SATURDAY

Noon – 12:45 PM

TBA

Soda Spill

This band of young rockers are inspired by the best rockers in the world, including Led Zepplin and Van Halen.  The energy these Wild Cats remit will captivate you.  Hearing David Hodges on the drums is like listening to Keith Moon and watching Animal from the Muppets!  While Eric Peters grooves the Bass and Jacob Martin provides rhythm guitar, the band paints the picture, and the slashing leads light up the scene.  Shredding leads rip out of the Marshall stack from Nolan Nemitz, a 2020 Eddie Van Halenish prodigy.  Enjoy these up and coming rock stars, they are kicking off the 2023 Backroads Music Festival, June 3, 2023 at Noon. You can find more info on Instagram.  

SATURDAY

1:00 – 1:45 PM

TBA

John Rogers

Born in Shenandoah, Iowa, at age four, John Rogers moved to Falls City, Nebraska. He was smitten by The Beatles and soon got an electric guitar; Rogers joined the Stage Band and formed several rock bands in high school. Once he moved to Omaha, Rogers was playing area clubs from the mid-late 70's as a solo singer/guitarist and also in bands as front man/lead singer.

His 1978-80 band, “High Falootin,” was a country-rock group which shifted to MTV’s modern, pop/rock playlist, and changed its name to “High Heel & The Sneekers.” HH & S (1982-1992) became a big regional draw and is in the Iowa Rock & Roll Music Association Hall of Fame, Class of 2017 — Rogers was later inducted a second time as an individual artist in the Class of 2021.

“High Heel & The Sneekers” released three 45 rpm records of original music and saw one of three videos on National TV (TNN) in 1991 with the other two played locally.

Other bands Rogers have formed include “Living Proof” (1992-1997) and released a sixteen-song live CD) and a live performance before a studio audience. Then Acoustic Groove in 1997 while continuing to perform regularly as a duo, trio or quartet in the Omaha market.

Rogers frequently performs solo in the Omaha area, from clubs and lounges to private parties, care facilities, picnics, etc.

Additionally, Rogers has been re-united with four of his “High Heel & The Sneekers” band-mates after 30 years, and our exciting new project will be called “Scout Finch.” Stay tuned — more music comin’!

SATURDAY

2:00 - 2:45 PM

TBA

Back Roads Lullaby

This new Classic Country band features perfectly harmonized Country songs from the likes of Dolly, Reba, Chicks and a lot more. Backed up by two talented guitarists they politely provide a great family oriented show and bring you right back to the good times had by listening to clean country songs. Enjoy and welcome them at 2pm. follow back roads lullaby on facebook.

SATURDAY

3:00 - 3:45 PM

TBA

Cooper James

Cooper James is a country music singer/songwriter from Gretna, a small town in eastern Nebraska. His lyrics and voice have captured the hearts of his rapidly growing fan base, all who share the same love of and appreciation for family, friends and country music. Cooper has 4 original songs available on all streaming platforms and has brought the party to 6 different states on multiple tours. Cooper has had the privilege and honor of opening for National artists Thompson Square, Creed Fisher, Keith Anderson, and Eli Young Band. Cooper takes over the stage at 3:00pm! Follow Cooper on Facebook and YouTube!

SATURDAY

4:00 - 4:45 PM

TBA

Square Wave Jerks

Square Wave Jerks is not a band so much as it is a symptom. A symptom of a potentially serious neurological condition. We're not kidding - look it up. But, contrary to what our name would suggest, we're neither neurologists, nor are we ill-tempered human beings. Rather, we're middle-aged Omaha men who are totally not having a mid-life crisis. Really, we're not. We've all been playing in bands since we were teenagers and plan to continue until we're one-hundred-and-teenagers. (Maybe then we'll settle down and focus on coaching younger bands.) What do we sound like? Well, let's just say we're better at writing music than we are at naming bands...or songs... or... anything (thank goodness our kids at least have normal names.) We play cyan-soaked dad rock with influences ranging from Zappa to Zeppelin, from indie rock to Indian rock to Indiana rock. Josh McAdams ("The Handsome One") is actually from Indiana, originally. He's our resident less-annoying Eddie Vedder. Josh does lead vocals, and backup vocals, and more backup vocals, and... well, Josh sometimes gets carried away when recording vocal tracks. Josh also cranks out sweet riffs on guitars that aren't a Strat. Seriously, Josh sold his only Strat and guitarists everywhere are scratching their heads in confusion. Gregg Markus ("The Evil Genius") likes to say he plays lead guitar "like Stevie Ray Vaughan with a broken hand." The rest of us disagree - I mean, we're talking a hairline fracture at best. Gregg is also our recording guru and can play drums, bass, and sing as well. We're all wondering why Gregg even needs the rest of us. Timothy Weatherford ("The Bossy One") is very good at writing bass lines... that would probably be best executed by a better bassist. That said, the band keeps him around even though he never brings the same bass to rehearsal more than once. Also, he's kind of bossy and writes overly confusing "songs" but really, what else did you expect from a bass player? Jerry "Fuzz" Kuhn is the only band member with an actual childhood nickname. He slaps the skins with all the ferocity of ten ghosts of ten John Bonhams. He also plays the drums. Jerry almost always has a smile on his face, even when Tim is being bossy. Square Wave Jerks will be playing an alcohol-serving establishment near you sometime in the next forty years and we hope that you come out and get too inebriated to notice the racket happening on stage.

