Cooper-Young Festival 2018: Music Lineup

Main Stage

Tony Manard, 11:15 a.m.

A songwriting, storytelling, guitar picking fool from Memphis, Tony Manard teams up with an eclectic cast of talented friends (Stephen Chopek, Alice Hasen, Carlos Gonzalez, Vinnie Manard, Brian Mulhearn, Jimmy Stephens, Jr., and Cecil Yancy) to convene theBig Ole Band.” Blues, country, soul, and a bit of rock-and-roll get thrown in the pot with Tony’s original songs for a uniquely Memphis kind of fun. See what the folks who have caught them at Lafayette’s and Sounds Good Memphis have been talking about! TonyManard.com

Rice Drewry Collective, 12:15 p.m.

The Rice Drewry Collective is a collection of veteran musicians versatile enough to play original material mixed with a variety of new and old cover tunes. From classic rock to acoustic driven roots rock, there’s a little something for everyone! Reverbnation.com/ricedrewry

Nick Black Band, 1:15 p.m.

Fresh off the release of his new, critically-acclaimed single “One Night Love,” Nick Black is quickly becoming one of the most recognizable names in the pop-soul music scene. He has been featured on “Muscle Shoals to Music Row,” a concert series filmed at legendary Fame Recording Studios in Muscle Shoals, as well as on Americana and Roots channel DittyTV as one of their featured artists. Nick and his band are now touring nationally in support of their new music. Nickblackmusic.com

Jason Lee McKinney, 2:15 p.m.

Sacred, Southern, Soul, the triple EP release by the Jason Lee McKinney Band is bound to leave you with a newfound sense of identity, comfort, and southern spunk. International award-winning songwriter McKinney partners with Barry Strauser and Billy Wright once again for his fifth release to create the EPs’ vibrant character and musical excellence. Their dynamic partnership has earned the band a top 10 hit in Texas, an international Armed Forces tour later this year, and worldwide recognition. Together in this new project, they leave a collective signature on the songs that is unmistakable. Jasonleemckinneyband.com

The Fast Mothers, 3:15 p.m.

We are so humbled to be a part of this city’s soul and proud to represent Memphis music. The Fast Mothers will be debuting songs from their upcoming album due out late October as well as all your favorite Fast Mothers songs. Help celebrate this city’s soul and always support LOCAL. Thefastmothers.com

FreeWorld, 4:15 p.m.

FreeWorld has been an independent, regionally touring, ever-evolving, Memphis based musical ensemble since 1987. Drawing from influences as broad-based as Booker T. & the M.G.s, John Coltrane, Frank Zappa, the Grateful Dead, Steely Dan, and the Meters, the band has remained a consistently entertaining and informed voice on the Memphis music scene since the group’s inception. Featuring members that range in age from 20 to 87-year-old jazz saxophone legend Dr. Herman Green (who has performed &/or recorded with the likes of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, B.B. King, Lionel Hampton, Louis Armstrong, Phineas & Calvin Newborn, Bob Weir, Stephen Perkins and a host of others during his 72 year professional music career), FreeWorld is literally ‘new school meets old school’, and has been variously described as “the best of Memphis, New Orleans, and San Francisco all rolled into one fresh and excitingly unique musical experience!” FreeWorldJams.com

Fuzzy Jeffries and the Kings of Memphis, 5:15 p.m.

Guitarist, songwriter and producer Kevin “Fuzzy” Jeffries was born in Chicago Heights, Illinois, where he discovered his love for music playing around with the xylophone then moving on to guitar. He recorded with many artists in the early 1970’s, taking in as much knowledge and information as he could. Determination and dedication led him to record and perform with famous artists such as Pop Staples and the Staple Singers, Artie “Blues Boy” White, Otis Clay, and many more. Moving to Memphis, Fuzzy brought along those same qualities to recording and performing with great blues and Southern soul performers such as Little Milton, J Blackfoot, Bobby Rush, Bobby “Blue” Bland, and Sir Charles Jones. Fuzzy eventually discovered he had his own unique style and sound and decided to put out his own CD, Fuzzy Rocking the Blues. Fuzzy started his own band with his longtime friends and family of 20-plus years, Fuzzy and The Kings of Memphis, a hard-hitting, rhythm-making group that gives you the feel of the true rocking blues. Fuzzyjeffries.com

Memphis Grizzlies Stage

Maddie Caldwell, 12:30 p.m.

