Norwalk Music Festival Archives

2022 Norwalk Music Fest cancelled for health reasons

Kurt and Jo Hickman, promoters of the annual Norwalk Music Fest in Norwalk, OH, have regrettably announced the cancellation of their 2022 event. The July festival is a fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Association, and functions as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

In a note to supporters they shared this news:

Unfortunately, we have a medical issue within our family that doesn’t allow us to go forward with the festival.

In addition, we realize the cost of attending and participating in an event is expensive for families at this time. While we have done some great things in the past for the Alzheimer’s Association, we are cognizant of the fact that asking for additional dollars from our patients would prove difficult. We sincerely appreciate the thousands of dollars our attendees have donated in the past – your hearts have been very generous and we are extremely grateful.

Cancellation of the festival was by no means an easy decision and we apologize for any inconvenience. For those who have purchased tickets, you’ll receive a full refund.

No further details have been announced at this time.

Weekend scene at the 2021 Norwalk Music Festival

Caleb Daugherty Band at the 2021 Norwalk Music Festival – photo © Bill Warren

Where does one begin??? Exhausted, exhilarated, flabbergasted, but most of all – smiling! The 2021 edition of The Norwalk Music Festival is in the books. It is one to remember.

Let’s begin with the great bands that performed. It ranged from the high lonesome Stanley sound of the Bluegrass Mountaineers to the modern rock sound of the Journey tribute band New Frontiers and everything in between.

Friday was a day of festival favorite Ohio and Michigan bands. Included were Ottawa County, New Outlook, Kyle Jarvis and IIIrd Generation, The Michigan Mafia String Band, Crabgrass, and Bootleg. Ottawa County gives driving bluegrass with family harmony, while New Outlook presents top flight bluegrass, classic country, and Gospel music. Kyle Jarvis gives an audience straight-ahead bluegrass. “Foose” and the Michigan Mafia boys cover a lot of territory – everything from bluegrass to blues to classic rock. Crabgrass is a band with classic brother harmony and Bootleg presents classic country that gets the audience up and dancing. Friday was closed out by New Frontiers – a Journey tribute band who provided a broad appeal to ’80s and ’90s rockers.

Friday also saw a hotly contested cornhole tournament.

Saturday saw the return of New Outlook, Crabgrass, Kyle Jarvis, and the Michigan Mafia String Band. Larry Efaw and the Bluegrass Mountaineers and The Caleb Daugherty Band also performed. The Bluegrass Mountaineers were formed in the early ’50s by Larry’s Dad, “Beanpole” Efaw. They present the hard driving Stanley Brothers style of bluegrass. Caleb Daugherty is one of the up-and-coming stars. He gives an audience full measure of bluegrass and classic country sounds. He has songs climbing the bluegrass charts.

Saturday also saw “Gig-to-Go” bags given to youngsters from Fiddlin’ Dixie and Li’l Friends and the Southeast Michigan Bluegrass Music Association.

The highlight of the festival is the “Stump the Band” Alzheimer’s fundraiser. The always bubbly Terri Grannis MC’s the event. “Stump the Band” is sort of a band scramble format. Three bands were created from the bands at the festival and band one had members from The Bluegrass Mountaineers, New Outlook, Harbourtown, and Bootleg. Band two had members from Caleb Daugherty, Crabgrass, Ottawa County, Kyle Jarvis, and the Mountaineers. Band three had Harbourtown, New Outlook, and Caleb Daugherty members.

Audience members spent the weekend buying songs to stump the band. If they can sing the song, the band is free and clear. Stump the band and the band has to pay – but – as Terri let everyone know – musicians don’t have money. So, she calls on audience members to cover the band’s payment. The requested songs can be of any genre. They ranged from old bluegrass favorites to classic rock favorites to Baby Shark. The bands were stumped a number of times, and in about an hour and a half, over $6,100 was raised. Kudos go to Marshall Bluegrass Festival promoter, Jeremie Cole. He went thru the crowd collecting stump money. He collected a whopping $3,100 from the Friends of the Marshall Bluegrass Festival!

Several other raffle and 50/50 funds allowed festival promoters Kurt and Betty Jo Hickman to present a check for $8,794 to Alzheimer’s representative Julia Pechilvanos. This is more than double the 2019 donation!! Thank you Norwalk Festival lovers!!

