Mike Thomas Band
Mike Thomas’ music has been best described as ‘the grit of Americana storytelling with the undeniable groove of country radio’ by The Boot. Known for his thoughtful lyrics and commanding voice, Thomas has received praise from Americana Highways, Saving Country Music, The Bluegrass Situation, Glide Magazine and more. His songwriting and sound often draw comparisons to Rodney Crowell, John Mellencamp, Tom Petty & Townes Van Zandt, artists whose writing is raw, real and rooted in place. That same spirit drives Thomas’ work, especially on the breakout single, “Hell in High Water,” which he wrote in response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. Released quickly and without traditional promotion, the song went viral, amassing more than 4 million streams in its first six months. He followed with “A Different Story,” a gospel-tinged tribute to faith and redemption. The single, which was his first sent to country radio, debuted as the #4 most streamed single and climbed all the way to #84 on the Music Row Chart despite a very modest promotional budget. Thomas just released his latest single, “Stop the World,” featuring the powerful vocals of Joanna Cotten (Eric Church band) and will be releasing a full-length album later this year.
Fruition
For nearly two decades, Fruition have built their genre-bending version of American roots music around harmony — not just the vocal interplay of the band’s three songwriters, but the deeper harmony created between five friends who’ve spent years on the road together. On their eighth album, Something More, those bonds grow into something more collaborative than ever before. Produced by Grammy winner Tucker Martine, Something More finds Fruition stepping into an era defined as much by exploration as craft. Fueled by melody-driven songwriting, analog tones, and atmospheric textures, the album expands the band’s melting pot of rock, folk, pop, soul, and Americana into something more expansive and fully realized. Much of the songwriting emerged from collaborative sessions between Jay Cobb Anderson, Kellen Asebroek, and Mimi Naja, adding a shared perspective to songs rooted in reflection, uncertainty, acceptance, and growth. “This record is us trusting each other more than we ever have — as humans and as musicians,” says Anderson. “It’s the sound of us leaning into each other.” From the street corners of the Pacific Northwest to stages like Red Rocks Amphitheatre and Great American Music Hall, Fruition have grown their career night by night and song by song. Something More feels like the next chapter: a collection of lessons absorbed, trust deepened, and a band fully embracing what they’ve become.
The Ghetto Cowboy Tour
Mike Zito
From his childhood in St. Louis to the global blues-rock circuit, Mike Zito has always kept it real. He began playing guitar at age five and by his late teens was a fixture on the St. Louis music scene. For Zito, honesty, authenticity, and integrity aren’t just part of the brand—they’re the foundation. “I have nothing to hide; it seems my honesty is what people relate to most,” he once told Vintage Guitar. Zito is a powerhouse in modern blues rock. He’s an artist whose gritty guitar work, deeply human songwriting, and magnetic stage presence have made him a defining force in the genre. From smoke-filled bars in St. Louis to major festival stages around the world, he has built a career on emotional honesty, fearless playing, and an unshakable commitment to the song. In 2025, Zito claimed the Blues Music Award for Blues Rock Album of the Year with Life Is Hard, a deeply personal and sonically bold record that cements his place among the genre’s elite. The win followed his 2024 sweep, where he was honored with Blues Rock Album of the Year and Blues Rock Artist of the Year, reflecting both his creative output and his relentless touring schedule. A lifelong road warrior, Zito has spent decades sharpening his craft onstage, channeling the sounds of classic blues, rock, soul, and Americana into something unmistakably his own. His live shows are equal parts fire and heart: searing solos, powerhouse grooves, and storytelling that invites audiences straight into his world. Zito also plays a major role behind the scenes as a respected producer and co-founder of Gulf Coast Records, championing fellow artists and helping shape some of the most exciting new music in today’s blues landscape. Onstage and on record, Zito currently moves through three distinct but connected lanes. Under his own name, Mike Zito delivers the raw, personal, guitar-driven blues rock that fans across the world have come to love. He also co-leads Blood Brothers with Albert Castiglia, a high-energy, guitar-slinging band built on friendship, shared history, and a near-telepathic musical connection. Their chemistry has earned praise from some of the biggest names in blues: as Joe Bonamassa put it, “Mike and Albert have a special chemistry together when they plug in and play that few have. They finish each other’s sentences musically… Great tunes, great people, great hang!” Albert himself adds, “Mike is the hardest working man in show business and a force as a singer, guitarist, producer, and songwriter. There’s nothing the man can’t do. He’s also got a heart of gold, raising money for countless causes. He’s a credit to the blues rock genre!” And then there’s Bill Murray & His Blood Brothers, a more theatrical, humor-driven extension of the Blood Brothers universe letting Zito and the band lean into joy, storytelling, and over-the-top rock ’n’ roll while staying anchored in the same serious musical fire. Whether he’s fronting his own band, locking in with Albert in Blood Brothers, or steering the wild heart of Bill Murray & His Blood Brothers, Mike Zito is always chasing the same thing: real connection. The songs are honest, the guitar is loud, and the heart is wide open—and that’s exactly how he intends to keep it.
