his debut album called “Dream River”. He has a really retro throwback style to his lyrics with lines like “I’d Rather Be Lonesome”. I will certainly try in the future to cover him further, as he is part of a package show deal with Sunny Sweeney at the Nashville Palace. More on that later on this week.
It has been a long time since I have had the opportunity to see Wes Shipp from Florida. He has played this particular festival many times now and he also has been growing his fan base with other festivals as well in the Midwest area of Indiana and Illinois. He is a lot like I am in the fact he is an addict and we both chose sobriety over our desires because we care about our loved ones that want us here and not all junkied out. Wes Shipp is a good man, and a proud father. I see good things for him in 2026.
He is definitely growing in the independent scene because a few years back he was only a one man band and he now employs other band mates. To get to see him with a full band was very exciting. He got me to thinking about our good friend Billy Don Burns with his version of “Lonesome 77203”.
I caught his cover of “Ramblin Fever” by Merle Haggard in 1977, off the album of the same name. He also played two originals like the song he wrote that got cut by Whey Jennings called “Jekyll and Hyde”. It also boasts the name of the album as well. Another song I got to catch was “Citrus County Jail”.
Erin Viancourt is a name you will hear around downtown Nashville as a songwriter, but now she is taking the roads by storm on her own on stages all over with her album "Won't Die This Way" in 2023. She plays many festivals and shows now all over America.
I know she wrote "Crazy In My Mind" with Jabe Beyer and another. Jabe is one I know his work of, but we have never met. He is a lefty like me and I heard he fancies a Gibson SG. She wrote the song "Cheap Paradise" with Ward Davis, who played last year. See, most of these artists and festivals all tie in together.
"Playin' Old Records" is an older one I remember her playing around town a few years back. One of my favorite songs she does is one she co wrote with Leroy Powell, whom I consider to be an amazing musician that many overlook. That song is called "Down The Barrel".
The title track of the album is called "Won"t Die This Way" and it is with Kendall Marvel and Cody Jinks. See she has written some banger songs with some heavyweights in the area the likes of Natalie Hemby and more. Good set.
Next up was Rye Davis, who also has been my friend for many years has many of his own songs like "Blue Jeans" which I am almost certain any young man can relate to easily. I remember back when he first became a Dad, and now she gets to come visit him onstage!
"They All Know My Name" is another anthem for the Underdog. All of these bands that have played this weekend are Underdogs. All of them. And that ain't in the Bible but "It Should Be". Honestly, I feel kind of bad because he lives out near my area and I just do not get to see him as much as I would like to.
Much like Tony Logue, he plays heavily in West Kentucky and West Tennessee, and he gets equally overlooked by many. He played right along with Adam Hood, who kept the show rolling right along with songs like "Front Porch Thang", which he wrote with Chris Stapleton.
His album and song "Bad Days Better" is a very well written song, and one of my personal favorites of his along with many others. He brought out Courtney Patton also performed one with Patton and Taylor Hunnicutt, who also played later on. Wes Shipp and Patton played "She Never Knew Me" by Don Williams. Taylor Austin Dye was another younger artist beating the pavement in Nashville that I have not had the opportunity to see until now. She is gaining a self built audience the same way Tony Logue is. By doing shows and shaking hands. I do not know enough about her to say If she has a make up crew or wardrobe crew, but she maintains a well done area in that.
Her influences show brightly on songs like "Rhiannon" by Fleetwood Mac and her talents shine as well on her own songs she wrote called "Fake Ring". For her young age, that songs proves she is indeed well learned of the ways of the older folks. I do not feel that young adults should have to suffer the woes of a bad marriage.
From that album called "Sick of Me" that had that song on it she also played "Little Miss Fortune" for us and "Almost Oklahoma". And from her album of "Out of these Hills" she played two songs, one was called "Bible Belt" and "Rest in Peace".
The first night has two acts left. Ben Chapman and Jason Eady. I sat back at my car and began working on the day ahead while listening to both as they closed out the night. Jason Eady played many of those unforgettable Eady classics we all lust after. I am going to be honest here folks, it is time that prohibits me from seeing as many artists as I would like to, and he is one of those people. please enjoy this photo dump before we get into day 2.
I woke up in my new car and gathered my things that I will need to use for the day, as I greeted my weekend neighbors and went over the day's lists. There was a bunch of activities going on before the music started and many of them are talked about up above in the first section.
Cody Ikerd and the Sidewinders opened up the day. It was supposed to be Alex Williams but ended up being not, if I remember correctly. I could be wrong on that one. Cody Ikerd and his band played a rousing version of "Honky Tonk Blues" the Hank Williams classic from days of old.
Their new single "Roll On Chevy" is now being played on XM radio and he was celebrating that accolade along with playing his other originals like "Whiskey Made Me Do it" along with covers of his own influences like David Allan Coe as they played "You Never Even Called Me By My Name".
My favorite part of the set was when they played "Amazing Grace" just singing the lyrics, and they also played a song called "You Can Find Me In A Honky Tonk". I spent a lot of time studying each band on this roster before I covered the event.
As far as I can study, this was the band's current lineup and there are five other members besides him. Willie Boruff, Tyler Earl, Corey Flick, Casey Simmons and William Wes Schrimsher. I will change these portions if I find any mistakes I make.
The almighty Filthy Heathens are a sight to behold live. As they barrel out their own versions of songs like "War Pigs" from Black Sabbath to "Whipping Post" from Allmans. The band itself consists of Bronson Hetzer, Ryan Palcic, Craig Bishop, Cody Doench, and Dawson Stepp.