Festival promoter Kurt Hickman and Crabgrass’ Andy Crabtree got Stormy Cushing to dance with them. Stormy was in an horrific car accident as a teenager. She is an inspiration to everyone she meets. She also won the lawnmower donated by employees of MTD. She told me that she had an older friend who needed a new lawnmower and she sure hoped she could win it!

A quote from Kurt when the dollars were totaled… “I’m blown away. There are no words.”

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2021 Norwalk Music Festival is underway

The Norwalk Music Festival in northern Ohio is dedicated to raising money for Alzheimer’s research, as promoter Kurt Hickman lost his father to this devastating disease. Bluegrass fans from several states gather for this event each year.

The stage show kicked off Thursday evening with Red, White, and Bluegrass from southeast Michigan. Led by Sam Costelli, this group provides a mix of old and new bluegrass. They play regularly at a number of Michigan and Ohio festivals.

Local band, Breakline, was up next. They play a little bluegrass, a little big band, a little swing, and make happy music. Festival promoter, Kurt Hickman, is the bass player along with Mike and Jerry Hipp.

The family harmony of the Ottawa County Bluegrass Band is always enjoyed by festival goers. “Papa” Joe Mitchell and his sons give full measure at every performance.

The evening closed with host band, Harbourtown. Former Blue Grass Boy, Dana Cupp, plays banjo with Kurt Hickman on bass, and Marshall Bluegrass Festival promoter, Jeremie Cole on guitar.

Friday will feature Harbourtown, New Outlook, Kyle Jarvis and IIIrd Generation, The Michigan Mafia String Band, Crabgrass, and country dance band, Bootleg. The evening will be closed out by New Frontiers – a Journey Tribute Band.

Saturday brings New Outlook, Larry Efaw and the Bluegrass Mountaineers, The Caleb Daugherty Band, Crabgrass, and the Michigan Mafia String Band. Prior to the supper break to morrow will be among the most fun events of the festival. Called “Stump the Band, three “band scramble” type bands have been assembled and audience members buy opportunities to ask for a song that may stump the band. Songs have ranges from old bluegrass favorites to Baby Shark. Over $4,000 was raised in the 2019 contest.

Come to the Fairgrounds in Norwalk, Ohio. You will hear some great music and have the opportunity to win some great prizes.

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Friday/Saturday at the Norwalk Music Festival

Friday dawned warm and sunny with threats of thunderstorms that never materialized at the 2019 Norwalk Music Festival. Early risers played bingo called by Betty Jo Hickman. Then was a day that showcased Ohio based bands.

MC, Earl ”The Pearl” Workman, greeted everyone and brought host band, Harbourtown, to the Norwalk stage. Harbourtown was founded by the late Tony Hickman. Son, Kurt, heads the band and promotes this festival. The band is perhaps one of Ohio/Michigan’s most seasoned band of young men. They are favorites everywhere they perform.

Next up was Out of Mind Bluegrass. This is a young band fronted by husband and wife team, Brandon and Lisa Fox. Nine year old Blake Fox joined the band on both of their sets singing and picking mandolin. Keep an eye out for this young man.

Ottawa County Bluegrass was up next. These guys have played music together for many years. They also had a youngster join them with her fiddle. She spent time on stage with the band at last year’s festival. Ottawa County provided a full measure of family harmony.

New band, Crabgrass took the stage next. This band is comprised of accomplished young musicians. Tucker, son of banjo player Andy Crabtree, joined the band for a few tunes. He aspires to play banjo and dobro – just like – guess who??

Caney Creek Hit the stage next. Caney Creek plays music in the Stanley style. There are many years of experience in these four guys. See them if you get the chance.

Perhaps the most inspirational person at the festival was a young lady named Stormy. Stormy was in a tragic auto accident that has left her wheelchair bound. Her body may be in the wheelchair, but her spirit flies high. She likes to dance and her father gets her up a helps her dance. She knows the words to all of the songs and sings along. We can all take a lesson in goodness from this young lady.

Classic country music was on tap with Bootleg. They got Zellie’s Opry House Production and Promotion’s Keith and Terri Grannis up and cutting a rug!

Acoustic Edge closed out Friday with a set of lively honky tonk music.

