MUTUAL – Madden Road Music Fest is set to take place on Saturday, August 13 on the old Madden Farm in Mutual. Hours are 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Madden Farm has been in the same family for seven generations and serves as the venue for the family’s micro music festival, held annually in August.
Musicians from Springfield, Columbus, Dayton, Zanesfield, and Florida will take the stage with a mix of indie, folk, gospel, and Americana roots music. Local singer-songwriter Daniel Dye hosts the festival along with his nieces and nephews, Andrew, Thomas, Carrie and Emilie Miller, who play throughout the region as the Miller Road Band. The band features Dye’s original tunes using a mix of classical and folk instruments. Daniel Dye & the Miller Road Band take the stage for an 8 p.m. performance.
“We call our festival a ‘micro music fest’ says Dye, “It takes place on just one day, but we pack a lot of great music in the hours we have together.”
Highlights include a headlining performance by Columbus-based band Hebdo, whose “Adventure Folk” style evokes the troubadours and train-hoppers from a century ago. Hebdo’s music is in heavy rotation on local radio CD102.5.
Master folk musician and composer Bob Lucas returns to the festival with the Hedgehog String Band, whose harmonies and virtuoso musicianship have played to audiences across the country. Lucas will lead a folk workshop this year in addition to his set.
The 2016 festival features a roster packed with family bands. The Willow Wacks, a husband-wife band, are making a stop in Ohio on their current tour. New to Madden Road Music Fest, the Willow Wacks have shared stage with acts such as Shawn Colvin and the Blind Boys of Alabama. Festival favorite, the Kurtz sisters are returning to the stage, along with Jill & Micah, fresh off the release of their new album “Slowly But Surely” on Poptek Records.
Dayton-based Folk/Americana duo Sweet Betsy create a raw, powerful sound with the guitar and mandolin in a stripped down style reminiscent of old-time family groups such as The Carters. Veteran performer Zach Whitney, a mainstay of the Columbus music scene, will bring his high-energy style to the campfire show slated toward the festival’s close.
A few pop-up acoustic performances from the extended Dye family will take place as well as an expanded lineup of interactive workshops, new this year. Basic folk dancing, a banjo workshop with musician Paul Race, and more are scheduled. Walking trails on the farm, singing around the campfire, and painting a communal mural to commemorate the 2016 event are all part of the Madden Road Music Fest.
Local favorites Hemisphere Coffee Roasters, Oakview Farm Meats, Cosmic Charlie Pizza, and Madden Farm will all be providing fresh, locally-sourced food for festival-goers.
Day passes are $10 for adults, $5 for kids 6 to 16 (5 and under free), maximum $25 per family. Tickets can be purchased online or at the festival. On-site parking is available. For more information or to purchase tickets call 937-244-6481 or go to www.maddenroadmusic.com
