Jackie Venson

Jackie Venson on Hard Rock's Free County Music stage May 7

Contributed By:The 411 News

Get a taste of country music mixed with blues and rock when artists from Chicago and Texas kick off Hard Rock Casino's free concerts in May.

Friday, May 6, 2022
Ivy Ford – Council Oak Bar Stage – 8 p.m.
Ivy Ford, is a singer, musician, and entertainer. Waukegan born and raised, at 26 she is quite the up-and-coming artist of the Chicago blues and live music scene. Ivy Ford started performing live with Kenosha based band The Real Deal, managed by Steve Rainey at 13 and since then continues to nurture her niche and calling to the music. She plays piano, alto saxophone, drums, bass guitar and guitar which are primarily self-taught. In late 2012,

Ford joined a local blues band which in time evolved into Ivy Ford and The Cadillacs and gained fair amounts of popularity. Ford has since managed to take the Chicago scene by storm. In January,2015 Ivy Ford opened for the legend, Buddy Guy at his club in Chicago and continues to share the stage with Chicago blues hall of famers, J.B. Ritchie, Joe Moss, Toronzo Cannon and Tom Holland.

Josh Abbott Band – Hard Rock Café Stage – 9 p.m.
“My rearview don’t hold grudges or regrets,” Josh Abbott Band croons on “The Highway Kind,” the reflective title tract off their sixth studio album. The follow-up to 2017’s string and horn-infused Until My Voice Goes Out, the uplifting 10-track project finds lead singer Josh Abbott embracing life as a loving husband and doting father of two after 12 years as a road warrior and frontman of his country band

Recorded at Sonic Ranch in El Paso, The Highway Kind saw the Texas act team up with producer Marshall Altman (Marc Broussard, Frankie Ballard, Aaron Watson) for what Abbott dubs “the first real, true band album experience” that the seven-piece has recorded. The band hunkered down at the famed Texas studio for two weeks in mid-2019 where their musicianship evolved as they worked closely with Altman.

Saturday, May 7, 2022
Fletcher Rockwell – Council Oak Bar Stage – 8 p.m.
With classic Americana-tinged rock & roll steeped in the blue-collar charm of their hometown, Chicago’s Fletcher Rockwell has been building a loyal fanbase throughout the Midwest since 2009. While widely known for their original songs, the group is also revered for clever versions of the most popular cover music, spanning everything from vintage Tom Petty, Paul Simon and Talking Heads to contemporary roots revivalists Chris Stapleton, Dawes and Mumford & Sons.

Jackie Venson – Hard Rock Café Stage – 9 p.m.
Jackie Venson is a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter known for her beautifully complex music and blazing guitar skills. Born and raised in Austin, Texas, Jackie has played to crowds across the world. In April 2020, Jackie released a new EP titled "jackie the robot vol 1" composed entirely of remixes that re-imagine Jackie's critically acclaimed catalogue, showcasing her growth as both a musician and producer.

In October 2020, Jackie released 'Vintage Machine', her first studio follow up to 2019's 'Joy'. Music from 'Vintage Machine' was featured heavily on Jackie's taping for Austin City Limits' 46th season, and she released the full set on 'Live at Austin City Limits' in December 2020. Her latest album 'Love Transcends', released in September 2021, is her first collection of music to focus on a central genre- the blues. With the uncertainty of the times we're living in, one thing holds true for Jackie Venson- she's going to play her music, speak her truth, and spread as much joy as she can doing it.

Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana is located at 5400 West 29th Ave. in Gary. Visit https://www.hardrockcasinonorthernindiana.com or phone 219-228-2383

Story Posted:05/05/2022