Saturday morning brought the kids out for Fiddlin’ Dixie with Friends program. The kids are given experiences in many aspects of music. They write a little and Dixie plays what they write. They have the opportunity to handle ukuleles, mandolins, fiddles, guitars, banjos, and a dobro.

MC Earl Workman gave the big hula hoop a whirl before getting to his official duties. A cornhole tournament was the first order of the day. It is a Saturday staple at Norwalk.

Larry Efaw and the Bluegrass Mountaineers opened the stage show. Larry woke up Saturday morning to no voice. He recruited his former banjo player and singer, Chris Smith, to help out. Larry does the Stanley style of music that Chris does with his band, Caney Creek. Larry had a brother/sister team from the Wright family with him. They sang a duet that showed off their sibling harmony.

Danny Paisley and the Southern Grass did their first set. This is one of the historic bands in bluegrass. The original band was Paisleys and Lundys, with Danny’s dad. It is now the younger generations of Paisleys and Lundys. Danny describes his music as “old timey.” It is the best possible description.

Hammertowne followed Danny. They have become one of the powerhouse bands. They are a good combination of great musicians and songwriters.

The highlight of the festival has come about due to a scramble to replace a last minute cancellation at last year’s festival. It is called “Stump the Band,” and is perhaps the most fun and important part of the weekend. Lori Lambert took charge of this program. She spent the weekend selling tickets that allowed attendees to choose up to three songs to “Stump the Band.” She had earlier contacted band members and asked them to participate. She threw their names in a hat and created four bands. The original idea was that anytime the band was stumped, they would pay a dollar for each band member. Dave Carroll said: “This is gonna be easy. I’m always stumped!” MC Terri Grannis said that she knew bluegrass musicians didn’t have a dollar and invited audience members to sponsor each stump. The stumps and the money began to roll in.

When all was said and done Kurt and Betty Jo Hickman presented a check for $4,079.00 to Alzheimer’s Association representative Pam Myers. A big thank you has to go to Jeremie Cole and the Friends of the Marshall Bluegrass Festival for donating over one third of the total. The bluegrass family showed their generosity yet again.

The stage show resumed with Kyle Jarvis and 3^rd Generation. These young men have put together an enduring sound. Saturday marked the release of their self-titled new release.

Tony Holt and the Wildwood Valley Boys brought the familiar sounds of the Boys From Indiana to the Norwalk stage. The lineup presented its own history. Tony and Tom Feller are Holt lineage from the Boys From Indiana. Stanley Efaw from the Bluegrass Mountaineers. Wes Miller, son of Jimmy Miller of the Dixie Gospelaires rounded out the Ohio/Indiana connections.

Lukewarm and the Not-So-Hots gave the audience a big dose of honky tonk music. Pay no attention to the kick drummer behind the curtain! Thanks Blair!

Danny Paisley closed out the festival with great old time bluegrass music.

Danny and Kurt were both all smiles after a fun day.

Please join Candidpix.info at the Marshall Bluegrass Festival July 24-27.

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Norwalk Music Festival Independence Day bluegrass parade

The 7^th Norwalk Music Festival is in full swing. Promoters Kurt and Betty Jo Hickman have set up this festival as a 501(c)(3) to benefit Alzheimer’s research. The festival is held at the Huron County Fairgrounds in Norwalk, Ohio over the 4^th of July weekend.

Campers began arriving early in the week and GBS Sound was hard at work preparing the stage.

Thursday (Independence Day) was free festival day. It kicked off with a 4 mile run/walk with hundreds of participants.

The Norwalk Independence Day parade was next on the docket. Host band, Harbourtown, once again rode their float and played the entirety of the parade route. Festival publicist, Terri Grannis, let the parade watchers know all about the festival and accompanying activities. All of the parade watchers were in high spirits in the early summer heat!

The parade ended back at the fairgrounds and the music got started. First up was Michigan based Red, White, & Bluegrass. Band leader, Sam Costelli, has assembled a group of veteran musicians who deliver great bluegrass music. The band plays many of the local festivals in Michigan and Ohio.

Ohio’s own Ottawa County Bluegrass was up next. The band is anchored by Joe Sr., Joe Jr., and Dennis Mitchell. The bass player, Vern Brink, has been “adopted” by the Mitchell family. They make top notch family harmonies. They also play many Michigan and Ohio festivals.

Kyle Jarvis and 3^rd Generation is a new Ohio band of young, but seasoned musicians. They will be releasing their first project on Saturday at the festival.

