Eventually, it was going to happen.

Three brothers, all with vastly different music backgrounds, would end up in the same band, aptly named the Lewis Brothers. Russell P., Richard, and Jeff Lewis, combined with percussionist Dennis Foreman, form an exciting arrangement of eclectic and electric folk, rock, country, and general hillbillery. Songwriting duties are traded as often as they swap instruments on stage.

Jeff, formerly of the bluegrass outfit Big Scioto, brings a keen sense of melody and instrumentation. Richard, frontman of the now-defunct pop band Schooley Station, weaves thick harmonies and solid rhythm. Russell, in his first formal group, contributes traditional banjo with an unorthodox twist. The brothers' captivating energy is fueled by Foreman (formerly of Jakob Freely), who's background in world rhythms is applied to a drum kit nicely.

Call it punk-a-billy with traditional instruments. Call it supercharged folk rock. At any rate, call it fun.

Multi-instrumentalist Matt Flinner has made a career out of playing acoustic music in new ways. Starting out as a banjo prodigy who was playing bluegrass festivals before he entered his teens, Flinner later took up the mandolin, won the banjo contest at Winfield Kansas in 1990, and took the mandolin award there the following year. Flinner’s decision to focus on eight-stringed instruments, especially the mandolin, was primarily a function of opportunity.

Dozens of Dollars String Band is working from some serious cross pollination. The band member's resumes include bands like Danny Flanigan and the Rainchorus, Starbilly, Rabbit Manor, Domani, Union Tree, Cloigheann, New Horizon, Louisville Mandolin Orchestra and Daddy's Car.

Philip Wakeman singing lead vocals and playing mando, fiddle & guitar. Mark Rosenthal singing lead vocals and playing guitar. John Bajandas singing backing vocals and playing the Doghouse bass. Phil Wakeman singing backing vocals and playing banjo, mando, fiddle and guitar.

Young singer/songwriters are popping up across the country to join the burgeoning folk movement led by the likes of Sufjan Stevens and M. Ward, but what if two of those songwriters teamed up and led a progressive bluegrass band? You’d have the Farewell Drifters – part folk, part bluegrass – heavy on vocal harmony and intricate arrangements. Zach Bevill (guitar, lead vocals) and Joshua Britt (mandolin, vocals) write eclectic folk songs unbound by tradition, yet invariably influenced by it. Add the rest of the Drifters – Clayton Britt (lead guitar), Christian Sedelmyer (fiddle), and Dean Marold (upright bass) –and you have a delightful synthesis of folk pop and traditional string band music that appeals to a wide range of listeners.

Storefront Congregation is a Louisville-based band known for their tight harmonies, fast picking, smooth sounds, and gritty rhythms. They pull inspiration from all types of music. Both standards and original material blend in a unique sound to satisfy any musical appetite.