The Cooperstown KOA’s second annual Campfire Jams Festival is taking place at the Cooperstown KOA Journey campground in Richfield Springs next weekend, September 5-6.
Seven bands total, spanning many subgenres within the country music space, will perform outside the campground barn to a lawn of campers and concertgoers.
The yearly tradition of Richfield Springs’ Campfire Jams Festival began last October with just four performers and one day of music. Now, these same four acts will return for this year’s second day of music on Saturday, while an additional three acts will take the stage Friday.
The festival kicks off Friday, September 5 at 2:00 p.m. with The Herring & The Hummingbird, followed by The Insolent Willies and Grit N Grace.
An Upstate NY native, The Herring & The Hummingbird is an independent singer/songwriter known for his reggae rock originals, which he plays at venues all across New York state.
The Insolent Willies, a four-piece roots-rock band, are also Upstate NY locals. They pride themselves on their unique originals and their self-proclaimed “weird and fun” covers of other artists’ tracks.
Friday’s closer, Grit N Grace, is a modern country and rock variety band from Central New York. Since their formation in 2011, they’ve covered tracks across genres, from country hits by Carrie Underwood and Chris Stapleton to rock anthems by Stevie Nicks and ZZ Top.
The music starts back up again at 11:00 a.m. Saturday with the same performers as last year’s festival, who were all enthusiastic to return. These acts include Billy Boucher’s Bluegrass Band, Hop City Hellcats, WailOn, and Grateful Upstate Toodeloo.
Billy Boucher’s Bluegrass Band, naturally, is a bluegrass band. Beyond that, though, they enhance their concerts with comedic storytelling and high-energy antics, creating a concert experience unlike anything else out there.
Hop City Hellcats is a country group from Oneonta led by singer/songwriter Randy Miritello, who has been touring since 2006 as part of the Horseshoe Lounge Playboys, the Hop City Hellcats, and as a solo act. The Hop City Hellcats is the most modern and innovative of his ventures, with inspirations coming from not only country, but also blues, rock, and rockabilly.
WailOn considers themselves to be “a tribute to real country,” as they specialize in the outlaw and country music of the 1970s. Throughout the Tristate Area and Massachusetts, they’ve performed tunes by Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, and more.
Grateful Upstate Toodeloo finishes out the weekend. This band brings together some of the most talented musicians from across Central New York to put creative spins on The Grateful Dead’s discography.
Those who reserve space at Cooperstown KOA Journey next weekend for a cabin, RV or tent site will receive 1 free ticket to the festival. Additional tickets, including for those not reserving space at the campground, can purchase tickets via Yapsody or at the door.
For more information, visit the Cooperstown KOA Journey website or Facebook page.
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