Starting in 1981, FitzGerald’s American Music Festival has grown from a three-band barbeque night to one of the most critically acclaimed summer festivals in the Midwest.  The festival’s main focus is roots/Americana music — everything from straight-ahead rock to soul, rockabilly, country, blues, jazz and bluegrass.  We welcome bands from all over the country and right here at home, with a special place in our hearts for New Orleans and Texas.

Here is a list of the artists who have played past festivals, many of whom return every year.  If you’re a regular festival goer, enjoy a walk down memory lane!

37th AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL

JUNE 29-JULY 3, 2016

June 29: James McMurtry, Eric Lindell, The Band of Heathens, Bob Schneider, Alice Drinks the Kool Aid, Sam Lewis, Marcella & Her Lovers, Brian Johannesen, The Salty Dogs, Curtis McMurtry, Brett Newski, Jenny Bienemann & Friends, Bitters

June 30: Joe Ely Band, Kelly Willis, The Ike Reilly Assassination, Sarah Shook & the Disarmers, Flirting with Time: A Tribute to Tom Petty, Jon Dee Graham & the Fighting Cocks, Ruby Boots, Vanessa Davis, Kevin Gordon Band, Devil in a Woodpile, Michele Malone, Katy Guillen & the Girls, Wild Skies, Northsiders Barbershop Quartet, Blue Ribbon Glee Club, Crooked Love,  JP Cyr & the Midnight Men

July 1: Marcia Ball Band, C.J. Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band, Banditos, John Moreland, Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie, , Archie Bell, Miles Nielsen & the Rusted Hearts, Sarah Borges & the Broken Singles, Expo ’76, Zephaniah Ohora, Josefina, Al Scorch, The Belvederes, Kevin A. Prchal, Ron Lazzeretti, Cannonball, Bunkertown, The Menards

July 3: Nick Lowe with Los Straitjackets, Blackfoot Gypsies, Robbie Fulks with Linda Gail Lewis and Redd Volkaert, Nikki Hill, Tributosaurus becomes The Band, Charlie Parr, Luke Winslow King, Jaime Wyatt, Dave Herrero, Fox Crossing Stringband, Dowd/Drew, The Heavy Sounds, The Sunshine Boys

36th AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL

JUNE 30-JULY 3, 2017

June 30: Southern Culture on the Skids, Expo ’76, Robbie Fulks & Redd Volkaert, The Waco Brothers, The Zimmermen, David Luning, Western Centuries, Terry Hanck Band, Jenny Bienemann, Northsiders Barbershop Quartet, Charlie Parr, The Shams Band.

July 1: Shinyribs, Shemekia Copeland, Sarah Shook & the Disclaimers, Marshall Cernshaw with Los Straitjackets, The Pines, Terrance Simien & Zydeco Experience, Kevin Gordon Band, The Tillers, Liz Vice, Semi-Twang, Charlie Parr, Chicago Salty Dogs, Kim Kaler, Gerald Dowd, Babe-alon 5, Curtis McMurtry, Blue Eyed Bettys, The Belvederes.

July 2: Ike Reilly, Shinyribs, Sarah Borges with Eric Ambel, Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band, Jon Dee Graham, Tributosaurus becomes The Monkees, The Deslondes, Funkadesi, Wesley Bright & the Honeytones, Switchback, Ryan Joseph Anderson, British Buddy Big Band, Jack Klatt , Ron Lazzeretti, Girls of the Golden West, Liv Mueller, Brett Newski, Wild Earp.

July 3: Dave Alvin, Eric Lindell, Red Elvises, Marcia Ball, Miles Nielsen & the Rusted Hearts, C.J. Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band, The Commonheart, The Blisters, Lonesome Still, Ray Bonneville, Cannonball, Bunkertown, Wes Chicosz Band.

35th AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL

JUNE 30-JULY 3, 2016

August 30: Webb Wilder & the Beatnecks, Donna the Buffalo, Parker Millsap, Sarah Borges & the Broken Singles, Dead Winter Carpenters, Billy Prine Band, Cannonball, Bunkertown/Lonesome Organist, Jodi and Dave Walker.

July 1: Eric Lindell with Anson Funderburgh, Banditos, Nelson Street Revival with Cathy Richardson, Willie Nile, The Lee Boys, The Wild Reeds, The Roosevelts, Mississippi Mudpuppies, Dead Freddie, Tory P-Lopez & the Beta Males, Girls of the Golden West, The Giving Trio.

July 2: Willie Nile, Robbie Fulks, John Fullbright, The Zimmermen with Robbie Fulks and John Fullbright, Alanna Royale, Jon Dee Graham & the Fighting Cocks, Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience, R&B Cadets, Kevin Gordon Band, Dylan LeBlanc, Brad Cole, Choctaw Wildfire, Salty Dogs, Gerald Dowd, Curtis McMurtry, Moonrise Nation, Christine Melody Remedy.

