Karla Bonoff, born and raised in Southern California, was a songwriter by the age of fifteen. She and her sister Lisa were writing songs and playing as a duo titled “The Daughters of Chester P” named after their father, Dr. Chester Paul Bonoff. She had already fallen in love with the guitar and studied with Frank Hamilton of the famous folk group, The Weavers. By 16, Karla and her sister Lisa auditioned for Elektra Records. An 11-song demo [recorded by Doors’ engineer Bruce Botnick] was recorded but no deal came of this first effort.
Karla’s legacy as a writer and perseverance as a performer are spoken best in a Billboard Magazine review of Karla’s “All My Life” recording. “Long before Alanis and Jewel, there was a breed of singer/songwriters whose earthly anthems of soul-searching, heartache and joy touched souls in a way few can muster today.”
“The evening’s real star… Nina Gerber usually says little and lets her guitar do the talking. She is a not-so-underground legend. Her wide-ranging folk-country-jazz-blues stylings have backed dozens of performers on stage and record.”
.:. Oakland Tribune .:.
James Mongomery, Paper In Fire and Crushed Velvet Outdoor Fest!
Get ready to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday with a massive party on the water. We’re taking things outside for an afternoon of music, food, and lake breezes. Our big top along the the Norton Reservoir is the place to be this summer. Join us for an unforgettable outdoor festival that will bring people together, showcasing the best of what we love about summer celebrations.
Three incredible Bands in One Day!
This outdoor festival is not just about music; it’s a gathering of friends and family enjoying the summer vibes and community spirit. First up, we’re welcoming back a local legend: James Montgomery. If you know New England music, you know James. He’s a blues powerhouse who’s played with everyone from Muddy Waters to Aerosmith. His harmonica playing is iconic, and we’re thrilled to have him back on the MAC stage, this time outdoors. As you enjoy the performances, take in the beautiful scenery of the lake, making this outdoor festival a perfect way to celebrate the season.Each band will contribute to the lively atmosphere of this outdoor festival where everyone is welcome to dance and sing along. If you love that classic “Heartland Rock” sound, you’re going to love Paper In Fire. This six-piece band is a dedicated tribute to John Mellencamp. They nail the grit and soul of hits like “Small Town” and “Jack & Diane.” They were a huge hit last summer and we’re thrilled to have them back. This outdoor festival is a chance to savor delicious food, refreshing drinks, and great company while enjoying the breathtaking views. Rounding out the bill is Crushed Velvet, a high-energy 70s rock band coming up from Providence. They specialize in the era of big guitars and FM radio classics. They don’t just play the hits; they capture that vintage vibe that makes you want to get up and move and sing-along.
Food, Drinks, and Reservoir Views
We’ll have local food trucks on-site, so come hungry. We’re also have our bar booth right outside the tent. Grab a cold drink, find a spot in the shade of the tent, or enjoy sunny views over the lake. Be sure to invite your friends and family to this outdoor festival, creating memories that you will cherish for years to come.
What You Need to Know
The event is happening rain or shine under the big tent. Make sure to bring your own lawn chairs so you have a comfortable spot to kick back and enjoy the show.
The Lion Sisters are a sibling duo from New Hampshire whose music is defined by the natural synchronicity that comes from growing up and creating together. With Josi on fiddle and vocals, and Lily on guitar and vocals, their tight harmonies and effortless onstage connection form the core of their sound and set them apart in the modern acoustic landscape.
Their music blends folk and bluegrass with Irish fiddle, vintage country, and subtle pop and rock influences, creating a style that feels both rooted and refreshingly original. Rather than fitting into a single genre, The Lion Sisters have shaped a musical identity that is distinctly their own—warm, melodic, and contemporary while honoring traditional acoustic foundations. Their debut EP, released in January 2025, consists of six original songs recorded by Nashville music producer Jim Prendergast.
Raised on a small family farm surrounded by animals and open fields, the sisters draw inspiration from the natural world and their rural upbringing. The farm remains an authentic backdrop to their creative life, adding depth to their songwriting and visual storytelling.
This past year, they performed throughout New England, at festivals such as Ossipee Valley Music Festival and Joe Val Bluegrass Festival as well as numerous concert series and coffeehouses. Supported by a close-knit family team, they bring professionalism, authenticity, and a clear artistic vision to every stage.
With their signature sister harmonies and genre-blending sound, The Lion Sisters continue to emerge as a notable new voice in today’s folk and acoustic music scene.
From the creators of “Piano Men – The Music of Elton and Billy”, “Classic Rock Orchestra” and “IMAGINE – The Beatles Solo Years.”
NEW YORK STATE OF MIND presents music from the entire spectrum of Billy Joel’s incredible career.
Featuring Joe Boucher on Piano and Vocals with orchestrations by Christopher Eastburn.
Accompanied by a five-piece band and a classical string quartet.
Brooks Williams is one of those select few ‘’how on earth does he do it?” artists. He can sing. He can write. And, man oh man, can he play guitar.
