Main Stage Entertainment

Dave Zolo

About David Zollo & The Body Electric (Acoustic Show) 

Since bursting on to the midwestern music scene with the band High and Lonesome in 1992, David Zollo has had a busy career. Along with constant touring, in the U.S and Europe, with High and Lonesome (1992-1998;) and his current band, The Body Electric (1998-present) Zollo has recorded 7 releases of his own material, including the most recent, "For Hire.” The current iteration of the band is his longest running, all four members playing together for a decade or more. It consists of Brian Cooper (drums, percussion,) Ryan Bernemann (bass guitar, harmony vocals,) and Randall Davis (electric, acoustic, and pedal steel guitars,” all of whom are some of the most in-demand musicians in the state of Iowa.

In addition, he founded and operated the seminal, Iowa-based, roots music label, Trailer Records (Bo Ramsey; Joe and Vicki Price; Greg Brown; The Pines; Brother Trucker; Kelly Parkeooper; Pieta Brown, as well as his own work, and that of others, from 1994-2006;) played keyboards and sang harmonies on many records by Nashville folk singer Todd Snider; fellow Iowan William Elliot Whitmore, and Greg Brown, amongst many other artists; and worked as a producer (The Pines; Brother Trucker; Kelly Pardekooper.) In 2017, he also formed a new band with Whitmore, guitarists Stephen Howard and Steve Doyle, and Body Electric drummer Brian Cooper, called Middle Western. Their debut release, When Your Demons Are Under Ground And You’ve Got To Dig Them Up. was recorded at Lone Tree, Iowa’s Flat Black Studios, with Luke Tweedy, and was released in 2018. They are currently working on their second record, which should be available in 2023.

In 2017, David was asked to lead a delegation lobbying Senator Charles Grassley on behalf of the Allocation for Music Producers (AMP) Act. Introduced as House Resolution 881, it required a corresponding bill in the U.S. Senate. Accompanied by Daryl Friedman, from the RIAA, and children’s songwriter Justin Roberts, Zollo invited his friend, and Des Moines-based entertainment attorney, Brandon Clark, and the group met with Senator Grassley at a town hall meeting in Bloomfield, Ia. Since the only way they could get the meeting with the Senator was to have some of his constituents from Iowa there to speak, Zollo and Clark were the main drivers in what turned out to be a very successful visit. Grassley not only supported the bill, but he ended up co-sponsoring the Senate version, and in early 2018, the joint bill was passed as the Music Modernization Act. The meeting was such a success, that David Zollo has been asked to lobby Senator Grassley again, in 2020, and US Representative Ashely Hinson, also in 2020, for consideration of various topics of interest to the RIAA.

Despite the many things Zollo has done during his career, it is as a live performer that many feel he's at his best. Check him out at a venue near you, or visit www.davezollo.com for a list of upcoming shows.

Some of the Praise for David Zollo:

“Zollo…finds inspiration and creative freedom in the heartland of America. Clearly, he’s well served by it.” —Buzz McClain, The Washington Post

“…Uneasy Street takes its place amongst the work of Greg Brown, Bo Ramsey and Dave Moore, as the finest roots music to come out of the state of Iowa.” —No Depression Magazine

“Whiskey and piano keys are the fuel behind the honky-tonk-meets-roots-rock tour de force that follows Dave Zollo and The Body Electric wherever they roam.” —Zack Norton, The Pulse of the Twin Cities

“David Zollo is practically the patron saint of the roots music underground.” —Ethan Covey, 7 Days, Burlington, VT

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Genres: Roots Rock 

Trekfest 40 - Riverside Iowa

Molly Shannon

Molly Shannon- Singer/Musician

From the first strum, Molly will have you tapping your toes with a mix of classic country, rock, and pop hits—think Sweet Child of Mine, Livin’ on a Prayer, House of the Rising Sun, and more!

What makes this show even more exciting? Molly thrives on taking requests! If you’ve got a song in mind, she’ll grab her phone, look up the chords, and play just about anything she’s heard of. No two shows are ever the same, and you’ll love the surprises she pulls out of her musical hat.

Trekfest 40 - Riverside Iowa

Wonderful Smiths

Wonderful Smiths create original music that doesn’t paint within the lines. You’ll hear 60s jams, disco grooves, grinding guitars, and soulful vocals reminiscent of The Black Crowes, The Rolling Stones, or The Black Keys.

Started as a band while most musicians were in lockdown, Wonderful Smiths have gone on to play with regional, national and international acts like Evan Stock Band, Surf Zombies, Kevin Burt, and Kings and Associates. They are earning their place at the table of formidable, versatile original acts.

The band's first EP was released in spring 2024 and is available for streaming on most major platforms.

Genres: Independent, Soul, Vintage, Blues, Jam Rock, Retro-rock, Rock

Trophy Dads

About Trophy Dads

Most guys buy a corvette when they reach their 40’s. Not us. We formed a band and decided to melt faces instead!

The Trophy Dads are five dudes from Solon, Iowa that play a mixture of 80’s, 90s and 2000s rock. We bring high-energy that is guaranteed to get you off your feet and rocking out with us all night long!

Soccer moms love us. Their husbands want to be us. Join the Dad Rock Nation!

#dadrock

Genres: Alternative, Rock

Trekfest 40 - Riverside Iowa

Jake Mcvey

About Jake McVey

Music has the power to move the masses and few artists understand that better than Jake McVey. A relentless road dog who performs 250+ dates a year, McVey has earned a loyal fan base that’s addicted to his fiery stage show and arsenal of ear-grabbing songs.

A compelling performer who combines his upbeat music and a youthful enthusiasm with a seasoned eye for reading a crowd, McVey gives his all at every show. “It’s all about entertaining the fans and showing each and every person in the room a good time.” He’s shared the stage with some of country’s most acclaimed acts, including Blake Shelton, Thomas Rhett, Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Little Big Town, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, and Dierks Bentley.

With a chockfull touring calendar, growing social numbers, and new music that he’s gearing up to release, McVey has come a long way but hasn’t forgotten where he came from. “I’m just a good Iowa boy who likes to work hard,” he says with a grin. “I was brought up with a great work ethic. I was raised that when the sun is shining, it’s time to make hay. That’s just who I am. I love to work.”

McVey drew inspiration from personal challenges he’s faced this year to pen his new single, “Never Give Up,” though the song and video has now taken on an (initially) unintentional life of its own. “It isn’t just the big, tragic moments that can get you down, it’s the day-to-day that can get pretty heavy. From the small town farmer to the selfless service men and women, our communities are filled with hard workers who make sacrifices every day to play their important roles in our communities and within their own families.” The music video, where he plays a farmer and single father who’s struggling to support his family by day, and a volunteer fireman by night, is out now on Facebook, YouTube, and Vevo. McVey dedicates the video to first responders in hopes that they, too, will be inspired to push on and “Never Give Up.” “If I’ve learned anything this year, it’s that you just have to keep going. Through the good and the bad, you have to find what keeps you moving and just ‘never give up.’”

Genres: Country

Trekfest 40 - Riverside Iowa

TBD

More? Maybe.

Come back to find out.