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2026 HEADLINER - becks!
becks! is a queer singer-songwriter whose Appalachian roots ground their music to place, while pushing the envelope of what it means to 'belong' in the folk and old time scenes. Their family history of union organizing and three generations of 'card carrying communists' bring an edge to their live performances that ties in some of their more commercial catalogue with the history of the Appalachian region and their family's own resistances in the Ohio River Valley.
2026 OPENING ACT- MARK ROBERT CASH
Mark Robert Cash is a genre-bending singer, songwriter, actor, and activist making waves in Nashville's evolving music scene. Originally from the rugged corridor of Western Mountain Maryland, Cash’s artistic identity is deeply anchored in his upbringing in Northern Appalachia. Growing up in a region where bluegrass, traditional country, and gospel form the cultural bedrock, he absorbed the rich storytelling traditions and resilient spirit of the Appalachian people. The juxtaposition of small-town traditionalism with his journey as a queer youth forged the fierce individuality and raw emotional honesty that define his compelling southern soul queer country sound—an authentic blend of country, R&B, pop, and gospel.
Before pivoting fully to music, Cash captured the public's attention on stage and screen. He spent three seasons acting on ABC’s hit drama series Nashville, worked alongside Billy Ray Cyrus on Still The King, and appeared in music videos for prominent artists like Ashley McBryde, Katy Nichole, and Big Daddy Weave. In a significant career milestone, Cash also shared the screen with his long-time idol, Dolly Parton.
Raised as a church kid who grew up singing gospel, Cash developed his performative edge as a live emcee before diving into songwriting without formal musical training. Pulling inspiration from iconic vocalists like Whitney Houston, Reba McEntire, and Kelly Clarkson, he channels heavy emotional depth into a modern, groove-laden alternative.
● "Craving California" (2024): A summery, upbeat pop-country track written through the lens of heartbreak.
● "Feelings Lie" (2025): A deeply personal anthem about outgrowing childhood friendships. The single earned features from the Academy of Country Music, Holler, and Rissi Palmer's Color Me Country Radio.
● "From the Gutter" (2026): A powerful, soul-infused protest track and battle cry celebrating survival and pride.
As an openly queer artist, Cash uses his platform to champion individuality and grassroots change, regularly headlining central community events like Nashville Pride and Pride 615. His commitment to his adopted hometown shines through his work as the founder of Blankets on Broadway, a grassroots collective that has expanded from handing out blankets on lower Broadway into a city-wide effort providing food, clothing, and emergency tents to Nashville's unhoused population.
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