They played their first single called "Tupelo Sun" along with many of their songs from their new album called Etheridge. This band grew up in the same era as I did, and they juxtapose many of the genres of music I love to produce a product that I love called The Filthy Heathens.
"Devils Like Me" makes me feel like the song was written about me. I did my first real girlfriend very wrong and she married one of my friends and had a good life. As a recovered addict, I would have out her through hell. Devils Like Me indeed. Another thing I like about this band is their use of intros and vocal theatrics in their set. It keeps me interested in the set and it sets the narrative for the mood of the music.
"Cyril" is one they released this year that slows down the set and turns it into a tissue fest but then the band flips a switch and goes into songs like "Little Pistol" and it is right into party mode. They played the song called "Cold Day In Mississippi", although the recorded version contained a different tone. The guitar tone sounded different to me.
Bill Taylor and the Appalachian Heatherns is the band that Anna formerly played for and that was her last performance with them as she went with the Creekers. They played their own songs like my favorite one called "Electric Sunshine" which was released a few years ago as a a single.
This band was a really good on stage live but they only have singles and one smaller EP out, and it was harder to research them like I could the others. The original songs are really good and I enjoyed the song "Blue Side Of The Mountain" and others.
Many of these bands that are just starting out have so many rag tag songs all over and many of them are amazing in their own right. You have to do some rabbit hole searching to find these recordings many times but when you do, you will be glad you did.
They played two more original songs on this set one was called "Strength" and the other was called "Mountain Soul". I took many breaks during the middle sets to make sure I got everything to do the article with. The next band on the list was Tim Goodin, who has played this festival before.
His music is truly amazing and I have been a fan of his for many years because of his songs like "Son Of Appalachia", but my favorite song is "Sad Bird Still Sings" from the album of that same name. The other songs they did that I got to see were "Hard Times" and "Long Time Gone".
Courtney Patton is one that Dustin has been inviting every year and it did just not work out until this year. She came out many times and played with a bunch of artists this weekend. She is soo super nice, and she is another one that sometimes gets lumped in with Red Dirt people, even though she really isn't. Do I enjoy them both? Yes.. I Absolutely LOVE her music.
I talked about her above and I did watch her play "Welcome Table" , let's get into my "Rollin Stolen" buddy Addison Johnson who also has been at this festival for many years. His songs are just amazing and he and Ian Noe are two of my favorite songwriters around now. That is because of songs like "Highway and High Way too long". That is a 100% top notch well written song.
The next three songs were from his album called "Dangerous Men". Those songs were "Waitin On The World To End", which is a good anti political song about living a quiet private life. "Country Inn" was another song he did from that album and the last one I took note of was the waltz song called "Out Of Control". As an addict, this song speaks to me.
He is one of the ones that I just do not get out to see as often as I would like to and this festival is the perfect opportunity to see him in and more in a group setting. In the next portion of this article I am going to tag and talk about many people I have old old ties with, and how we have them.
Justin Wells was one that I used to write about back in the day with a band called Fifth On The Floor. He since has went solo many years ago. And just through going to shows and festivals all over the country through the years I met some of the people that work for Jusitn now. I do not think anybody will mind if I mention old classic music that new fans may not know about and those albums are hard to find now.
He has a fellow named W.D. Miller playing with him and I remembered him from his doing solo sets at Muddy Roots and also he played the Heart and Hands benefit one year. We ran across one another at the Southgate House once or twice. He has a live album called "Live from the Ghost Motel".
His first two songs were from the album "The United State" and I was happy, because I missed that tour of his for that period when "Cynthiana" didn't exist yet. The first two songs of his that I took notes of were "It'll all Work Out" and another called "Temporary Blue". The studio version of the song had Abby Hamilton on it but it sounds good live. He also did "Walls Fall Down".
As far as I am concerned about independent music and music overall, for all genres, his 2016 album "Dawn in the Distance" is one of my favorite TOP 50 of all time. I absolutely love the album from song to song like Master Of Puppets. "Going Down Grinnin'" and "The Dogs" are classic anthems that speak to my soul.
His new album Cynthiana was created to bring us as fans a little closer to who he is as a person and where he is from. Who does he love, what's his deal? This new album answers many of those. "Queen Of Queens" and "Sad, Tomorrow"
Rob Leines man, to see him onstage is a blast. I have not yet had the opportunity to see him yet but right now he is touring for his third album called "Head case" which retained a few of his set list songs here like "Double Wide" which begins with a signature riff and tone that is unmistakably his.
His second album is where I found him and that one is called "Blood Sweat and Beers", and it has the songs called "Saturday Night" and another one called "Bailin' Hay". This band just absolutely destroyed the place right up until the next two last acts.
Taylor Hunnicutt has been featured on here many times and every time she has grown in popularity on her own accord with songs like "Taking it Back to the Country", her first full album, she does have one EP that is from 2018 however I did not recognize any songs from it.
The songs I took note of were from her album called "Alabama Sound" like her rabble rousing "Saw Blade Hill" about selling moonshine. One of my favorite songs from the album was called "Trail Of A Broken Heart" , at first I thought this was a cover song for some reason? My point is that she writes with some dynamite people on the block here in Nashville.
She also played a slower doomy song called "Undone" about detoxing and being an addict, which spoke to me quite vividly. I am a pill head. I am sober 5 years but if I am using...I am an absolute monster. That is a choice. You do not deserve to meet the monster inside of me.
"I'm in it for the Pain" is a slower ballad type song she wrote with Brett McDaniels another name that I have heard mentioned a lot around town here. The last band of the weekend was Them Dirty Roses. They played "Candle in the Dark" from their new album.
Now, their 2017 first album? is another classic banger to me, which gave us songs like "Grew up in the Country". They also played "Molly" from that album .