Edgar Loudermilk closed out the music portion of the show. Luke Gitchel filled in for the ailing Jeff Autry. Edgar spoke with Jeff on the phone and gave the audience an update on Jeff’s recovery. Jeff is walking, talking, and beginning rehab. Edgar asked everyone to keep Jeff in their prayers.

The days activities closed out with the Norwalk fireworks show at the fairgrounds.

The remainder of the weekend promises lots of great music and activities. Friday is “Ohio bands” day with all of the bands based in Ohio.

Saturday brings Larry Efaw, Danny Paisley, Hammertowne, Tony Holt, Kyle Jarvis, and Luke Gitchel to the festival stage. The highlight will be Pickin’ on Alzheimer’s “Stump the Band” contest. It is a band scramble format where audience members have requested songs to try to stump the band. The contest raised upwards of a thousand dollars last year.

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Weekend photos from the Norwalk Music Festival

Instrument petting zoo for kids at the Norwalk Music Festival – photo © Bill Warren

Friday saw bright sunshine and comfortable temperatures for the second day of stage shows at the Norwalk Music Festival. Bingo was the first order of business in the morning.

The stage show opened with Crabgrass, headed by veteran musician Andy Crabtree. They provide a broad range of bluegrass music. Host band, Harbourtown was up next. They have become festival favorites throughout the region.

New Outlook is another Ohio band that has gained a lot of attention throughout the region. Band leaders brad and Lori Lambert are also the owners of Park Street Music. They bring the traveling portion of the store to many festivals. Brad spends quite a bit of time doing some setup work for instruments that need attention. He has helped keep the Southeast Michigan Bluegrass Music Association’s “Instrument Petting Zoo” in good order. The Caleb Daugherty Band is a new band that gives an audience full measure of bluegrass and classic country music. Acoustic Edge has graced the Norwalk stage for a least the past three years. They provide classic country music to an appreciative audience.

Saturday at Norwalk can only be described as being a day of perfect weather for both the audience and the performers. The morning started with the Fiddlin’ Dixie and Little Friends program. Dixie provides many activities for kids from “1 to 101.” She includes the SMBMA instrument petting zoo in her program. Kids get a chance handle all of the instruments that are in a bluegrass band. Promoter and “Big Kid,” Kurt Hickman, joined the kids for a picture.

Breakline returned to the stage to open the stage show. Traditional, Stanley style band, Caney Creek, hit the stage with their high energy show. Caney Creek is the host band for the Mansfield Jamfest in late August. Band member, Mitch Meadors, is starting a new festival called Mitch and Cindy’s Jamboree in Cortland, Ohio on the weekend of July 20^th. The Kevin Prater Band followed. Kevin is a long time veteran of bluegrass music. He has brought together a very strong band that leaves the crowd wanting more. Volume Five made it’s first appearance at Norwalk. They are the current IBMA Emerging Artist of the Year. Glen Harrell put this band together after a stint with Marty Raybon.

A lot of fun started before the supper break. The special program called Pickin’ on Alzheimer’s began. The program is the brainchild of Lori Lambert. Two bands were put together from groups at the festival. Glen Harrell, Kevin Prater, and members of their bands participated. Ottawa County, Crabgrass, New Outlook, and Harbourtown were also represented. Lori and her helpers spent the festival getting a list of “Stump the Band” songs for a donation of five dollars. The band members were going to pay a dollar for each “Stump.” Teri Grannis, a bubbly MC from Michigan managed the event. The first song pulled stumped the band. She set the tone for the program by paying the bands fee. The audience jumped into this and started paying the band fees. Both bands took the stage and gave a stirring rendition of Amazing Grace. They were joined by Terry Lee Goffee who does a Johnny Cash Tribute. Promoter, Kurt Hickman and his wife Betty Jo, wrote a check to the Alzheimer’s Association for over $1,600 from this effort!!

Terry Lee Goffee closed out the festival with an excellent set of Johnny Cash music.

The Norwalk Music Festival is one that should go on every picker’s list.

The Candidpix cameras will spend the last week of July at the Marshall Bluegrass Festival and the first week of August at the Milan Bluegrass Festival. Come and visit with us!

More from Norwalk Music Festival 2018

The Norwalk Music Festival started with the 4^th of July parade. A giant American flag hanging from a crane overlooks the festival.

