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Cheat River Festival

Friends of the Cheat's annual Fundraiser and Outreach event for river enthusiasts, families, musicians, and artists!

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2026 Lineup

Hogslop String Band

Staying true to tradition while maintaining a bold irreverence is something that rarely goes hand-in-hand, but Hogslop String Band manages to walk that line. With their roots in old-time string band music, and their energy based in wild rock- and-roll; you could almost call them punk purists. 

It’s an unlikely combination, but given the talents of singer and fiddler Kevin Martin; guitarist, harmonica player and singer Gabriel Kelley; banjo player and singer Daniel Binkley, and bassist and all-round entertainer Pickle, they pull it off with natural ease. The name alone hints at their wacky ways, but catching them live will give you a true sense of these bizarre, seemingly contradictory descriptions. 

They thrive on crossing genres, casting off the confines of straight old-time and bluegrass, delving into a deep repertoire of rock, folk, psychedelic, and original numbers that can only be described as,”The Hogslop Sound.” It’s clear that these guys are going places, and they’ve quickly become one of the most unique and exhilarating outfits in live music today.  After making their Opry Debut in 2022, Hogslop String Band has begun to cross the lines of more than genre.

 

 

Wilson Springs Hotel

Homegrown in the rich music scene of Virginia, The Wilson Springs Hotel is a 5-star quintet brought together within a union of genres – a high-energy folk act committed to rock & roll, bluegrass and classic country. 

The Wilson Springs Hotel’s new single “Forgiven” is a tune that describes the feeling of letting things go or ending a relationship. A universal thought of knowing you caused a change and now are dealing with the emotions and fallout of those decisions. The song speaks of trying to find happiness in the change while fighting shame for the reasons the change came in the first place.

The second single from The Wilson Springs Hotel “Just Another Morning” blends an upbeat 90’s country sound with lyrics that tell the story of chasing down the simple parts of a lost love. The parts of relationships that eventually get taken for granted but become a focal point when reminiscing about better times. It’s an expression of wishing you could have just one more slow morning with someone you once loved but has since become a stranger. 

Their new record “The Day the Bloodroot Bloomed” is set to release March 20, 2026. The album is an explanation of aging and how you start to lose more people in your life from all kinds of circumstances. How aging is a beautiful thing and leading towards the inevitable at the same time. Overall the record is a description of the beauty and darkness that comes with being alive.

Forming in 2021, the band released two albums in quick succession, while growing a steadfast audience from their fiery and memorable performances out on the road. The group is named after a historic hotel in Lexington, Virginia, home of lead vocalist/songwriter/guitarist Jacob Ritter. 2024 found the band releasing a handful of singles that showcase an even more thoughtful and driving sound. Ritter’s lyrics cover a plethora of subjects, from love and loss, and one’s internal growth as a result, to the relatable woes of the modern working man. Songs such as “Pulling Weeds” exploring the struggle with repetitive mental loops, much like attempting to get nutrients out of the same-old spent garden. The bouncy, danceable, and crowd-pleasing sound of “Two Step Man” takes a tongue-in-cheek approach to noting the finer aspects of a new relationship, while being driven by a toe-tapping country shuffle courtesy of drummer Stephan LaRue and bassist/backing vocalist Andrew Carper. 

Through its constant growth, the band remains unwilling to conform to a single genre, as is evident in the way that this newer material celebrates the many influences instilled by the variety of sonic backgrounds each band member brings with them. Having had multiple appearances at wonderful regional festivals such as DelFest, FloydFest and Rooster Walk, it’s no secret that The Wilson Springs Hotel is best experienced in a live setting. They expertly package dynamic performances full of raw emotion, humor and storytelling, with song-by-song showcases of each player’s talents. You will undoubtedly enjoy the many lovely amenities offered to you during your stay with The Wilson Springs Hotel. 

 

 

Pictrola

Pictrola’s members first played together as a group at the Delfest Academy 2017. The band strives to incorporate modern themes into traditional bluegrass, bringing elements from blues, swing, jazz, and rock into unique covers and originals. Pictrola recently played at DelFest and has many other festivals and gigs around the DMV.

 

 

Red Smith and the Blue Dawn

 

 

 

Weary Space Wanderer

Weary Space Wanderer is spreading improvisational, Appalachian-jam over the made-from-scratch material of singer-songwriter Kevin Hamric. Taking the stories built on an acoustic guitar and shaping them into mind-bending trips of Americana and roots-rock exploration, Weary Space Wanderer is nothing short of an eclectic ride into what modern mountain music can be.

 

 

Mill Creek Cronies

Fayette Co, WV based string band here to bring you originals and covers that range from modern folk, to boot-stompin’ Appalachian old time tunes.

 

 

Meadow Run

Hailing from the lush mountains of West Virginia, Meadow Run are a husband and wife duo who play unique songs that blend the contemporary folk genre with a bluegrass spirit. Lindsey’s beautiful voice often carries her own lyrics which collects friendships, mountain scenery, thoughtful reminiscence and mixes them into a soothing energetic style. Ty backs up her sound with his rich, melodic style of fiddle and vocal harmonies. Their love of music and for each other is evident as these two play straight from the heart.

 

 

Juice Newsom & the Groove

Juice Newsom and The Groove is an original 5-piece funk, blues, and rock band based in Elkins, West Virginia. Known for high-energy dance tunes, the group features a mix of original material and classic funk covers.

 

 

Folk Em All Trio

Folk ‘Em All Trio is a fun, exciting and energetic string trio that covers a vast array of classic American roots music, from bluegrass to western swing, Jimmy Cliff to BB King and original tunes. The group occasionally doubles as longtime Jerry Garcia/David Grisman collaborator Joe Craven’s back-up band, performing together as Joe Craven and the Y’allterations.

 

Big Fiddle

 

 

Lindsey Hull

Lindsey Hull is an indie-folk singer-songwriter rooted in the mountains of West Virginia, where her music first took shape in the quiet, in-between moments of small-town life. Her songs blend warm, nostalgic storytelling with a soft, soulful edge, capturing the ache and beauty of growing up, letting go, and learning to come home to yourself.

Now based back in Appalachia after completing her studies in Savannah, Georgia, Lindsey’s sound has continued to evolve, shaped by both her mountain roots and her time away. Drawing inspiration from artists like Hozier, Noah Kahan, and Lizzy McAlpine, she weaves poetic lyrics with earthy, melodic textures that feel both intimate and expansive.

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