SATURDAY

5:00 - 5:45 PM

TBA

GetchaSum

In 2012, basement jam sessions at bassist Ben Nelson’s house gave way to something special. A unique and influential mix of sounds and styles were brought to the table. Something clicked, and band members Dave, Ben, Kyle, Rob, Matt and Dennis solidified a band. GetchaSum. Mixing rock, funk, blues, jazz and soul, GetchaSum was on the scene. Their debut show March 1st, 2013 at Omaha’s Down Under/Side Door Lounge made it official.

In spring of 2014, GetchaSum moved to their new home, Studio B, in the Benson district of Omaha, NE. Perched atop a defunct tattoo parlor overlooking the recently revitalized Benson district, their sound continued to improve and evolve. Later that year, GetchaSum shared the stage with national touring act Full Service at the Hive Lounge as part of 311’s Grassroots Festival.

Some of GetchaSum’s favorite local venues include Barley St. Tavern, Lookout Lounge, Dr. Jacks’s Drinkery, and Beyond Golf. An annual Thanksgiving-Eve show at Beyond Golf has evolved into one of the biggest local parties of the year.

GetchaSum is showing no signs of slowing down. With new songs being added at almost every rehearsal, their catalog of crowd pleasing music continues to grow. As the band puts it….Come and Getchasum!

SATURDAY

6:00 - 6:45 PM

TBA

Sonic Diversion

Founded in 2003, Sonic Diversion hit the ground running writing melodic modern rock. Shortly thereafter they landed the Z-92 battle of the bands for their first gig and won the right to open for Jack Russell / Great White with their second.

Over the next 5 years they recorded two original cd’s and performed heavily in the Omaha area and surrounding regions opening for national acts such as Seven Mary Three, Zug Island, and Marty Casey and the Lovehammers.

Sonic Diversion disbanded in 2008 to pursue other interests but the music lives on.

2023 is here and the opportunity to relive this music live has presented itself with the Backroads Music Festival. Join us! Our 20 year reunion show is at hand!

SATURDAY

7:00 - 7:45 PM

TBA

Ancient Greek Godz

Mike Beckers and Mark Nelson grew up in Midtown Omaha together, playing the Drums and Bass respectively. The heartbeat of all rock bands, they have got the blood pumping of many with Sonic Diversion, who opened for 7 Mary 3. They also opened for Great White. Teaming up with “Flyin Brian” Leichner, lead guitarist for The Ancient Greek Godz band, Brian played with Kris Lager opening for Joe Bonamassa, Brian was a founding member of Rough Cut, actively assisted the Blues Society and he was the guitarist on his brother’s jazz recording It’s About Time. Brian has played in many Omaha area bars, stages, amphitheaters, public parks, the Omaha Music Hall and most recently at the Festival of Angels in Roatan Honduras. The Ancient Greek Godz have been rocking together for more than 20 years.

SATURDAY

8:00 - 9:45 PM

TBA

Charm School Dropouts

Charm School Dropouts has spent the last fifteen years playing countless night clubs, street dances, weddings, and private parties all over Easten Nebraska and Western Iowa. Founded in 2008 by members Jerry Kuhn (drums) and Dave Westerholt (guitars and vocals), they were later joined by Jeff Moore (guitar and vocals), Brian Chandler (guitar and vocals), and Josh Blasingame (bass and vocals). Each member brings a wealth of experience, having played with many local acts over the last three decades. The main objective for this band has always been to create a fun party atmosphere with danceable music.

TO KEEP UP WITH CHARM SCHOOL DROPOUTS, VISIT THEM ONLINE.

SATURDAY

9:45 - 10:15 PM

TBA

FIREWORKS

SATURDAY

10:15 - midnight

TBA

The 70s Band

The 70’s Band was formed in 2013 with one thing in mind — To capture the sound of 70’s music as you and I heard it on the radio. A soundtrack to our youth-growing up the 70’s. Radio was basically the social media of the 70’s. Everyone tuned in to hear their favorite songs-DJ’s.

The 70’s Band includes a stellar lineup of musicians with years of experience. They’ve performed & sold out venues including record breaking attendances at Stinson Park.