July 3: Dos Lobos featuring Cesar Rosas and David Hidalgo, Reckless Kelly, James McMurtry, The Cactus Blossoms, Choctaw Wildfire, Tributosaurus becomes James Brown, Toronzo Cannon, Sam Lewis, The Claudettes, Rico, Salty Dogs, Expo ’76, The Belvederes, Charlie Parr, Matt the Electrician, Lonesome Still. 

34th AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL

JULY 1-4, 2015

July 1: Pokey LaFarge, Lindi Ortega, Paul Cebar Tomorrow Sound, Mississippi Mudpuppies, Eric Lindell, Alanna Royale, Tim Carroll, Mississippi Mudpuppies.

July 2: Joe Ely Band featuring guitarist David Grissom, JD McPherson, Nora Jane Struthers & the Party Line, Girls, Guns and Glory, Sarah Borges, Uncle Lucius, Andrew Combs, Will Kimbrough, Cannonball, Bunkertown, Leadfoot Band.

July 3: Paul Thorn, Tributosaurus becomes Bob Dylan, Dustbowl Revival, The Zimmermen with Cathy Richardson, Sarah Portenza, Glen David Andrews, Eilen Jewell, Waco Brothers, Lera Lynn, 24th Street Wailers, Michelle Malone, School of Rock on Tour, Expo ’76, 24th Street Wailers, The Belvederes, Dead Horses, Charlie Parr.

July 4: Marcia Ball Band, Glen David Andrews, Bill Kirchen and Redd Volkaert Band, Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience, W.C. Clark Blues Band, Salty Dogs Trad Jazz Band, Honey Island Swamp Band, Dale Watson, Jimmy LaFave, Jon Dee Graham & the Fighting Cocks, Kevin Gordon Band, A Muscle Shoals Music Revue with Amy Black and Sarah Borges, School of Rock on Tour, The What Four with Scott Ligon, Casey McDonough, Phil Angotti, Matt Warren, Curtis McMurtry, Bailey Dee & Her Late Night Bait, Robin Bienemann, Harvey Cameron, Luke Underhill.

33RD AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL

JULY 2-5, 2014

July 2: Marcia Ball Band, Junior Brown, Warren Hood Band, Colin Gilmore, Black Lillies, Joe Pug, Holmes Brothers, Chicago Farmer, Ryan Joseph Anderson, Michele McGuire.

July 3: Tribute to Lowell George featuring the New Orleans Suspects with Paul Barrere and Fred Tackett of Little Feat, New Orleans Suspects, Tributosaurus becomes The Band, Shinyribs, Eric Lindell & Co., Pokey LaFarge, Chuck Mead and His Grassy Knoll Boys, Paul Barrere and Fred Tackett, The Fat Babies, Cannonball, Ron Lazzeretti, Bunkertown, Joe Filisko and Eric Noden.

July 4: Alejandro Escovedo & the Sensitive Boys, Shemekia Copeland, Bottle Rockets, Billy Joe Shaver, Lost & Nameless Orchestra, Switchback Band, Jon Dee Graham, Shinyribs, Robbie Fulks, Kevin Gordon Band, Jarekus Singleton, Cory Branan, Kory Quinn, The Belvederes, The Dyes, Weepin’ Willows.

July 5: Joe Ely and Reckless Kelly, The Iguanas, Hurray for the Riff Raff, Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Express, Glen David Andrews, The Salty Dogs, CJ Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band; John Fullbright, Girls, Guns & Glory perform a set and then are joined by Sarah Borges, The Split Squad, The Bellfuries, The Howlin’ Brothers, Zoe Muth & the Lost High Rollers, Expo ’76, Jenny Dragon, Ella Gill & Scott Daniel, Dirty Pigeons. 

32ND AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL

JULY 3-6, 2013

July 3: Miles Nielsen & the Rusted Hearts, Mudd Morganfield Blues Band, Ian McLagan with Jon Notarthomas, The Westies, Luke Winslow-King, The Salty Dogs, Dave Alvin and the Guilty Ones, The Paladins Reunion Sleepy LaBeef with Chris Neville, Joe Hall & the Louisiana Cane Cutters, Sanctified Grumblers, Stormy Weather.

July 4: Dave Alvin & the Guilty Ones, The Fleshtones, Pat McLaughlin, The Blisters, Luella & the Sun, Howlin’ Brothers, Brave Combo, Sonny Landreth, Kevin Gordon Band, Michelle Malone, Lost and Nameless Orchestra, Weepin’ Willows, Champlin Menard Band, Sarah Potenza, The What.

July 5: Jon Dee Graham, Melissa Ferrick and Band, John Fullbright, Cathy Richardson Band, Sarah & the Tall Boys, James McMurtry, Bottle Rockets, St. Paul & the Broken Bones, Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience, Doop, Loves It, Hope Rose.

