Front Porch Concert Series June 20th Performer Bios

Feature Porch Performers

CRYIN’ OUT LOUD: This rock blues band stands on the shoulders of musical greats like Albert King, Eric Clapton, J. Giels, Tommy Castro, Walter Trout, Rare Earth, Joe Bonamassa, Steppenwolf, and Muddy Waters. The heart and soul of the blues lends itself to an exciting freedom that makes every Cryin’ Out Loud performance an original experience. Lead guitarist and vocalist Eric Barkdull, drummer Mike Jessup, bassist Bob Stulka, saxophonist Eric Snyder, organist Robert Shipley, and rhythm guitarist and vocalist Dave Wilkes bring classic rock and blues to life on the live stage.

SIDE EFFECTS: Duo Side Effects consists of Kevin Mishey and Rick Keaton, been together since 2019.Influences are Marshall Tucker Band, George Strait, The Beatles, Byrds, Allman Brothers and Dwight Yokam, we have at least 50yrs of live performances for each of us.We are blessed to be able to perform to this day! Our main purpose to hopefully please the people that come and hear us for without them it’s just noise! We love getting them involved!

NEW MOTHER NATURE: New Mother Nature is here and we’re taking over - succumb to the sounds! NMN is an eclectic alternative rock band with a comfy jam and energizing groove. The four central Ohio band members of NMN started playing together in October of 2024 and have been producing great vibes on stages in the area ever since. Lead vocalists/songwriters Jess Crook-Collins and Haley Blasing lead the band in a growing list of originals, with the support of Luka Brkljacic on bass and Maddy Lambrix on drums. The band's covers include Grateful Dead, The Rolling Stones, Nirvana, Eilen Jewell, and other artists from a slew of genres - all songs point to fun live performances and improvisations!

CGEMD: CGEmD is an American Country Music Band from Gambier, Ohio consisting of Chris Gantt and Emily (Durbin) Remillard. While normally configured as a guitar playing/singing duet, it's an absolute party when CGEmD teams up with talented local musicians from surrounding Knox County to form a three, four, or five piece band. Fiddles, drums, lead guitar, and mandolins find their way on stages with CGEmD to perform a variety of songs from classic rock, to country, to their very own originals. No matter what configuration you find them in on stage, CGEmD is sure to delight your ears with a heartfelt and warm sound as they enjoy performing for you.

PINTO: 3 piece rock band, 2 members in Columbus and 1 living on e chestnut in the heart of Mount Vernon. We play jangly rock with a hint of country, We can play full electric with a drum kit and amps or stripped down with acoustic guitar and snare. We typically play at venues in the Columbus area and would love to play up in Mount Vernon!

FERAL HOUSECATS: Feral Housecats are a non-stop Garage-a-billy Rock n' Roll Machine from Columbus, Ohio. No duckface, no fake gang signs, no AI art. Just twanging bars, blistering solos, and a few diddly-doos.

Steve Baxter and Sam Stephenson: Steve and Sam bring acoustic sound that is full and fun made up of country, bluegrass and southern rock.

Boone Girls: Boone Girls, sisters Quincey (21) and Marley (18), have been playing guitar and singing for 11 years! They enjoy singing some of their favorite songs adding their own sound and harmonies. This is their second year playing for the Front Porch Concert Series, but they have also enjoyed playing at local restaurants, wineries, open mic nights, events, and campfires! Quincey is a graduate of Danville High School and is now working at Nationwide Children’s Hospital while in nursing school. Marley graduated Danville High School this May. They both enjoy riding horses, camping, outdoor activities and teaching their little sister Willow (7) to sing. They want to thank everyone who has encouraged them and supported their musical journey.

John Vining: John has been a professional performer for five decades appearing throughout the us in Opera and Music theater. He has appeared at Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, Merry Mount theater NYC With the Santa Fe Opera, Chicago Opera, Pittsburg Opera, Cleveland Opera, Opera Grand Rapids, Opera Memphis, Eugene Opera and In numerous Off Broadway productions. With His late wife Linda they performed programs of original songs throughout the east and Midwest as The Vinings often through Columbia Artists community concerts. His Billy Joel show has been performed many times at Stein Brewery and for the Hartzel propeller company, The Boeing Aircraft company The US Airforce, and many other Air Show venues. Critics have hailed his beautiful voice and thoughtful interpretations.

