BANDS
Local old-time band – 12 pm
Rio Neon – 1 pm
www.rioneonband.com 
Rio Neon does Folkjazz, with complex vocal harmonies and five-piece string instrumentation combining the best elements of swing, traditional folk music, and jazz. A typical set includes standards from the golden era of swing, such as Chicken, and Chatanooga Choo Choo to love ballads like Georgia On My Mind to original pieces that are bluesy and highly emotional. The tunes feature tight harmonies and unique vocal arrangements with fiddle, guitar, mandolin and bass. With repertoire influences from Lambert, Hendrix, and Ross, Celtic traditions, old jazz and swing, old-timey tunes, tin pan alley, blues, and other styles, Rio Neon's shows are unique, full of fun, and have something that will appeal to everyone! Reo Neon consists of Sally Kandel, Red Michel, Roger Phillips, John Reynolds, & Bob Smith.
Knock-Knock Hoosier String Band – 2 pm
www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_K1k5GDv2w&feature=related
The Knock-Knock Hoosier String Band was assembled in 1994 to perform old-time music at an arts and crafts festival in northern Indiana. Ever since that historic weekend, compelled by forces mysterious as the swallows’ return to San Juan Capistrano or the buzzards’ return to Hinkley, the Knock-Knock Hoosiers have faithfully returned each succeeding August to that very same festival, to gather and perform yet again. Two of the “Hoosiers”—Fred Campeau (fiddle) and Steve Rosen (banjo)—arrive from Chicago, Illinois and the other two—Beth Braden (guitar) and Lynn Frederick (mandolin)—travel from Brady Lake, Ohio. Despite meeting only once a year, the Hoosiers have become quite adept at preparing the avocado dip they consume between sets, and also have developed a considerable musical repertoire over the years. The Knock-Knock Hoosiers’ appearance at this year’s Raccoon County Music Festival is a rarity, being only the second Hoosier performance outside Indiana.
Among other musical endeavors, Fred and Steve are half of Chicago’s powerful The Combine string band, and were Volo Bogtrotters during that band’s existence (some may remember the Volo Bogtrotters’ performance at the Kent State Folk Festival several years ago). Beth and Lynn have performed with The Fullertones, Doris and the Twinkies (seen at the 2006 Raccoon County Festival), The Red Mules and the Rhythm Gorillas. [true life side note: Lynn is an actual born Indiana Hoosier, and he stole the “Knock-Knock Hoosier” name from Kerry Blech, who conjured it up for an early incarnation of the Rhythm Gorillas]
The Alan Greene Band – 3 pm
www.alangreeneband.com
The Alan Greene Band is made up of the Who’s Who of Cleveland Blues. When they plug in, rear back, and let it go, the mermaids pause their singing, for The Alan Greene Band testifies. The Alan Greene Band has been playing all over NE Ohio for many years. Their repertoire is vast and dynamic, ranging from early electric Chicago blues to modern rock. Alan Greene on vocals and lead guitar; ‘Slap’ Daubin on bass; Mr. Stress on harmonica, and Rob Luoma on drums - with a special guest appearance by Anthony “Fingers” Papaleo, from Fowler’s Mill, Munson Township, Geauga County.
The Kilroys - 4 pm
www.the-harp.com
The Kilroys have been playing traditional Irish music in the city of Cleveland and throughout the Midwest for the past 25 years. Instruments are accordian, fiddle, banjo, guitar, bouzuki, bagpipes, ulliean pipes. They are a group of veteran musicians who have played at some of the larger venues in town like The Odeon and The House of Blues as well as the smaller venues like restaurant/concert type environments where people can talk, eat, and listen to good music.
The Kilroys are a group of 5 brothers and 2 sisters with ages ranging from 26-40. In the early years, their musical endeavors involved experimenting with drums and electric guitars incorporated into traditional Irish music. At the time, this was a fairly new concept, at least in the Cleveland area, and it was quite well received as very few bands did this. Over the past 10 years, though, the thirst for pure traditional music has sculpted the group’s sound into what it is today – traditional Irish music which can be enjoyed and shared with all age groups, young and old.
The siblings get together regularly for “sessions” or performances, notably at The Harp, an Irish pub on the Cleveland’s near west side. This family is the real deal. You could be sitting at Gus O’Connor’s Pub in the Doolin, Ireland on the Atlantic coast or sitting at The Harp in Cleveland, OH on the “north coast” and if you closed your eyes you might not know the difference.
Dan Garrett & Limited Edition - 5 pm
www.limitededitionbluegrass.com
Dan Garrett & Limited Edition is a hot bluegrass band hailing from Warren, OH. Band members include Dan Garrett – vocals & banjo; Dave Garrett – mandolin & guitar; and Jim Meadows – bass. Limited Edition plays a highly regarded style of bluegrass and sings gospel in tight, rich harmonies. Limited Edition plays regionally at all sorts of events and has recorded 9 albums.
WORKSHOPS (workshops take place in the old church)
2 pm: Anthony Papaleo - Guitar Workshop
Anthony P. is a young Geauga County native who plays many styles of guitar. Anthony will demostrate these styles in a workshop/performance in the old church.
4 pm: Sacred Harp Singers
The sacred harp singers are back by popular demand. There couldn't be a better setting than the old church for this style of spiritual singing.
5 pm: Hiram Rapids Stumblers - Old-time String Band - www.myspace.com/thehiramrapidsstumblers
The Hiram Rapids Stumblers are a local old-time string band from around the Hiram area. They play hard driving old-time classics. They will be performing in the church too.
SQUARE DANCE
6:30 pm Maple Hills Rounders with caller Lynn Frederick
The Maple Hill Rounders will be the square dance band for the evening, and Lynn Frederick will call the dance.
The Maple Hill Rounders are a local old-time and bluegrass string band originally from Maple Hill on Butternut Road in Munson Township, Geauga County, Ohio. The group consists of four of the Haas family siblings and other rotating members. The Maple Hill Rounders are a true example of a family where traditional American music is passed on from generation to generation through the oral tradition – brothers taught sister, who taught brother-in-law, who taught nephews, etc. The band was highly involved in past Raccoon County Music Festivals, and it is always a treat to have them back to play for the festival square dance.
Lynn Frederick hails from Brady Lake, OH, near Kent, and has called dances from here to who knows where, including the National Folk Festival, but you may remember him as the caller for the Kent Community Square Dance, which served as a regional square dance oasis from 1981 until the close of the millennium. Lynn is also a member of The Fullertones, an old-time stringband based in Brady Lake, OH, near Kent.