July 6: Jimmy LaFave, NRBQ, Dolly Varden, Warren Hood Band, The Shams Band, Expo ’76, Tributosaurus becomes Tom Petty, Marcia Ball Band, Max Baca & Los Texmaniacs, Beausoleil avec Michael Doucet, Jeffrey Broussard & the Creole Cowboys, Girl Group Chicago, Cannonball, Naomi Ashley, Roxy.

31st AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL

JUNE 29 –JULY 3, 2012

June 29: Dave Alvin & the Guilty Ones, Robbie Fulks and Steve Frisbee as the Everly Brothers, Garland Jeffreys, Elephant Revival, Sons of Fathers, Anna Fermin Band, Joel Patterson & the Wooden Sounds, Puffins, Go Long Mule, 

June 30: Brave Combo, JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound, Ike Reilly Assassination, Kenny Neal, Jon Dee Graham & the Fighting Cocks, Webb Wilder, Randall Bramblett Band, Joe Pug, Kevin Gordon, Paul Cebar Tomorrow Sound, Deadstring Brothers, WPA Barn Dance, Tyler Krienitz, Parlours, Chandelier Swingers.

July 1: Honey Island Swamp Band, CJ Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band, Dave Alvin & the Guilty Ones, Marcia Ball, Paul Thorn Band, Otis Taylor, The Derailers, The Congregation, Peter Karp/Sue Foley Band, John Burnett Orchestra with Frieda Lee, Ryan Brunet & the Malfecteurs, Gina Knight Orchestra, Kyle Douglas, Blue Ribbon Glee Club, Sanctified Grumblers.

July 3: Waco Brothers & Friends featuring Paul Burch, Tributosaurus becomes Creedence Clearwater Revival, Chuck Prophet, Honey Island Swamp Band, Lydia Loveless, Expo ’76, Walter Salas Humara, Special Consensus Bluegrass, Bunkertown, Cannonball, Cannon-Town.

30th AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL

JULY 1-3, 2011

July 1: Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Marcia Ball, Tracy Nelson, Cathy Richardson & the Macrodots, Jeff & Vida, Michelle Malone, Roddy Romero & The Hub City All-Stars, Go Long Mule, Harrison St. Ukulele Players

July 2: Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Reckless Kelly, Bottle Rockets, Tributosaurus becomes The Neville Bros./Meters, Dave Gonzalez & the Stone River Boys, Dave Kay Band, Whitey Morgan & the 78’s, Special Consensus, Uncle Lucius, Les Bassettes, Chicago Salty Dogs, Roddy Romero & The Hub City All Stars, Bunkertown, The Tillers

July 3: Dave Alvin & the Guilty Ones, Junior Brown, Joe Pug, Jon Dee Graham, Hobart Bros., Spampinato Bros., Chicago Grandstand Big Band, The Iguanas, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Paul Cebar Tomorrow Sound, Expo ‘76, Susan Cowsill & Russ Broussard, Sarah & the Tallboys 

29th AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL

JULY 1-4, 2010

July 1: Meetin’ in the Middle with The Travelin’ McCourys & The Lee Boys, Bonerama, The Lee Boys, CJ Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band, Travelin’ McCourys, Honey Island Swamp Band, Jon Langford’s Skull Orchard, Bryan Lee 7 the Blues Power Band.

July 2: Jon Dee Graham & the Fighting Cocks, Marcia Ball Band, Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers, Joe Pug & the 100 Mike Band featuring Bucky Baxter, Uncle Lucius, Wayne Hancock, Honey Island Swamp Band, Whitey Morgan 7 the 78s, Rayland Baxter, The Giving Tree Band.

July 3: Willie Nile, Joe Ely Band featuring Bobby Keys and Robbie Gersoe, Jon Dee Graham & the Fighting Cocks, The Blasters with Dave Alvin, Nicholas Tremulis Orchestra, Joe Pug & the 100 Mike Band featuring Bucky Baxter, The Nighthawks with Hubert Sumlin, Webb Wilder, Tributosaurus becomes Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Eilen Jewell, Yellowhammers, Salty Dogs, Jeff & Vida, Rayland Baster

July 4: The Blasters with Dave Alvin, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, The Waco Brothers, James Hunter, Brave Combo, CJ Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band, Susan Cowsill, The Anointed Vessel Gospel Choir, The Victory Travelers, Kevin Gordon Band, Brienn Perry Orchestra, Briggs Brown & the Bayou Cajuns, Blue Line Riders, The Tillers.

28th AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL

JULY 1-JULY 4, 2009

July 1: Waco Brothers, Joe Ely Band featuring Bobby Keyes, David Grissom, Any Petit, David McLarty, Cornmeal, Cathy Richardson and Her San Fran Band, Beausoliel with Michael Doucet, Joe Hall & Louisiana Cane Cutters, Colin Gilmore.