Earl “the Pearl” Workman is the MC in control of the stage. He brought Anthony and the Ramblers on stage to open the show. Two of the members of the Ramblers learned at the feet of Larry Efaw. Anthony played guitar and bass at different times as part of Larry Efaw and the Bluegrass Mountaineers. They give a full dose of Stanley style mountain bluegrass. Next up was Breakline, the brainchild of promoter Kurt Hickman. It is a swing trio that injects diversity into the Norwalk show.

Ottawa County is a band that combines sibling harmony of the Mitchell brothers along with their father. They will have the honor of playing with the Cleveland Symphony later this month. Out of Mind Bluegrass closed out the show. This is a young band that can effortlessly make a jump from Rank Stranger to Nellie Kane and make the listener sit up and take notice.

All of these bands are Ohio-based bands. They do their state proud.

Friday and Saturday bring more top notch bluegrass to Norwalk, including Volume Five on Saturday.

Norwalk Music Festival starts in Ohio

The Norwalk Music Festival kicks of on Thursday evening at the fairgrounds in Norwalk, Ohio. Early arrivals got to see both the 4^th of July parade and the fireworks at the fairgrounds. Host band, Harbourtown, entertained parade watchers from a float, and promoter Kurt Hickman says that he is looking for this to be the biggest and best festival so far. Jamming has been pretty much non-stop since Tuesday.

Since Blue Mafia will be unable to perform this weekend, Lori Lambert and Kurt Hickman have come up with a fun way to fill their spot, and raise money for a worthwhile cause. Tony Hickman, Kurt’s father, died from Alzheimer’s disease and Kurt has made a donation each year that he has run the festival in Tony’s name. In his honor, and to increase what they can donate this year, he and Lori will put together two all-star bands consisting of members of the bands at the festival. They will fill Blue Mafia’s time slots, and play a bluegrass version of “Stump the Band” with the audience.

Members of the crowd will have the opportunity to have any song they request played by the band on stage for a $5 donation, and the titles will be drawn from a bucket. If they complete the song, they move on to the next, but if they can’t do it, each band member must donate another dollar to the pot.

There will also be a donation booth on site staffed by musicians performing at the festival. Fans will get an extra opportunity to visit with their favorite pickers, in exchange for a small donation for Alzheimer’s research. Kurt and Lori are hoping to raise an additional $500 over and above their usual donation this year.

Come on out to the Norwalk fairgrounds to see local bands, regional bands, and national touring bands and then hang around for some great jamming.

Saturday photos from Norwalk ’17

Saturday was a perfect day for an outdoor bluegrass festival in Norwalk, OH. The sun was shining, and the temperature was just right.

Vertical Limit, a Norwalk-based band, opened the day’s entertainment with straight forward, traditional bluegrass music. Edgar Loudermilk followed. Edgar and Jeff Autry have created a good team and the band is in more demand every day.

Caney Creek is an Ohio band that has burst on the scene with the mountain sounds of Ralph Stanley and the strong traditions of bluegrass music. They are a group of well-seasoned musicians that are becoming a force to be reckoned with. Acoustic Edge has played at several of the Norwalk shows. They are a country cover band with good vocals.

Hosts Jo and Kurt Hickman thanked the crowd and the community for their support of the festival, and its charitable goals for the Alzheimers Association. The show was closed out by Volume Five. They are one of the most in-demand bands on the festival scene.

Norwalk Music Festival number six is scheduled for July 5, 6, and 7, 2018.

Friday at Norwalk Music Festival

Friday morning at the 2017 Norwalk Music Festival saw early thunderstorms that cleared out by mid-morning. The storms stayed south of Norwalk and the Huron County Fairgrounds the rest of the day.

Out of the Blue opened the stage show and kept the crowd on the edge of its collective seat. Ohio’s own New Outlook always brings a great sound to a stage and their top flight music store to the festival goers. Tony and Dara Wray once again brought Blue Mafia to Norwalk. They provide great harmonies.

Host band Harbourtown put in their second appearance of the weekend. At this point I need to apologize to promoter Kurt Hickman – yes Kurt with a “K” and not a “C”. I have known Kurt for 20+ years and should know better!

Steve Gulley and New Pinnacle closed out the show. They have become a “must see” band.