Since forming in northeast Minneapolis in 2006, The High 48s have been making music that combines the soulful sound of classic bluegrass with a modern attitude. They’re a band with one foot in tradition and the other in the world of music today, and one of the very few who can find an overlooked bluegrass classic in a song by M. Ward or the Clash then throw down hard on a standard by Bill Monroe. The High 48s are also a band of songwriters. Here, too, they take a modern approach, heeding the well-worn advice to writers: write what you know. Their songs ring true to their lives as northern city-folk rather than an imagined “sweet, sunny south” of coal mines and dark hollers. In addition to keeping up a busy performing schedule, the High 48s are passionate about music education and in demand as instructors, teaching one-on-one, online and in workshops and jam camps around the country, including their now twice-yearly bluegrass jam camp for kids, Grass Seeds Academy. Learn More: https://www.rjac.org/event/high-on-stress-2025/ Follow On Facebook!

ABBAulous is comprised of two dynamic divas, Mary Lieser and Dianna Parks, on lead vocals along with incredibly talented musicians who cover a variety of instruments to recreate the complex and layered recordings of ABBA Gold. They are: Chase Kelly on keys; Dave Kies on drums; John Wheeler on keys, banjo and guitar; Carl Stephenson on lead guitar; Scott Kee on bass; Becca Stiles-Nogosek on backup vocals; Kevin Kleist on acoustic guitar; Kevin McGarry on sax; and Kevin Reid on percussion. You can never get enough Kevins. And you can never get enough ABBA. Dancing Queens bring your disco pants and feather boas and join us for all the great songs from ABBA. Learn More: https://www.rjac.org/.../fabbaulous-abba-tribute-band-2025/ Follow On Facebook!

With roots in the church and a solid foundation of musical education, Joyann Parker found her authentic voice later in life and created her own blend of roots music that combines soul, R&B, gospel, jazz and traditional blues styles. Parker has been a steadily rising star on the Midwest music scene and now brings her full range of talent as an accomplished singer, pianist, guitarist and songwriter to national and international stages. Joyann’s rootsy, genre-blending sequel, “Out of the Dark,” was released on February 12, 2021 and debuted at #11 on the Billboard Blues Chart and #1 on the NACC Radio chart. Joyann’s new album, “Roots” is planned for a June 3, 2023 release. “A singing, songwriting, guitar-playing, self-producing, self-aware powerhouse, but the driving force is unquestionably her voice — a formidable instrument she wields with soul and taste.” - Bliss Bowen/Pasadena Weekly “Joyann Parker knows her way around a song. She climbs inside it, dwells in it, lives with every note and phrase, delivering performances that seize our emotions and capture the ragged despair and heightened joy of life.” - Henry L. Carrigan, Jr./Living Blues Magazine Learn More: https://www.rjac.org/event/joyann-parker-2025/ Follow On Facebook!

CRANKING OUT THE HITS OF THE RECORD PLAYER ERA! LP and the 45s is a classic hits cover band from Rochester, Minnesota. We pay tribute to the pioneers of pop, rock, country, rockabilly, and soul by covering some of their greatest hits – songs by artists such as Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Ray Charles, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and many, many more! Members of LP and the 45s have shared the stage with Paul Revere and the Raiders, Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, Creedence Clearwater Revisited, Head East, The Guess Who, .38 Special, and Jonny Lang. Follow On Facebook!

LAAMAR is the latest project led by Minneapolis-based singer, songwriter, saxophonist, and composer Geoffrey Lamar Wilson. Former frontman of Brooklyn-based Jus Post Bellum, Wilson is also known for his multilayered looped saxophone performances and catchy podcast ditties (Terrible, Thanks for Asking). The band’s debut EP “Flowers” blends Wilson’s idiomatic inspirations bridging folk, soul, R&B, and country with a constant ear toward racial and social justice issues and the shared human experience. “In the EP’s deceptively sweet and warm title track, he relays a memory of his mother ‘lighting candles and putting flowers on the boulevard’ in memory of another dead man of color. In the standout track getting airplay on the Current, “Home to My Baby,” he relays his personal fears of getting pulled over by police,” writes Chris Riemenschneider of the Star Tribune. Recent acclaim for LAAMAR includes debut single “Home to My Baby” being named KAXE’s “Best Song” of 2023 and a nod as one of First Avenue’s Best New Bands. “With Flowers,” writes Malachy Koons of KAXE, “LAAMAR has crafted a stunning debut that does not shy away from difficult topics. The new EP features four instantly catchy songs, with each taking a different approach to issues of racial and social justice.” The band is working with Nat Harvie (Low, Cole Pulice) on their debut full length, to be released in [...]

Sleeping Jesus is an Indie Rock band started by Nick Elstad in Winona, MN. The now five-piece Minneapolis band, featuring Tyler Steinley, Andy Bauer, Seamus St. Clair, and Dante DeGrazia, brings the energy with hazy dream pop, Rock and Roll and Americana music! Follow On Facebook!