July 2: Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Robbie Fulks, Marcia Ball, Bill Kirchen, Pat McLaughlin, Beausoliel with Michael Doucet, Paul Cebar Tomorrow Sound, Petra’s Recession Seven, Chocolate Covered Karma.

July 3: Eric Lindell, Marcia Ball, The Gourds, Shemekia Copeland, Jon Dee Graham, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Pieta Brown & Dream #9, Roomful of Blues, Feufollet, Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience, Swamp Dogs featuring Michael McDermott, John Rice, Brad Nye, John Spiegel, Klem Hayes and the Music of Mike Jordan, Switchback, Long Gone Lonesome Boys.

July 4: John Mooney & Bluesiana, Dave Alvin & the Guilty Women, Jon Dee Graham, Tributosaurus becomes Elvis Presley, Terry Adams Crazy Trio, Terrance Simien & Zydeco Experience, WPA featuring Glen Phillips, Sean Watkins, Luke Bella, Sebastian Steinberg, Michelle Malone, Over the Rhine, The Nighthawks, Carrie Rodriguez, Big Smith, Guy Forsyth, Tarbox Ramblers, C&E Jug Band.

27th AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL

JULY 2-JULY 5, 2008

July 2: Chuck Prophet, Cornmeal, Pat McLaughlin, Geno Delafose and French Rockin’ Boogie, Sarah Borges & the Broken Singles, Bryan Lee & the Blues Power Band, Guy Forsyth, Henhouse Prowlers.

July 3: Marcia Ball, Tributosaurus becomes The Allman Brothers, Lee Boys, Dynamites with Charles Walker, Paul Sanchez & John Boutte, Terry Evans, Susan Cowsill, Bunkertown, Cannonball.

July 4: Waco Brothers, Marcia Ball, Ian McLagan & the Bump Band, Bonerama, Jon Dee Graham, Holmes Brothers, Kevin Gordon, Paul Thorn, Victory Travelers & the Anointed Vessels Gospel Choir, Janiva Magness, John Burnett Orchestra, Nicholas Tremulis.

July 5: Robbie Fulks, Dave Alvin & the Guilty Men, Jon Dee Graham, Hacienda Brothers, Joe Ely & Joel Guzman, Rosie Flores & the Pine Valley Cosmonauts, The Famous Potatoes, Paul Cebar, Big Smith, BS Brass Band, Switchback, Salty Dogs, Johnny Burns, Jeff & Vida, The Yellowhammers.

26th AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL

JUNE 29 -JULY 1, JULY 3, 2007

June 29: Waco Brothers, James Hunter, Lee Boys, Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience, Guitar Shorty, Big Smith, Bunkertown, Chicago Cajun Aces, Rob McShane.

June 30: Bob Schneider, Marcia Ball, Tony Joe White, Beausoliel, Nappy Brown & Bob Margolin, Sleepy LaBeef, Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience, Famous Brothers, Golden Horse Ranch Square Dance Band, The Yellowhammers.

July 1: Marcia Ball, Pat McLaughlin, Jon Dee Graham, Victory Travelers with the Anointed Vessel Choir, Holmes Brothers, Bill Kirchen & Too Much Fun, Mark Hummel’s Blues Harp Blowout with Billy Branch and James Harman, Elana James and the Hot Club of Cowtown, Anna Fermin’s Trigger Gospel, John Burnett Orchestra, Michelle Malone, John Burnett Orchestra, Eric Noden & Joe Filisko.

July 3: Ian McLagan & the Bump Band, Tributosaurus, Little Charlie & the Nightcats, Robbie Fulks, Jon Dee Graham, Hayes Carll, Willy Porter, Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash, Switchback, Salty Dogs, Jeff & Vida.

25th AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL

JUNE 30-JULY 3, 2006

June 30: Marcia Ball, Brave Combo, CJ Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band, Walter “Wolfman” Washington, Lost Bayou Ramblers, Jimmy LaFave, Wrinkle Neck Mules, Jeff & Vida.

July 1: Marcia Ball, The Blasters featuring Dave Alvin & Gene Taylor, Pat McLaughlin, Jimmy LaFave, Tributosaurus becomes the Byrds, Kevin Gordon Band, Heartsfield, Switchback, Paul Cebar & the Milwaukeeans, Jon Langford’s Ship & Pilot, Deacon Rubin & the Victory Travelers with the Anointed Vessel Choir of Chicago, Anne Harris, Nicholas Tremulis, Jeff & Vida.

July 2: The Blasters featuring Dave Alvin & Gene Taylor, Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience, Sonny Landreth, Webb Wilder, Jon Dee Graham, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Chatham County Line, John Burnett featuring Byron Strippling, Chevere, John Bany’s Men of Note featuring Eric Schneider, Jeff & Vida.