Chris Gill: Chris Gill grew up in Southeastern Ohio and went to Ohio University in Athens. Chris has resided in the Newark area for over 40 years at this point. He is self-employed as a Registered Investment Representative. He enjoys the outdoors camping, hunting, fishing, shooting and playing music. He has played primarily around the Newark and Buckeye Lake area with a few others scattered in. Chris primarily plays Clubs, Breweries and Wineries as well as private parties with a few Weddings thrown in as his taste in music is a little laid back, but can be more aggressive as needed. He plays a wide variety from James Taylor and Elton John to Zac Brown, Bill Childers and the Allman Brothers. For bookings: 749-322- 9686/cgill01@windstream.net 

Songwriter Porch Performers

Slight Halo: A shape-shifting group of locals always cooking up something new. With a focus on tone, touch and lyricism, Slight Halo is living their truth and coming to a stoop near you.

SARAH GOSLEE REED: Sarah grew up with music. Her father played the bassoon and her mother played the cello and string bass, and she fell in love with the folk music of the sixties and the Beatles. Based on her knowledge of the violin, she taught herself to play guitar and learned songs by listening to records. A professional microbiologist, songwriting is as much of a passion as singing. Several songs have received awards, been arranged for choirs and orchestrated as instrumentals.

Joe Irrera: I am a singer songwriter who has been living, writing and performing in the Nashville area for several decades. I am originally from a small town in upstate New York, near Woodstock (of the famous music festival). After high school, I moved to Boston to attend Berklee College of Music. I graduated with a degree in Composition and remained in that area performing with local bands for over a decade. I then moved to Nashville to focus on full-time songwriting. As fate (the music industry) would have it, I ended up helping mix a record for a then unknown band: The Kentucky Headhunters, who were subsequently signed to Mercury Records and went on to win a Grammy for the record. I ended up on the road with them for five years as Front-of-House engineer and later, Production Manager. As exciting as this time was, it distracted me from the work that I love the most... Writing songs and performing them for an audience. I've since rededicated my energy to exactly that and I've never felt more fulfilled. I hope you will consider me for your concert series!

Emerging Artist Porch Performers

Jaidyn and Jim Hawkins: Jaidyn is a 17 year old singer from Mount Vernon, Ohio. she participates in singing activities with her grandfather, Jim Hawkins, in bands such as Chestnut Ridge and TaVaci School of Performing Arts. Jaidyn has been singing since her early childhood. She one day hopes to become a Pediatric Nurse, but for now she sticks with singing.

Aine McCardel: Aine will be a senior attending Danville High School in the fall where she is involved in multiple music programs. She enjoys singing and perfoming at public events and acting in theater plays and musicals. One of her favorite performances she's done was for Danville's Got Talent in November 2024. Her top musical influences are Alec Benjamin and Lewis Capaldi. Aine plans to develop her talents to become a singer/songwriter.

Hunter Powelson: Hunter Powelson 14year old boy trying to inspire kids younger to chase there dreams.

Maria Flecther: Maria's dream is to sing to the world and make people happy with her voice! She has performed at the Wiggin Street Talent Show for three years and looks forward to more singing opportunities in the near future. When she sings, she feels a powerful range of emotions run through her body in a way that is hard to describe. In her spare time, she enjoys drawing and golfing with her dad. She is also a life long lover of animals and adores all of her pets. Maria will be going into middle school in the fall in Mt. Vernon.

Karma Carpenter: Karma has been a part of music her whole life. She has done a number of productions with MVHS and MTVarts, her favorites being Ursula in The Little Mermaid, Gaston in The Beauty and the Beast and Marmee in Little Woman. Along with theatrical performances, she has also performed in MVHS forum for 3 years. She will be attending OSU Newark in the fall to major in Radiological Sciences, and to continue her passion for singing and acting. Karma is so grateful for this opportunity and hopes you enjoy her passion!