only $15

Bring the Fourth of July to a close with the big, brassy New Orleans-style parade music of the New Line Brass band. Based on the tradition of Olympia, Treme, and the Dirty Dozen, The New Line Brass Band combines the talent and experience of the members of the Dixie Power Trio* with one of Washington/Baltimore’s finest horn lines. Blending a mixture of traditional brass band standards, spirituals, zydeco, and original compositions, the group plays music with a loose vibe and a funky groove. The result is raw, fun, and full of energy!

*Look for the Dixie Power Trio on the Mainstay float in the Rock Hall 4th of July parade!

New Line Brass Band website
Listen to the New Line Brass Band - click here then scroll down to the Bad Spuds album and click on the notes

only $10

Celebrate midsummer by dancing the night away at the Mainstay. In memory of Ann Hennessy, we will once again roll up the carpets and transform the Mainstay to a ballroom Rock Hall style. Cut the rug doing the Lindy Hop, Jitterbug or a stately waltz. Be as formal or informal as you want. Wallflowers are welcome to come listen and watch the dancers. Music by Sam’s Jazzy Swing Band.

only $15

The diverse cultures, rich traditions and colorful history of the American Southwest are celebrated in song and story by this exciting duo from Tucson Arizona. Teodoro “Ted” Ramirez started the band in the late 1980s to help celebrate and present an authentic view of the Southwest. Ted is an 8th-generation Arizonan, and observed that many important contributions made by Indigenous people, Mexicans, Asians and some European people were little known to the public at large. He sought to make the Santa Cruz River Band a cultural bridge that would span the obvious gaps using authentic music, poetry, oral history, stories and legends from the American Southwest. He is joined in this effort by Michael J. Ronstadt, who is a 4th-generation Arizonan. His family came from Germany and settled in the Southwest in the mid 1800’s. Michael is the brother of pop star Linda Ronstadt and has appeared on her albums. Both are powerful singers, gifted songwriters and dazzling multi-instrumentalists.

The Santa Cruz River Band’s website
Video of the Santa Cruz River Band at the Kennedy Center
Listen to the Santa Cruz River Band

only free

What better way to kick off a series of three free concerts in Oyster Court than with Banjo Man and Bill with Tom Anthony. They are a local tradition with Mainstay founder Tom McHugh on banjo, blues harp, vocals and kazoo, Bill Matthews on vocals and guitar, and Tom Anthony on the upright bass. Their music is a blend of old jazz, blues, a sprinkling of folk classics and kitchen sink. These old friends have been playing together for nearly fifteen years. You’ll sing along, tap your feet, and maybe grab a partner for a dance or two. Bring a lawn chair and sit back and enjoy the music. “Music at Oyster Court” is sponsored by the Rock Hall Business Association, The Kent County Arts Council, The Mainstay, The Shops at Oyster Court and the Main Street Merchants. In case of rain, the concert will move indoors to the Mainstay.

only $15

It’s a beach party at the Mainstay! and it’s sponsored by everyone’s favorite tropical apparel store and our very good neighbor: Smilin’ Jakes. Take a group of veteran musicians from the Baltimore area who have been performing up and down the East coast for a decade and who sometimes perform as the Charles Parker Band, add some flowered shirts, a few beach tunes and you have the Beach Bumz, the ultimate Tribute Band performing the music of such artists such as Jimmy Buffett, The Beach Boys and Bob Marley.

Listen to the Beach Bumz

only free

The second in a series of three free Saturday night “Music at Oyster Court” concerts features The Melton Brothers who play a delicious blend of groove swing, R&B, country blues and roots rock. Dale and Dennis Melton first hit their stride in the Philadelphia area in the 70s and have been hitting the groove ever since. Their show is a musical conversation, delivering their own songs and stunning interpretations with rhythms and harmonies so tight these guys seem like one soul. “Music at Oyster Court” is a series of three free concerts on Saturday evenings in the open space behind the Mainstay in Rock Hall. Bring a lawn chair and sit back and enjoy the music. “Music at Oyster Court” is sponsored by the Rock Hall Business Association, The Kent County Arts Council, The Mainstay, The Shops at Oyster Court and the Main Street Merchants. In case of rain, the concert will move indoors to the Mainstay.

The Melton Brothers website

only $15

The Folk Arts Quartet plays “ChamberGrass” combining high energy folk fiddle styles from the fiddle world with the arts heritage of the classical string quartet. The young members of the FAQ met while studying at the Berklee College of Music – they just graduated. All are classically trained and have backgrounds in folk fiddle styles from Scotland, Canada, and the United States. They arrange traditional tunes and original compositions blending what they’ve learned from Classical string quartet pieces with the styles and embellishments of a folk fiddle band. With the addition of the occasional beautiful song or energetic step dance, their groove filled, contemporary style nods to their many influences and breathes new life into both folk and chamber music.

The Folk Arts Quartet website

only $15

Keith Greeninger paints intricate portraits of the human condition with powerful melodic images, deep, engaging guitar rhythms and warm heart-wrenching vocals. He is a multi-award winning singer and songwriter: a winner of the prestigious Telluride Troubadour National Song Writing Competition, the Napa Valley Songwriting Competition and a Kerrville New Folk Finalist. His husky heart-felt vocals and aggressive acoustic guitar style take him beyond the realm of the everyday folksinger and his music offers more musicality and sensitivity than today’s average rock band. Keith will be joined by multi-instrumentalist Dayan Kai on Guitar, Dobro, Mandolin, Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, and harmony.

Keith Greeninger’s website
Listen to Keith Greeninger

only $15

Where better to celebrate Sue Matthew’s new recording Live at the Mainstay? Sue’s voice has been described as silky smooth, smokey and passionate. Her articulation and phrasing are perfect and clear and she sings with a refreshing straight-forwardness and seeming simplicity that make the lyrics come alive with emotion. Her delivery has been described as “intimate, flawless, and smooth”. The new recording is a collection of standards brilliantly sung and accompanied. She is joined on the CD and for this concert by two phenomenal guitarists: Gene Bertoncini and Steve Abshire. Join us as we congratulate a fabulous artist on her terrific new release.

Sue Matthew’s website
Gene Bertoncini’s website
Steve Abshire’s website

only free

Bitter Creek is a bluegrass band based on the Eastern Shore with members from Easton, Denton, and Millington. Their music ranges from the traditional - like the Stanley Brothers “How Mountain Girls Can Love” to “Eastbound and Down” from the Smokey and the Bandit movie, to “Caravan”, a Duke Ellington tune, as well as assorted banjo and fiddle tunes and songs. Band members are Dick Woodard on banjo, vocals, guitar, Lex Price on bass and vocals, Ed Finkner on guitar and vocals and Jon Simmons on fiddle, mandolin and vocals. Bring a lawn chair and sit back and enjoy the music. “Music at Oyster Court” is sponsored by the Rock Hall Business Association, The Kent County Arts Council, The Mainstay, The Shops at Oyster Court and the Main Street Merchants. In case of rain, the concert will move indoors to the Mainstay.

Bitter Creek’s website