July 3: Dave Alvin & the Guilty Men, John Mooney & Bluesiana, Famous Potatoes Reunion with Michael McDermott, Bill Kirchen with Sarah Brown & Lisa Pankratz, Jon Dee Graham, Dale Watson, Eric Lindell, Devil in a Woodpile, Terrance Simien Family Show, Jeff & Vida.

24th AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL

JUNE 30 -JULY 3, 2005

June 30: Jimmy LaFave, Lee Boys, Paul Cebar & the Milwaukeans, Salty Dogs, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Bill Kirchen & Too Much Fun, Hacienda Brothers, Hoyle Brothers.

July 1: Marcia Ball Band, Anders Osborne, Dallas Wayne & Red Volkaert, Roots Rock Rollercoaster with Elizabeth McQueen, Brave Combo, Ian McLagan & the Bump Band, Jon Dee Graham, Paul Thorn.

July 2: Robbie Fulks, Tributosaurus becomes The Band, Dallas Wayne & Red Volkaert, Eh La-Bas, John Burnett Orchestra, The Gourds, Cathy Richardson Band, Kinsey Report, Lee Boys, Patterson Hood, Kevin Gordon, Grey DeLisle, Jennifer Nicely.

July 3: Marcia Ball Band, The Gourds, Sleepy LaBeef, Nathan & the Zydeco Cha-Chas, Chicago Jazz Orchestra, The Subdudes, King Wilkie, Hackensaw Boys, Nathan & the Zydeco Cha-Chas, Eh La-Bas, Del Rey.

23rd AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL

JULY 1-4, 2004

July 1: Michael McDermott, Gena Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie, Chevere, Poncho Chavez & the Magic Sounds, Jeff and Vida Band, Robbie Fulks, Jimmy LaFave, Chris and Heather’s 16mm Film Jamboree, Anna Fermin’s Trigger Gospel

July 2: Ricardo Lemvo and Makina Loca, Santiago Jimenez, Last Train Home, Paul Burch, Jeff and Vida Band, Jimmy LaFave, Star Blues Jam featuring Pinetop Perkins, Hubert Sumlin, Bob Margolin, Mookie Brill and Willie “Big Eye” Smith, Nicholas Tremulis.

July 3: Dave Alvin & the Guilty Men, Lagniappe Set, Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience, Salty Dogs, Savoy Family Band, Jeff and Vida Band, Salty Dogs, Drive By Truckers, Reckless Kelly, Jon Dee Graham, Dollar Store, Cornmeal, Stone City Stranglers.

July 4: Waco Brothers, Reckless Kelly, Tito Jackson & the Jackson Five Band, Nathan & the Zydeco Cha-Chas, Chicago Jazz Orchestra, Eric Noden, Jeff and Vida Band, Dave Alvin and the Guilty Men, Pat McLaughlin, Eric Ambel and the Roscoe Trio, The She Demons of Rockabilly with Casey Sisters, The Honeybees, Dawn Shipley and the Sharp Shooters, Lurrie Bell and Dave Specter, Ann Rabson, Jackie Greene.

22nd AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL

JULY 2-5, 2003

July 2: Terrance Simien & the Mallet Playboys, Brave Combo, James McMurtry, Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band, Bill Kirchen and Too Much Fun with special guest Robbie Fulks, Dale Watson, Salty Dogs, Jeff & Vida.

July 3: Waco Brothers, Sonny Landreth, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie, Pat McLaughlin, Liz Carroll, The Blue-Runners, Monterey Jazz Honor Band, Jeff & Vida.

July 4: The Iguanas, Marcia Ball Band, Los Straitjackets with the World Famous Pontani Sisters with special guest Eddy Clearwater, Anna Fermin’s Trigger Gospel, Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie, Wayne Brooks, Hot Club of Cowtown, Tarbox Ramblers, Switchback, Jeff & Vida.

July 5: Marcia Ball Band, Dirty Dozen, Jon Dee Graham Band, Paul Cebar & the Milwaukeeans, Andrew Bird, Big Sandy and his Fly-Rite Boys, Freakwater, Casolando, Paul Thorn Band, The Delafields, Chicago Jazz Orchestra with Frieda Lee and Dan Trudell, Jeff & Vida.

21st AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL

July 3-6, 2002

July 3: Marcia Ball Band, The Dudes, Terrance Simien, Bill Kirchen, Hot Club of Cowtown, Beaver Nelson, Jeff & Vida.

July 4: Dave Alvin & the Guilty Men, The Treniers with Mile Trenier, Los Straitjackets, Big Sandy & His Fly-rite Boys, Pontani Sisters, Jon Dee Graham, Jim Lauderdale, The Resentments, Dallas Wayne, The Paladins, Jeff & Vida, Chicago Jazz Orchestra with Kurt Elling and Frieda Lee.

