(Pony Bradshaw performs at Sugar Maple from 6:15-7:05 p.m. Friday.)

Six days after performing at the 20^th annual Sugar Maple Music Festival in Madison Friday, Aug. 4, Americana star Pony Bradshaw will play for the first time on Nashville’s legendary Ryman Auditorium.

It’s one of many stellar moments during Bradshaw’s yearlong tour to support his acclaimed album, “North Georgia Rounder.” Bradshaw hangs his hat – usually an Atlanta Braves cap, not a cowboy one – on soulful crooning and southern literature influenced lyrics.

Here’s a sampling of a few of his finest lines:

“Oh, we’re shaping little lies
On the tips of our tongues”
“Van Gogh”

“Put me in a ten-by-ten
And let me sit with all my sins”
“10×10”

“Daddy brought me back a bona fide gas mask
All the way home from Desert Storm”
“Safe in the Arms of Vernacular”

“Washed in the blood of the things we kill
Be it time, or man, or that big coal hill”
“Holler Rose”

“She danced a rustic dance, hallelujah on the mountain
Bucking to the rhythm of old Appalachia”
“Foxfire Wine”

“I wiped away the tears like they was flies on the melon”
“Holler Rose”

The 2022 festival is shaping up to be another great weekend of music!

Although Jordan Kroeger (bass) and Ryan Ogburn (mandolin) began their musical relationship in the Wisconsin jamband scene, Chicken Wire Empire began as a 4 piece traditional bluegrass band in Milwaukee, WI.  The band honed its traditional sound, encapsulating it in 2014 with their debut album Chicken Wire Empire.  With half of the group rooted in bluegrass, and the other half steeped in jamband music, a change occurred when CWE performed an Old & In The Way tribute show.  With the addition of Jon Peik (banjo), Ernest Brusubardis IV (fiddle), and Greg Brundage (guitar), a new sound was found in Milwaukee, and Chicken Wire Empire joined the roster of high energy jamgrass.   

Chicken Wire Empire has been blessed with opportunities to share the stage with renowned musicians (Yonder Mountain String Band, 30db, The Travelin’ McCourys, The Big Wu, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades) and performing in many regional festivals (Blue Ox and Boats & Bluegrass).  With support from their local scene, friends, and families, Chicken Wire Empire looks to the future, with a goal to strengthen Wisconsin’s bluegrass scene, and further the appreciation of acoustic music.

We’re thrilled to welcome Chicken Wire Empire to the Sugar Maple Music Festival on Saturday, August 7. Tickets on sale here.

Milwaukee raised but now Nashville based sister duo, SistaStrings, combines their classical background with R&B with a touch of gospel influence that culminates in a vibey, lush sound. With thick string harmonies between violin and cello and soulful voices, SistaStrings takes you on a journey. Formed in 2014 after the sisters graduated from college, Chauntee (violin) moved back from her studies at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and Monique (cello) from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the sisters began doing string arrangements for local artists and the rest is history. Slowly but surely, SistaStrings built a following and began playing more shows with collaboration being one of their strongest points. Their debut project (released summer of 2019) went on to win Album of the Year at Radio Milwaukee Music Awards. The sisters not only write and arrange but find pleasure sitting in with musicians and exploring what sounds come from improvisation and spontaneity.

SistaStrings can often be found playing alongside singer/songwriter Peter Mulvey. They released a collab album winter of 2020 via Righteous Babe Records called Peter Mulvey and SistaStrings Live at the Cafe Carpe. Having been raised in church, SistaStrings began to develop their ear training skills at a very young age. The classical background that the two sisters have had allows them to command their instruments at will. Between the two of them, they have performed in some of the most reputable halls, including Carnegie Hall and in their classical career they have soloed with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and the Madison Symphony Orchestra. SistaStrings has performed with Malik Yusef, opened for Black Violin, Bone Thugs ‘N Harmony, Lupe Fiasco, BJ The Chicago Kid, and The Roots. Outside of playing music venues, SistaStrings goes into schools and conducts assemblies, encouraging young people to pursue the arts and to not be afraid of hard work. Outreach and representation are important to these two young ladies as African American string players. Chauntee and Monique are on staff at the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra and each musician has an independent teaching studio as well. SistaStrings can be found performing in schools and youth centers teaching, performing, and encouraging educators and students alike. The ladies are advocates for diversity in the arts and promote social justice in all that they do