Turkey River Music Fest announces 2023 headlining act

Tuesday, May 9, 2023 4:28 pm

2023 Turkey River Music Festival headliners Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown (TBTS). (Submitted)

The 2023 Turkey River Music Fest is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Aug. 4-5, with Friday night’s heavy metal line-up a unique attraction in the Driftless Region. This year’s offerings Friday include returning Rictus Grin, Dark Agenda, Guilty of Treason and Phoenix Curse, along with several new acts to the stage. Saturday offers a wide variety of musical styles, beginning with the traditional Joe and Vicki Price starting at 1 p.m., and returning act EF5, with a new slate of live musical acts playing every hour on the hour through the festival, up to the headliner act culminating the two-day festival of music at Saturday night at 10 p.m.

As the headliners for the 2023 Turkey River Music Festival at Spillville’s Riverside Park in this August, Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown (TBTS) are ready to bring the sultry blend of energetic rock steeped in low down blues to the Driftless Region. The group’s current lineup consists of Tyler Bryant (lead guitar & vocals), Graham Whitford (rhythm guitar), Ryan Fitzgerald (bass), and Caleb Crosby (drums).

Long before playing hundreds upon hundreds of shows and sharing the stage with countless venerable icons of their craft, the members of Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown were just wide-eyed, attentively mesmerized kids listening to records; knowing early on that music would guide their journeys through life. Perhaps it’s for that very reason that the last few years have urged them to ask a question that has become so ubiquitous in our culture, both in America and abroad: “What am I meant to do with my skills? How do I keep the enthusiasm of a kid hearing rock and roll for the first time alive?”

This passion fits right in with the Turkey River Music Fest. Organizer and founder of the Fest, Roman Lensing, stated, “We try to find bands whose music has a feel to it, an attitude, some heart and soul. Bands that you can tell are genuine and passionate about what they do and Tyler Bryant & the Shakedown exemplify these qualities.”

Although the band has shared the stage with artists such as AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses, Aerosmith and Jeff Beck, as well as making appearances at several rock-themed music festivals, one doesn’t get the sense that any of these guys are above driving all day, pushing their own cases and leaving it all on the stage when given the chance. This is a band that has something to prove and will go to great lengths to do so.

Hits shared in live performances include songs from their latest album featuring a distinctive blues influence “Shake The Roots” including “Ain’t None Watered Down,” “Ghostrider,” “Sell Yourself,” and many fan favorites. “Shake The Roots” is the bands fifth full-length album, released after “Rust N Roll” in 2021. It encompasses the energy of their live show and is a testament to the unwavering spirit of the Shakedown. It is evident that the band means it and wants it to mean even more to their fans.

Tickets and full event details are available at turkeyrivermusicfest.com. Limited RV spots are available at Riverside Park, call 563-380-0148 to reserve a camping space. Tent camping is available on a first-come, first serve basis.  

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