July 5: Sonny Landreth, Billy Joe Shaver, Junior Brown, Little Charlie & the Nightcats, Robbie Fulks, Alvin Youngblood Hart, The Ranch Girls, Chicago Salty Dogs Jazz Band, Jeff & Vida.

July 6: Mavis Staples & the Staple Singers, Otis Clay, Billy Joe Shaver, Alex Chilton, The Treniers with Milt Trenier, The Blazers, The Hackberry Ramblers, Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers, Rockamatics, Jeff & Vida, Lonesome Bob, The Honeybees, Brienn Perry Orchestra.

20th AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL

JUNE 29-JULY 1, July 3, 2001

June 29: Mike Plume Band, BR549, Pat McLaughlin, Jesse Dayton, The Morells, The Domino Kings, King Clarentz Brewer, Mama Digdown’s Brass Band.

June 30: Alejandro Escovedo, Jimmy LaFave, Billy Joe Shaver, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Trent Summar & the New Row Mob, Scotty & the Ligonaires, Mike Plume Band, Jason Ringenberg, Gospel Showcase with Otis Clay and the Gospel Crusaders, The Victory Travelers and the Christian Fellowship Choir with Tawannna Clay, Hackinsaw Boys, Perla de Mexico.

July 1: Robbie Fulks, Marcia Ball Band, Billy Joe Shaver, Terrance Simien & the Mallet Playboys, Wayne Hancock, Del McCoury, Kevin Gordon Band, Hackberry Ramblers, The Ranch Girls, Chuck Hedges Swingtet, Chicago Jazz Orchestra.

July 3: Marcia Ball Band, Sonny Landreth, Los Straitjackets, R&B Cadets Reunion, Anna Fermin’s Trigger Gospel, Tarbox Ramblers, The Juleps, Salty Dogs.

19th AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL

JUNE 30-JULY 3, 2000

June 30: Joe Ely Band, Reckless Kelly, Paul Cebar & the Milwaukeeans, Magnolia Sisters, Teddy Morgan with Bo Ramsey, Kevin Gordon Band, Sones de Mexico.

July 1: Joe Ely Band, Ronnie Dawson, Robbie Fulks, Hackberry Ramblers, Mike Plume Band, Bill Kirchen and Too Much Fun, Special Consensus, Beatle Brothers, Switchback, Famous Brothers.

July 2: Alejandro Escovedo, Marcia Ball Band, Blue Rodeo, Joe Grushecky & the House Rockers, Gurf Morlix with John Sieger, Red Elvises, Jimmy LaFave, John Sebastian, Chicago Jazz Orchestra, Franz Jackson, Laketown Buskers.

July 3: Dave Alvin & the Guilty Men, Marcia Ball Band, Jimmy LaFave, C.J. Chenier & His Red Hot Louisiana Band, Waco Brothers, Heatersons, Betsy & the Bone Shakers, Kelley Hunt.

18th AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL

JULY 1-4, 1999

July 1: Marcia Ball Band, Ian Moore, Hen House, Bruce Robison, Monte Warden, Wayne Hancock, Monte Montgomery, Jon Dee Graham.

July 2: Marcia Ball, Jimmy LaFave, James McMurtry, Nathan & the Zydeco Cha-Chas, Rosie Flores, Shannon Curfman, Big Smith.

July 3: Big Sandy & His Fly Rite Boys, Terrance Simien & the Mallet Playboys, The Backsliders, Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, Los Aztex featuring Joel Guzman, Mike Plume Band, Anna Fermin’s Trigger Gospel, The Blue Rags, The Riptones, Salty Dogs.

July 4: C.J. Chenier, Jimmy LaFave, Bottle Rockets, The Blazers, Los Straitjackets, Casolando, Fred Eaglesmith, Michelle Wilson, Jimmy Sutton’s Four Charms, Jazz Members Big Band.

17th AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL

JULY 1-4, 1998

July 1: The Iguanas, Kelly Willis, Geno Delafose, Hadley J. Castille, Kevin Gordon.

July 2: The Iguanas, Los Straitjackets, The Bottle Rockets, John Mooney & Bluesiana, Kelly Willis, Scrappy Jud Newcomb, Chicago Basie Connection.

July 3: Alejandro Escovedo, Otis Clay, Paul Cebar & the Milwaukeeans, John Mooney & Bluesiana, Jimmy LaFave, Bill Kirchen and Too Much Fun, Mama Digdown’s Brass Band.

July 4: Dave Alvin & the Guilty Men, Terrance Simien and the Mallet Playboys, Jimmy LaFave, The Big Swing, Hackberry Ramblers, Cheri Knight, Blue Mountain, Jazz Members Big Band with Frieda Lee and Kurt Elling; Sones De Mexico.