Cambridge UK-based, Statesboro, Georgia US-born, admired by both listeners and fellow musicians, Brooks Williams has been a leading light on the acoustic music scene for three decades. FATEA says his performances show “the greatest level of true expertise.”
Listed as one of the ‘Top 100 Acoustic Guitarists,’ his guitar skills are evident as he effortlessly slides in and out of folk, blues and country. “He was playing Americana before it had been given the name,” says CMP . “How soulful a solo guitarist can be when he has talent, taste and astonishing technique,” writes Blues Revue.
Williams left his Georgia home in his late teens and moved to Boston at the height of the 1990’s acoustic music renaissance. He did his apprenticeship in the bars and clubs in New York and New England and cut his teeth supporting artists like Shawn Colvin, Chris Smither, Rory Block, Leo Kottke, Odetta, Billy Bragg and Taj Mahal.
His first album, North From Statesboro, caught the attention of The Washington Post and National Public Radio, which set the ball rolling and Williams never looked back. People took notice and acoustic music radio played him from the very beginning, including WUMB-FM in Boston, where Williams is one of their Top 100 Artists Of All-Time.
In subsequent years he has released a staggering 35 recordings in 36 years for labels like Green Linnet Records, Solid Air Records, Signature Sounds and Reveal, including Brooks’ Acoustic, his latest, which At The Barrier calls a “stunning collection from the chocolate-voiced, guitar maestro.”
Southern Rail returns to the Garden! Get a dose of great bluegrass to warm you up before the holidays!
Southern Rail’s performances are high-energy, exuberant fun, with riveting harmonies, irrepressible humor, and sparkling banjo, mandolin, and guitar solo work. Southern Rail celebrates over three decades of performing with the long-awaited release of their 12th CD, “Voices in the Wind.”
Over the years, Southern Rail’s recordings, featuring their prolific songwriting, have graced Bluegrass Unlimited’s Top Thirty Singles Chart for a combined total of 32 months, climbing to #11. One of Southern Rail’s earlier CD’s, a special Bluegrass Gospel compilation entitled Glory Train, was nominated for Best Gospel Recording of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association. Southern Rail has been selected by the New England Foundation for the Arts to be included in their prestigious Touring Roster.
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Alex Radus.
Award-winning singer-songwriter from PA known for his “genre whiplash” style, with an eclectic mix of Americana, folk, swing, and blues.
You might remember Alex Radus from his memorable but brief performance with Laurie MacAllister at the Rose Garden in 2026.
Alex Radus is hailed as a “versatile crooner” and “skillful fretman”, but his songwriting takes center stage. Known affectionately for his unique brand of “genre whiplash”, Alex pairs whimsical and poignant storytelling with an eclectic mix of Americana, folk, swing and blues. John Gorka calls Alex Radus a “remarkable artist…an excellent guitarist, songwriter and singer…worth going out of your way to hear.”
Alex was selected as a 2024 Falcon Ridge Folk Fest Emerging Artist and voted a “Most Wanted” artist to return to the Main Stage in 2025. His most recent release, Where Liberty Lives, reached #10 on the FAI Folk Radio charts. Where Liberty Lives “is the kind of song that reminds you what folk music was always meant to do. Timely, tender, and absolutely necessary.” (Rock the Pigeon Music Blog)
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On A Winter’s Night. Patty Larkin, John Gorka, Cliff Eberhardt, Lucy Kaplansky. Presenting the Reunion Tour of “On A Winter’s Night” from veteran singer-songwriters who remain among the brightest stars of the singer-songwriter movement for the past three decades. In 1994, Christine Lavin gathered them together, along with folk and Americana artists, to showcase music of the Winter Season on the now-classic On A Winter’s Night CD, followed by several years of touring collaborations. These artists have released dozens of recordings and toured steadily through the decades, with fond memories of their touring days together. The winter season is once again celebrated by these unique and popular performers, reunited by popular demand. Photo: Laurie Glassman
DIANE ZEIGLER
Singer/Guitarist/Songwriter and mom of three, Diane Zeigler is making a return after many years. She last played the Rose Garden in 2001, and we’re pleased to get her back!
Zeigler emerged on the Boston folk scene in the early 90s and quickly established herself as an important voice in the era’s new singer/songwriter movement. Her debut CD on Rounder Records was released in 1995 to critical acclaim. It also coincided with the birth of her first child, followed by a growing family.
ERIC BEHR – Winner of 2026 Rose Garden Performing Songwriter Competition
Based in Riverside, Rhode Island, Eric Behr is a seasoned singer-songwriter whose musical journey has been decades in the making. First picking up the guitar at age 11 after hearing the Kingston Trio, his trajectory was cemented in 1963 when he watched Joan Baez introduce Bob Dylan at the Newport Folk Festival. Though he studied acting at Goddard College alongside peers like David Mamet and William H. Macy, Behr spent much of his career running a successful accounting firm before retiring in 2021.
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