The 2019 Music Series Artists 

The 2019 lineup of performing artists for the Muncie Three Trails Music Series has been announced! We are honored, pleased and humbled to be presenting these fine artists and groups for your enjoyment. Please feel free to explore their music and we look forward to seeing you at four great concerts!

Saturday July 20th, 2019 7:00pm - at Canan Commons

with special guest opener Bashville Boys

The world tends to look at accomplishments in the form of accolades and, although only in his mid-30’s, Michael Cleveland, a 2018 GRAMMY Nominee for Best Bluegrass Album, “Fiddler’s Dream,” has plenty to his credit. “He plays fearless and it’s intoxicating to play with him because he makes you play fearless,” says Country Music Hall of Famer Vince Gill. “He takes no prisoners but he plays with a restraint and a soul. He plays without abandon.” Clearly, the IBMA agrees as he’s their most awarded Fiddle Player of the Year with 11 wins (including 2018), has won Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year six times, and fronts Flamekeeper, the 5-Time Instrumental Group of the Year. Cleveland is also a 2018 Inductee to the National Fiddler Hall of Fame.

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Saturday August 24th, 2019 7:00pm at Canan Commons

with special guest openers Chad Nordhoff and New Roundabout

Presented by The Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County

Whether he’s squeezing out the deepest blues or playing the funkiest soul grooves, legendary blues and soul giant Tommy Castro knows how to ignite a crowd. Over the course of his still-unfolding career, the guitarist, vocalist and songwriter has released 15 albums ranging from horn-fueled soul and R&B to piping hot blues to fiery rock ‘n’ roll. He’s performed all over the world, earning countless fans with his legendary, sweat-drenched, exhilarating live shows. Castro’s band, The Painkillers—bassist Randy McDonald, drummer Bowen Brown, and keyboardist Michael Emerson—have now been playing together over four years. After hundreds of live shows, they have coalesced into one of the telepathically tightest units Castro has ever assembled, making them one of the most in-demand live roots music acts performing today.

Saturday August 3rd, 2019 7:00pm at Canan Commons

with special guest opener The Walking Catfish

Known for his highly resonant voice and vintage-inspired sound that nods to '40s R&B and '50s rock & roll, JD McPherson has cut a distinctive path on the roots and Americana scenes. McPherson initially broke through with his propulsive 2010 single ‘North Side Gal’ off his debut “Signs and Signifiers”. Pairing with bassist/producer Jimmy Sutton, he quickly built a rabid following, and drew critical praise for his soulful analog aesthetic, including an Independent Music Award in 2012 for Best Roots Album. Subsequent albums, like 2015's “Let the Good Times Roll” and 2017's ”Undivided Heart and Soul,” continued to find McPherson building upon his old-school passions while showcasing ever-more stylistically adventurous collaborations with contemporaries like Lucius, Dan Auerbach, and Nicole Atkins.

Friday September 27th, 2017 7:00pm at Canan Commons

with special guest Ball State University Jazz Ensemble

Presented by Ball State University

Lost Bayou Ramblers was formed in 1999 by brothers Andre and Louis Michot, performing the roots Cajun music they learned as members of Les Frères Michot, the family band their father and uncles formed in the 80's. The brothers quickly began playing clubs and festivals around Louisiana, taking the traditional music they were raised with to new levels of rhythmic energy and spontaneity, which produced the punk and psychedelic labels given to the band by reviews over the years. The current LBR line-up is still headed by Louis Michot (fiddle and lead vocals) and Andre Michot (accordion and lapsteel), joined by Bryan Webre (electric bass), Johnny Campos (electric guitar), Eric Heigle (electronics and acoustic guitar), and Kirkland Middleton (drums).

The 2018 Music Series Artists

The 2016 Music Series Artists

The 2017 Music Series Artists

The 2015 Music Series Artists

The 2014 Music Series Artists

The 2013 Music Series Artists