16th AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL

JULY 2-5, 1997

July 2: Marcia Ball Band, Rhythm Club, Tiny Town, Paul Cebar & the Milwaukeeans, Bo Ramsey.

July 3: Terrance Simien & the Mallet Playboys, Hadley J. Castille & the Sharecroppers, Switchback, Marcia Ball Band, The Cicadas (Rodney Crowell, Vince Santora, Michael Rhodes, Stewart Smith, Sonny Burgess, The Juleps.

July 4: Webb Wilder Band, C.J. Chenier & His Red Hot Louisiana Band, Mel Menton and the Wicked Mojos, Elvis 20th Anniversary Tribute (Rich Saucedo & Mark Hussman with the Expense Account Orchestra), Ronnie Dawson, Old 97s, Jimmy LaFave, Steve Forbert and the Next Big Thing, Vidalias.

July 5: Jimmy LaFave, Holmes Brothers, Hackberry Ramblers, Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band, Salty Dogs, Jazz Members Big Band, Dave Alvin and the Guilty Men, Candye Kane, The Skeletons, Neal Coty, Robbie Fulks, Anna Fermin & Trigger Gospel.

15th AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL

JULY 2-5, 1996

July 3: Storyville, Alejandro Escovedo, John Sieger and Phil Lee, Terrance Simien & the Mallet Playboys, The Derailers, Chuck Hedges Swingtet.

July 4: John Mooney, Keb’ Mo’, Los Straitjackets, Mighty Blue Kings, Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys, Hackberry Ramblers, Bid Livers, Charles Lane Jazz Band.

July 5: Jimmy LaFave, Blue Rodeo, Cornell Hurd Band, Marcia Ball Band, Paul Cebar & the Milwaukeeans, Mem Shannon, Charles Lane Jazz Band.

July 6: Marcia Ball Band, The Tailgators, Molly and the Makers, Jimmy LaFave, Candye Kane, Steve Reiley & the Mamou Playboys, Jazz Members Big Band, Salty Dogs. 

14th AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL

JUNE 29-JULY 3, 1995

June 29: Luther Allison, Don Walser and the Pure Texas Band, Paul Cebar and the Milwaukeeans, Geno Delafose & the Eunice Playboys, Charles Lane Jazz Band.

June 30: Jimmy LaFave, Dave Hole, Candye Kane, Terrance Simien & the Mallet Playboys, The Blazers, Charles Lane Jazz Band.

July 1: The Iguanas, Jimmy LaFave, Loose Diamonds, Don Walser and the Pure Texas Band, Lil’ Brian Terry & the Zydeco Travelers, Switchback.

July 2: Pat McLaughlin, Anson Funderburgh & the Rockets with Sam Myers, Waco Brothers with Sally Timms, The Iguanas, Hackberry Ramblers, Jazz Members Big Band.

July 3: Dave Alvin, The Skeletons, Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, Marcia Ball Band, Geno Delafose & the Eunice Playboys.

13th AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL

JUNE 30-JULY 3, 1994

June 30: NRBQ; Marcia Ball Band, Steve Ferguson, Doyle Bramhall, Charles Lane with the Lester Stephens Band.

July 1: Beausoleil, The Insiders, Duke Robillard, Cathy Richardson Band, Fernest Arceneaux, Franz Jackson.

July 2: Paul Cebar & the Milwaukeeans, Loose Diamonds, Hackberry Ramblers, Stephen Bruton, Jimmy LaFave, Fernest Arceneaux.

July 3: Marcia Ball Band, Pat McLaughlin, Jimmy LaFave, David Halley, Jazz Members Big Band, Swingtet.

12th AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL

JULY 1-3, 1993

July 1: The Iguanas, Junior Brown, Marcia Ball Band, Ranch Romance, Lester Stephens Traditional Jazz Band..

July 2: Blue Rodeo, Loose Diamonds, Toni Price, Paul Cebar & the Milwaukeeans, Hackberry Ramblers, Lester Stephens Traditional Jazz Band.

July 3: The Skeletons, Sonny Landreth, James Harmen, Monty Warden, Hackberry Ramblers, John Delafose, Lester Stephens Traditional Jazz Band.

11th AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL

JULY 2-4, 1992

July 2: Paul Cebar & the Milwaukeeans, Alejandro Escovedo, Marcia Ball Band, Boozoo Chavis, Lester Stephens Traditional Jazz Band.

July 3: The Skeletons, John Mooney, The Iguanas, Boozoo Chavis, Lester Stephens Traditional Jazz Band.

July 4: Marcia Ball Band, Famous Potatoes, Danny Gatton, Irma Thomas, Kanda Bongo Man, Kathy O’Hara and Diane Lattey.