Fresh off her summer of booking all ages shows at Growlers, this teenage singer-songwriter is emerging as the new face of the Memphis anti-folk scene. Taking influences from growing up punk and a strong admiration for Loretta Lynn and Josephine Baker, Maddie’s music is a melodic homage to an inner-city kid’s life via banjo and ukulele. Maddwell.bandcamp.com

The Ellie Badge, 1:30 p.m.

The Ellie Badge is solo artist/multi-instrumentalist Jeremiah Mathews, but the dreamscapes he creates are far beyond that of a full band. He is currently performing a weekly residency at Crosstown Concourse as well as other events across the Magic: The Gathering universe. TheEllieBadge.bandcamp.com

Switchblade Kid, 2:30 p.m.

When not working with numerous bands at Cooper-Young’s 5 & Dime Recording, producer Harry Koniditsiotis leads the post-modern outfit Switchblade Kid. Currently he’s working on the New Orleans comic book documentary “Who the Hell is Alfred Medley?” and the accompanying soundtrack, due out next year. TheSwitchbladeKid.bandcamp.com

The Rough Hearts, 3:30 p.m.

The Rough Hearts are a mixture of rock, punk, pop music located in Memphis, consisting of Josh Rawlings (bass), Bubba John Bonds (drums), Will Branson (lead, rhythm guitar), and Kat Maxwell (rhythm guitar, vocals). Each member brings their own special touch to the band’s songs. They have been compared to 90’s rock, which is not a bad thing to them. As long as the songs carry out a little attitude — positive or negative — everyone seems pleased. Some of the songs have messages about heartfelt happenings past and present, world problems, and just some silly relationship situations. They try and stay away from what’s popular on the hit list at the moment, staying focus more on what feels natural to them. Reverbnation.com/theroughhearts

Negro Terror, 4:30 p.m.

Negro Terror hit over 50,000 views and climbing on You Tube with their Beale Street Caravan video “Voice of Memphis,” taking the Skinhead/Oi anthem and turning it on its head Memphis style. Featured on Afropunk, their new album “Paranoia” drops Sept 11, 2018.

Negroterror.com

First Congo Stage

Me and Leah, 12:15 p.m.

In mid-2015, the musical duo Me & Leah formed on a Midtown Memphis porch. Jeff Hulett is a member of indie-rock band Snowglobe and co-founder of Rock For Love, the annual music festival that serves as a fund raiser for Church Health in Memphis. Leah T. Keys is the creator and producer of Spillit Storytelling and co-owner of Amurica. After a long hiatus from performing music, Leah picked up the banjo and rekindled her love of vocal harmonies. Me & Leah released their self-titled debut album in July 2017. Facebook.com/meandleah/

Shufflegrit, 1:15 p.m.

Shufflegrit has been playing its own brand of folk-abilly music around Memphis since 2011. Todd Nations, John Busby, and Robbie Robertson typically play as an acoustic trio, but often add former Giant Bear members Robert Humphries and Jeff White for a full band. Blending influences from rockabilly, alt-country, folk and Americana, Shufflegrit will keep your toes tappin’ and delight your ears! Facebook.com/shufflegrit/

Low Country Nationals, 2:15 p.m.

The Low Country Nationals are Jason Oattis, Jesse Robertson, and Jess Norwood, all proud third generation Memphis musicians. The trio started playing together in the mid-90’s, starting out in hardcore bands before evolving into jam bands and rock music. The combination of musical experiences make the Low Country Nationals’ sound a unique one. From traditional hill country blues to rock-and-roll, with unique originals, the Low Country Nationals have a wide variety of musical genres to catch the ear. Reverbnation.com/thelowcountrynationals

Land Divided, 3:15 p.m.

After an incredible, whirlwind year, which saw them play locally and on the road with national touring acts, this young group of pure rock talent has more than established themselves as an up-and-coming force on the Memphis music scene. With their eclectic mix of classic rock covers, and their dominating stage presences, they will take this opportunity in front of their hometown crowd to debut their original music and classic Memphis rock sound. Don’t miss the chance to say you heard it first! Facebook.com/LandDivided-712577768947824/

Rally Owls, 4:15 p.m.

Hailing from Memphis, the Rally Owls came together as many other bands have — via Craigslist. Bass player Zach Riddick posted an ad seeking musicians to start an indie synth pop band in late August 2017. After a few complications, the band’s roster was finalized in early 2018: a Latin jazz-oriented drummer, a twee pop keys player that happens to rock a keytar, a Brandon Flowers-esque pop singer, a blues/rock guitarist obsessed with Oasis, and a metal head bassist with a penchant for wearing black. The stylistic diversity contributes significantly to the uniqueness of the band’s sound. Facebook.com/rallyowls/