The John Hartford Memorial Festival, “The Most Laid-Back Festival in America”, is completely tickled to announce our final line-up along with the kick-off of our John Hartford Band contest and Songwriter’s Challenge. We will begin accepting entries on January 1, 2019. Win cash, booking opportunities, and perform on the Hartford Stage, a.k.a. The House That Bill Monroe Built! Visit the website to read interviews and hear music from past winners, and learn all about “The Most Laid Back Festival in America”.

Revered guitarist/vocalist, JD SIMO, announces “You Need Love” from his upcoming, first solo record, OFF AT 11, due out March 1, 2019. The Chicago-born, Nashville-based recording artist channels classic sounds from Acid rock, traditional blues, folk, soul, to free form jazz, reinvigorating them into a kaleidoscope of sound for a new generation of music lovers. NPR declares, “SIMO sounds as if it comes to us straight from 1968.”

The 9th Annual John Hartford Memorial Festival Songwriter's Challenge will begin accepting entries Jan 1, and will accept up to 35 entries through midnight, March 31st, 2019. Held at the Bill Monroe Music and Camping Park in beautiful Bean Blossom, IN, May 29th-June 1st, the 9th Annual John Hartford Memorial Festival is genre busting, family friendly event honoring the life and legacy of the late John Hartford, one of America’s most beloved and ground-breaking musicians.

Fans may be rejoicing that there are four more nights left to go this weekend for the all-star group billed as "Oteil and Friends,” who made their debut performance last night at Port Chester’s The Capitol Theatre.