10th AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL

JULY 3-6, 1991

July 3: Marcia Ball Band, John Campbell, Chris Smither, Bruce Daigrepont’s Cajun Band, Lester Stephens Traditional Jazz Band.

July 4: The Skeletons, Bobby King & Terry Evans, Paul Cebar & the Milwaukeeans, Lester Stephens Traditional Jazz Band.

July 5: Terrance Simien & the Mallet Playboys, Spooner, Marcia Ball Band, The Remainders, Lester Stephens Traditional Jazz Band.

July 6: The Insiders, The Rousers, Lonnie Brooks Blues Band, Bayou Swamp Band, Lester Stephens Traditional Jazz Band.

9th AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL

JUNE 29-JULY 1, JULY 3, 1990

June 29: C.J. Chenier & His Red Hot Louisiana Band, Sonny Landreth and the Goners, The Kinsey Report with Big Daddy Kinsey, The Spanic Boys.

June 30: C.J. Chenier & His Red Hot Louisiana Band, File, Lonnie Brooks Blues Band, Sonny Landreth and the Goners.

July 1: Ellington Dynasty with Johnny Frigo, Memphis Nighthawks, Big Shoulders.

July 3: Terrance Simien & the Mallet Playboys, Bruce Daigrepont’s Cajun Band, Paul Cebar & the Milwaukeeans, Little Charlie & the Nitecats, John Hammond. 

8th  AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL

JUNE 30-JULY 3, 1989

June 30: C.J. Chenier, Beausoleil, Paul Cebar & the Milwaukeeans.

July 1: C.J. Chenier, Beausoleil, Betsy and the Boneshakers, New Grass Revival.

July 2: Webb Wilder & the Beatnecks, Five Blind Boys from Alabama, Terrance Simien & the Mallet Playboys, Jazz Members Big Band.

July 3: Webb Wilder & the Beatnecks, Dynatones, Terrance Simien & the Mallet Playboys, Tailgators.

7th AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL

JULY 1-3, 1988

July 1: Joe Ely, Otis Clay, C.J. Chenier, Paul Cebar & the Milwaukeans, Lester Stephens.

July 2: Joe Ely, Kinsey Report, Semi Twang, Lester Stephens, Beausoleil.

July 3: Joe Ely, Jazz Members Big Band, Blue Rodeo, Terrance Simien & the Mallet Playboys, Beausoleil.

6th AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL

JULY 2-5, 1987

July 2: Clifton Chenier and His Red Hot Louisiana Band, Paul Cebar & the Milwaukeans, Jazz Members Big Band.

July 3: Clifton Chenier and His Red Hot Louisiana Band, Bluesbusters, Lonnie Mack.

July 4: Clifton Chenier and His Red Hot Louisiana Band, Terrance Simien & the Mallet Playboys, Paleface Brigade, Mike Jordan & the Rockamatics, L’ll Ed and the Blues Imperials.

July 5: Dr. John, Beausoleil, Terrance Simien & the Mallet Playboys, Webb Wilder and the Beatnecks, Little Charlie and the Nightcats.

5th AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL

JULY 3-5, 1986

July 3: Vanessa Davis Band, Jazz Members Big Band.

July 4: Clifton Chenier and His Red Hot Louisiana Band, The Sun Messengers, Mike Jordan & the Rockamatics, E*I*E*I*O.

July 5: Clifton Chenier and His Red Hot Louisiana Band, The Sun Messengers, Kool Ray and the Polaroids, Joe King Carrasco and the Crowns 

4th AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL

JULY 3-6, 1985

July 3: Professor’s Blues Review with Gloria Hardiman, Jazz Members Big Band.

July 4: Big Twist and the Mellow Fellows, Juggular, Fitzwater.

July 5: The Elvis Brothers, Spooner, The Moe-Rons.

July 6: Albert Collins and the Ice-Breakers.

3rd AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL

JULY 3-4, 1984

July 3: The Elvis Brothers, Mike Jordan & the Rockamatics, Eric Schneider Quintet, Jazz Members Big Band.

July 4: Lonnie Brooks, Son Seals, Koko Taylor, Special Concensus, Jethro Burns and Friends, Art Hodes and the Jazz Allstars.

2rd AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL

JULY 3, 1983

July 3: The Radiators, Mike Jordan & the Rockamatics, Jazz Members Big Band, Barrett Deems and the “Grin and Barrett” Band, Jump ‘n’ the Saddle.

1st AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL

JULY 4, 1982

July 4: Clifton Chenier and his Red Hot Louisiana Band, The Famous Potatoes, Salty Dogs, Jazz Members Big Band.

GROUND ZERO

This is the weekend where the idea was born. The next year the first AMF came into existence.

JULY 3-4, 1981

July 3: Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble.

July 4: Art Hodes with Jim Beebe Band featuring drummer Barrett Deems.

PHOTO BY DAVID T. KINDLER.