Fresh from the Midwest

Ernie Hendrickson is a singer-songwriter and guitarist whose music blends elements of folk, Americana, and heartland rock, rooted in the storytelling traditions of artists like Tom Petty, John Hiatt, and Todd Snider. Raised in Illinois and shaped by the rich musical landscapes of the Midwest, Ernie has built a reputation as a perceptive lyricist and dynamic performer. His thoughtful songwriting captures both the joys and struggles of everyday life, weaving together humor, wisdom, and heartfelt emotion. With a career spanning multiple albums and collaborations with some of the finest musicians in the industry, Ernie continues to evolve as an artist, bringing an honest and soulful voice to American music. Whether performing solo or backed by a full band, his live shows reflect the depth of his craft, delivering songs that resonate with audiences across generations.

Aaron Kelly was never on American Idol, but did grow up on the edge of the Chicago megalopolis, falling under the influence of John Prine, Townes Van Zandt, and empathy, his songs are carefully crafted and made to last. He’s been featured by American Songwriter Magazine, and released Barefoot and Bottomed Out, his first solo album, in 2016, after zig-zagging across the country for years with Overman. Making up for lost time, Aaron Kelly Band released their debut LP, Songs Still Sing, in 2022, and an adjacent 6-song EP, Letting the Animals Out, on 1/3/24.

Brandon Reisdorf is a songwriter, violinist, and guitar player in Carpentersville, IL. He plays original music with a quartet (Brandon Reisdorf Quartet), and performs regularly with several Chicago-area bands on violin/fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin, and vocals. “I picked up the violin in ’99, and the guitar a year later. Luckily for me, my parents both had great tastes in music, so I grew up with a lot of good stuff around to listen to. I caught the bug and just wanted to do music all the time. Then I went to college to study Music Theory, Composition, and Philosophy. and I was writing all sorts of original music for things like string quartet or chamber orchestra. After experimenting for several years (occasionally atonally) I found myself drawn to that “three chords and the truth” that’s a little easier to find in folk-ier traditions,” Brandon says. “Always open for collaboration – If you have a project you’d like me to work on, reach out!”

Adela is a writer in search of honesty, community, and beauty through her cello-centric songs. Lisa is a powerful folk singer-songwriter with a flavorful hint of humor, Latin rhythm and spice. After a chance encounter at an open mic, the two quickly forged a musical friendship that enhances each other’s strengths. Harmonies weave in and out of stories set up by cello and guitar, beckoning audiences to listen closely.

Mitch Mead is a Chicago-based Singer/Songwriter and a product of the Midwest. He grew up in a world of lakes, highways, and bowling alley bars. At one time his family lived on the grounds of a small-town amusement park in Northern Michigan. He studied playwriting and co-founded a theater company that took him to the big city, where he stole his cousin’s name and started writing songs in earnest. Owing debts to Alt-Country, Greenwich Village Folk, and Modern Indie Rock, Mitch’s songs tell stories, turn phrases, and dabble in a brand of humor that positions tongue firmly within cheek.

Ric Soens has been writing songs, playing guitar, and performing publicly for 35 years. He resides in the countryside of Central Illinois and is a painter, poet, and producer, and will be releasing a new album of music in the near future.

For the 11 weeks preceding Fresh from the Midwest, songwriters, poets, and visual artists from the Illinois Valley, Chicagoland, and Central Illinois participated in an group email thread where they were invited to create a new piece of art based on a one word prompt they received in their inbox each week, and share their completed piece or work-in-progress with the rest of the group. This is block of time is dedicated to presenting the Fresh Creations made in these weeks leading up to the festival! Visit the Fresh from the Midwest tent to sign up to be a part of this Fresh Creation group!

What is BEYOND the STARS? In this case, it’s a musical duo composed of TM Shaw and Christina Eltrevoog. Since their debut performance on the Big Island of Hawaii in February of 2023, BEYOND the STARS has followed the edge of inspiration, and a significant portion of I-80, across the US, in search of momentary glimpses of human community and a welcoming place to park. Having grown up in different times and different places, Tim and Christina found communion with one another in the depths of a conversation that began late one evening in a hallway of a hotel in the City of Angels. It is a conversation that continues to this day. Their sound, born of radical differences and deep kinship, developing through vocal harmony and the interplay of two guitars, or the pairing of guitar and electric piano, is uniquely their own. It is familiar, yet not reducible to any particular genre or era. In the right situation, live shows unfold long narrative arcs, spontaneously discovered in-between the songs. In such moments of shared discovery we might arrive, for a moment, BEYOND the STARS.

The Family Taco serves you with a smile and Chips and salsa!

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Support Fresh from the Midwest by picking up something from our online store. Each shirt, hat, and poster carries the spirit of the festival—music rooted in community, nature, and the Midwest way of gathering. Your purchase helps us keep this celebration alive, sustaining the songwriters, the land, and the spaces where we come together.

Jodi is a maker of all-natural plant-based products like salves, oils, tinctures, and herbal infusions crafted from plants she grows or gathers nearby. Rooted in faith and a love of learning, her goal is simple: to share the healing power of plants and support whole-body wellness—mind, body, and spirit.

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Handcrafted crystal wire-wrapped jewelry, aromatherapy blends, and curated crystals. Unique gifts and accessories for every soul.

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Vittoria is a personal destination hairstylist bringing you an on-location, relaxing experience full of lived-in hair, education, natural products, & soulful beauty.

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Olivia is a songwriter, photographer, jewelry artisan, and passionate seeker on the path of the Spirit who has blessed us beyond measure with her time and presence at Fresh from the Midwest. From matters little to big, quick to lengthy, she pours her whole heart into life. She will be sharing and vending her handmade and heart made creations!

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Local tie dye extraordinaire Artie Bee will be selling his hand dyed wares, and for this special occasion he will also have a DIY station where you can tie dye your own shirt at the festival! We have white Fresh from the Midwest festival T-shirts you can purchase and for $5 more go get custom dyed with Artie Bee! He also has a stock of shirts you can purchase, or bring your own! He will be there until about 4pm, so come early and get your tie dye on!