Summer Camp ’96 with The Tale Untold
HYPOCRISY
Hypocrisy has over 30-year history with 12 albums, hundreds of gigs all over the world, and thousands of fans. This influential Swedish death metal band started from the will of one person, and this person’s name was (and is) Peter Tägtgren (Hypocrisy, The Abyss, PAIN, ex-Lindemann). Having made the first demos all by himself, after getting an offer from Nuclear Blast, he invited musicians to form an actual band. Since then, Hypocrisy gained success with their records and rocking live performances and evolved musically and conceptually. Heavy and rich sound with catchy melodic riffs, crushing drum fills, obscure lyrics and versatile vocal parts became a signature style of the band. Its discography from debut ‘Penetralia’ to the last for the moment ‘Worship’, through such legendary albums as ‘The Fourth Dimension’, ‘Abducted’, and ‘Virus’, is indeed a thrilling metal journey. A journey that continues. Today, apart from Peter, the band consists of Mikael Hedlund (bass), who joined Hypocrisy back in 1991, guitarist Tomas Eloffson is a session member since 2013. Henrik Axelsson (drums) joined the band as a session member in 2022. Don’t let the name ‘Hypocrisy’ trick you: Peter Tägtgren stays true to himself, to the music and the fans, never stops creating, and never settles for less than perfect.
TJS
Emerging in 2024 from Bellevue Nebraska , United States, TJS blends rock, indie rock, alternative rock, dance pop, synth pop, indie pop, pop and singer songwriter into a genre-defying sound. TJS is a Boston-based artist from Nebraska who blends synth pop energy with the emotion of folk pop. His sound combines electronic textures with an intimate, storytelling approach that captures both nostalgia and modern life. A student at Berklee College of Music, TJS brings a thoughtful sense of musicianship and sincerity to his performances, creating music that resonates with authenticity and heart.
Ghostlike
TERRAIN
Under the leadership of vocalist/guitarist Randall Mentzos, TERRAIN has spent the last decade-plus morphing from a scrappy pop-punk band to a solo acoustic project to its current form as a bombastic, charismatic prog-punk powerhouse. Fans of Proper., Bartees Strange, and Honey and Salt would enjoy TERRAIN’s sound. The band will tour the East Coast and Midwest this autumn to promote its upcoming album Chasm, which will be released this year.
Secret Formula
Cornfields aren’t the only things in Nebraska… Based in Omaha, Secret Formula is a 4-Piece Progressive Groove Rock band that emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic. From playing shows in bars and clubs, to their first theatre performance within a year of gigging, they have quickly become a staple in their local scene. With a formula of storytelling lyrics and free-flowing riffs and grooves, the band’s eclectic style and ever-expanding catalog of songs keeps audiences on their toes. After quickly finding their niche, Secret Formula has continued to connect with fans through music and blissful moments in time one can only experience by SEEKING FORM.