Celebrating Local Musicians
At Lavender Hill Farm, we believe every great evening of music begins at the local level. Our Local Ground Musicians bring live outdoor performances to the farm throughout the season, creating a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere for guests to gather, picnic, and connect.
Series ticket holders enjoy these preshow performances before main stage concerts, while visitors during Lavender Fest Fridays and our Fall Festival experience live music woven into their time on the farm. Performances take place in our beautiful outdoor amphitheater, where community and creativity come together.
By showcasing regional artists, we’re proud to support local talent while giving guests an opportunity to discover new voices and sounds in an intimate farm setting.
2026 Local Ground Lineup
Please learn about the 2026 Local Ground Musicians below. Stay tuned for changes and additions!
6pm on June 20, 2026, for The Series preshow
An Interlochen Arts Academy graduate and Berklee College of Music drop-out, Sierra spent her early twenties splitting time between Nashville, TN and her home state of Michigan, touring both as a solo act and fronting a trio.
In 2022 she released a string of singles written and recorded in Nashville that earned several big playlist placements and features in indie music blogs, being noted as “heart-ache to dance to.” Swirling around the edge of all things alternative, the first releases of i.am.james. are an unusual cocktail of captivating melodies and heart-bearing lyrics tied together in a sonically lush vibe. i.am.james. embarked on a lengthy summer tour in 2022 reaching crowds both large and small across the Midwest with acoustic versions of these releases.
After returning to her Northern Michigan roots in 2023, Sierra began recording her first full length project with the help of Michael Dause of TreeTone Studios. Recorded in a cottage deep in the snow covered woods of Northern Michigan, the project reflects this scene; intimate and transformative, drawing sonic influence from artists like Pinegrove, KT Tunstall, and Maggie Rogers. The project is a reflective of the contemporary folk and indie rock sound i.am.james. delivered while on a 2024 summer tour, with performances at major Michigan music festivals like Bliss Festival and Wheatland Music Festival.
6pm on June 27, 2026, for The Series preshow
11am on July 10, 2026, for Lavender Fest Friday
Owen James is one of Michigan’s premiere guitarists, specializing in unique virtuoso solo finger-style treatments of Jazz standards, Bossa Nova favorites, Folk/Americana tunes and Rock, Pop & Soul classics by artists such as Frank Sinatra, Miles Davis, Antonio Carlos Jobim, the Beatles, James Taylor, Prince, Sting and many more.
As a soloist or group member, Owen has performed at venues across the country, including The Grand Hotel (Mackinac Island), The Jazz Kitchen (Indianapolis) and the Mount Hood Jazz Festival (Oregon). In addition to being an in-demand performer, Owen is also an accomplished composer.
Ricky Hill
11am on July 3, 2026, for Lavender Fest Friday
6pm on August 22, 2026, for The Series preshow
6pm July 7 & 8, 2026, for The Series preshow
Ryan Cassidy’s show will take you on a musical journey. Prepare to hear songs you know and love, featuring the rock ‘n’ roll roots of the 1950’s, the British pop of the 60’s, the classic rock of the 70’s, the new wave of the 80’s, and the alternative of the 90’s. Ryan’s original music is often described as a blend of these genres and then some. Ryan is often joined live by his father, Mike Cassidy, providing backing vocals and percussion to the mix.
In 2020, Ryan was joined on a duet by Cherie Currie, frontwoman of the iconic 70’s rock band, The Runaways, alongside Joan Jett and Lita Ford. The song, “Small Price,” was written by Cassidy and features Sav Buist and Katie Larson of Michigan’s own The Accidentals on strings. Northern Express states that the song is “one of the loveliest music moments you’re likely to hear this year,” as well as placing Ryan’s debut album, Between Two Normals, in their list of Top 5 Albums Created by a Michigan Artist that year, with the likes of Billy Strings, The Accidentals, and Greta Van Fleet.
6pm on July 24, 2026, for The Series preshow
11am on July 24, 2026, for Lavender Fest Friday
Two Track Mind delivers songs you’ll recognize, but with a feel and interpretation that’s all their own. The style is best defined as Americana, yet their repertoire spans rock, country, bluegrass, and beyond- to keep it fresh, interesting and enjoyable.
This Petoskey, Michigan based duo is led by strong, rich vocal and guitar work of Dane Tollas, and rounded out by the unique mandolin work of Mark Marino.
Dane’s musical voyage started busking street corners in Colorado. Mark started as lead guitarist for several Detroit bands, before discovering the mandolin. Two Track Mind is the perfect label for these two diverse musical backgrounds coming together, and most of all, having too much fun in the process.
6pm on August 7, 2026, for Lavender Goes Pink
“Robin Lee Berry reflects northern Michigan’s feminine soul, blending themes of strength, courage, and vulnerability in her songs, all rendered with the spirit of awe and optimism.” –Robert Downes, Northern Express
“A voice like clear spring water gushing out from a deep place in the earth, it goes right to your heart.” –Greg Brown.
Seasoned, energetic, dynamic, rhythmic, intuitive blend of life experience, deep like spring water, lush sultry vocals flow powerfully to the marrow of the bone.
2002 Robin was included in Red House Record’s “Going Driftless; An Artists’ Tribute to Greg Brown”.
2015 created the theme song (Gone Wild) for Indi-Docu film “Young Hemingway The Path to Paris” (George Colburn).
6pm on August 15, 2026, for The Series preshow
Tana Denning and Fred Johnson have been playing as a duo for over seven years after meeting at a jam session. Tana teaches Suzuki piano at the MSU Community Music School and performs on fiddle and Celtic harp. Fred has played in numerous bands over the years on fiddle, guitar, and mandolin. They found common ground in the music they play and delight in sharing it with audiences at festivals, workshops, dances, farmers markets, and more.
6pm on September 5, 2026, for The Series preshow
Steel & Wood is a traditional bluegrass band based in Petoskey, Michigan. Members include John A. Neiswander of Petoskey on lead guitar and vocals, Irene Kazmers of Petoskey on fiddle, guitar and vocals, Dave Eggebrecht of Eastport on mandolin and fiddle, Paul Bachleda of Bay City, Higgins Lake and Petoskey on banjo, and John Belfy of Wolverine on upright bass.
We are thankful to have performed recently at venues such as Dunesville Music Festival in Interlochen, FarmFest in Johannesburg, Manton Bluegrass Festival, Leelanau Uncaged in Northport, Black Barn Farm Harvest Festival in Cross Village, Charlotte Ross Lee Summer Music Series in Petoskey, Stroll the Streets in Boyne City, Street Musique in Harbor Springs, Boyne City Harvest Festival, Kentuckians of Michigan in Romulus, Music by the Bay in St. Ignace, Music at Mackinaw in Mackinaw City, Concerts in the Park in Lyon Township (Higgins Lake), and hosted “Bluegrass by the Bay” jam sessions in Pennsylvania Park, as sponsored by Blissfest Music Organization, and others.
If you are interested in learning more about Local Ground, please contact us at music@lavenderhillfarm.com and put Local Ground in the subject line. The application deadline for the 2026 season is December 10, 2025. We look forward to hearing from you!
