Embarking on her first Minnesota tour, Ashtyn Barbaree is an internationally touring singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Fayetteville, Arkansas, known for her smoky yet ethereal vocals and passionate performances. Her latest self-produced album, Sent Through The Ceiling, debuted at #44 on the USA Alt-Country Charts in November 2024, blending folk, rock, pop, and country influences into songs of self-discovery and resilience. A two-time nominee for Americana Artist of the Year and a nominee for Acoustic Act of the Year at the Arkansas Country Music Awards, Barbaree has captivated audiences across the U.S. and Europe. Named Arkansas Music Ambassador by Arkansas State Tourism, she continues to expand her global reach while performing over 200 shows annually.

Mother Banjo is the stage name of Ellen Stanley, a New England-raised, Minneapolis-based singer-songwriter and banjo player known for her soulful blend of folk, bluegrass, and Americana music. Praised as “an outstanding poet” by Inside Bluegrass, she has been featured nationally on SiriusXM Radio and CMT.com. Her discography includes albums such as Swing Low (2007), The Sad and Found (2009), Stray Songs (2011), The Devil Hasn’t Won (2013), and Eyes on the Sky (2019). Beyond performing, Stanley is a prominent figure in the music community, serving as the host of Womenfolk Radio on KFAI and co-hosting the Back Catalog Listening Party podcast. Her contributions to the Americana genre and her support for fellow musicians have made her a respected and influential artist in the Minneapolis music scene.